Frass
Welcome to the awesome world of mealworm frass! Check out the commonly asked questions below, if you have questions let me know : justin@midwestmealworms.com
Q: What is frass?
A: Frass is the excrement of a mealworm - it's poop! Unlike animal manure, mealworm frass is dry (only 10% moisture content) and ready to use once collected.
Q: Does mealworm frass smell?
A: Unlike animal manure, there is no foul smell to mealworm frass. It is very benign, and will be unnoticed even when used indoors.
Q: Can I use frass indoors?
A: Definitely! There are no pesticides or herbicides in my mealworm frass, it is safe to handle and use indoors. The only thing to be aware of is a slight chance of allergies - overexposure can cause allergies, slight exposure could trigger already existing allergies.
Q: How long does it last?
A: It is shelf stable in moderate humidity and temperature settings for a year.
Q: How far will a pound of frass go?
|
Application Method |
Frass Amount to Use |
1 Pound Pouch |
10 Pound Box |
50 Pound Bulk |
|
Pre-Mix |
1 Cup per cubic foot of soil |
4.5 cubic ft of soil |
450 cubic ft of soil |
2250 cubic ft of soil |
|
Foliar Feed |
4 teaspoons frass per gallon |
72 applications |
720 applications |
3600 applications |
|
Compost Tea |
2 teaspoons per gallon, 2 cups per 15 gallons |
145 applications (in 1 gallon batches) |
22 applications (in 15 gallon batches) |
113 applications (in 15 gallon batches |
|
Top Dress |
1 tablespoon per plant, 1 pound per 20 sq ft |
20 sq ft |
200 sq ft |
1000 sq ft |
Q: How do you collect your frass?
A: Using a 1/30" mesh sifter and a vibration machine, the mealworms, substrate, and frass are sifted. The mesh sifter catches a bulk of the substrate and all the mealworms, what comes out the other end is frass! No other alterations are done to the frass.
Q: How do I use frass?
A: Please note: these are recommendations, your requirements may be different depending on your specific use and environment factors.
For best results, pre-mix into a growing media or soil when planting. If plants or already started, mix frass with water and apply as a root drench. Frass can also be applied as a top dressing, in hydroponic systems, as a foliar spray, and into transplanting holes.
Application Rates (only suggestions, modify for your specific use case)
| Transplanting | Add a pinch of Frass under the roots. |
| Pre-Mix | Add 1 cup of Frass per cubic foot (or 7 gallons) of planting media prior to planting. It should be less than 1% by volume. Beginning in week 2, Top Dress or Compost Tea every 2 weeks. |
| Hydroponics | Add 2 cups of Frass per 30 gallons of water (strain for drip systems). Top dress any grow media (Coco, Clay Pellets, etc.) Add directly to reservoir for ebb and flow or flood to drain systems. |
|
Top Dress |
Sprinkle over root zone and water in immediately. 1 pound per 20 sq ft, 1 tablespoon per plant, every 2 weeks. |
| Foliar Feed | Add 4 teaspoons of Frass for each gallon of water (1 teaspoon per quart). Shake and let sit for 30 minutes. Strain and apply. |
| Compost Tea | Add 2 cups per 15 gallons of tea (2 tablespoons per gallon) to achieve a fungal dominant tea. Apply as a root drench. |
Q: Where can I buy more amazing frass?