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Live Event 3/23/23

Buy high quality live mealworms from Midwest Mealworms

 

Midwest Mealworms Facebook Live Session: 3.23.23

Source: Excerpts from "Mealworms and More! 3.23.23 - Facebook Live"

I. Introductions & Housekeeping (0:00-5:00)

  • Justin Meyer, owner of Midwest Mealworms, welcomes viewers to the bi-weekly live Q&A session.
  • He introduces Brett, the newest team member, and discusses employee training processes.
  • The session is recorded and will be posted to the Mealworming Co-op Facebook group and YouTube channel.

II. Overpopulation & Beetle Management (5:00-15:00)

  • Addressing Shannon’s question, Justin explores the pros and cons of overpopulating beetle trays and feeding excess beetles to chickens.
  • He discusses the ideal substrate thickness (0.5-0.75 inches) for beetle trays and the importance of considering density when using different substrates like oats.
  • The concept of “retired beetles” is introduced, highlighting their potential for supplemental income and as a feeder source.

III. Mealworm Hatching and Development (15:00-25:00)

  • Justin provides insights into the visual cues of mealworm hatching, with movement noticeable around 2-3 weeks and visible larvae around 3-4 weeks.
  • He addresses Julie’s question about separating frass from young mealworms in mesh systems, suggesting waiting until larvae are large enough or temporarily removing trays to allow growth before sifting.
  • A discussion ensues about the best ways to hatch pupae, emphasizing the importance of humidity and providing techniques like creating microclimates and utilizing pupa bridges.

IV. Spraying vs. Veggies & Optimizing Mealworm Growth (25:00-45:00)

  • Justin tackles the question of spraying versus providing veggies, emphasizing both as valuable tools for providing moisture and nutrients.
  • He analyzes the pros and cons of each method, highlighting spraying as an efficient way to deliver moisture while veggies offer diverse nutrients.
  • The importance of removing uneaten food within 24-48 hours to prevent mold is stressed.
  • Justin explains their spraying regimen, adjusting the volume and frequency based on the age and size of the larvae.

V. Customer Base & Future Plans (45:00-55:00)

  • Justin discusses his customer base, acknowledging a large portion is comprised of bird stores and individual chicken owners.
  • He explains his hesitance in marketing towards fishermen due to the size and pupation tendencies of his mealworms.
  • Justin reveals his plans to explore oil extraction from mealworms and black soldier flies for future product diversification.

VI. Black Soldier Fly Updates & Quail Manure Experiment (55:00-1:00:00)

  • Justin updates viewers on his black soldier fly operation, including acquiring larvae and securing food waste sources.
  • He details his experiment using quail manure as a feed source for black soldier fly larvae, referencing a recent article and its potential for creating a closed-loop system.

VII. Mealworm Suet & Superworm Tips (1:00:00-1:10:00)

  • Justin offers advice on creating mealworm suet, suggesting dehydration to remove moisture and prevent spoilage.
  • He briefly discusses his experience with superworms, outlining methods for pupation and challenges with disease management.

VIII. Supplements & Growth Rate (1:10:00-1:20:00)

  • Addressing Muhammad’s question about growth rate, Justin explains the potential benefits and drawbacks of supplements.
  • He acknowledges that additional nutrients can decrease growth time but can also introduce costs and process complications.
  • Justin calls for further research and data analysis to understand the impact of supplements on mealworm development and nutrient content.

IX. Closing & Q&A (1:20:00-End)

  • Justin reiterates that the session will be posted online for future reference.
  • He encourages viewers to join future live sessions and participate in the Mealworming Co-op Facebook group for ongoing support.
  • The session concludes with a final Q&A.

Briefing Doc: Mealworm Farming Q&A with Justin Meyer

Source: "Mealworms and More!" Facebook Live session with Justin Meyer of Midwest Mealworms on March 23, 2023.

Main Themes:

  • Mealworm Colony Management: This session heavily focused on practical tips and techniques for managing mealworm colonies, covering topics like substrate depth, spraying versus veggie feeding, beetle culling, and dealing with tray shortages.
  • Mealworm Use and Markets: Justin discussed the various applications of mealworms, including as feed for chickens, quail, wild birds, and reptiles. He also touched upon his plans for expanding into black soldier fly farming and utilizing insect oils.
  • Challenges and Opportunities: The conversation highlighted challenges faced by mealworm farmers, such as disease in superworms and the need for efficient processes. It also explored opportunities like utilizing waste products (dead beetles, frass) and optimizing nutrition for faster growth.

Key Ideas and Facts:

Substrate:

  • Ideal substrate depth is around 0.5-0.75 inches. Thinner for dense substrates like oats.
  • Mealworms and beetles consume substrate, requiring regular replenishment.

Moisture:

  • Spraying provides efficient moisture distribution, particularly beneficial for younger larvae.
  • Spraying frequency and volume should be adjusted based on larvae age and environmental conditions.
  • Veggies offer diverse nutrients but require more labor and can lead to mold if not consumed quickly.
  • Water gel crystals offer a balance between convenience and nutrition.

Beetle Management:

  • Midwest Mealworms culls beetles at 8-9 weeks (2-2.5 months) to optimize egg production and minimize cannibalism.
  • "Retired" beetles can still lay eggs and provide a valuable feed source.

Superworms:

  • Superworms are efficient at consuming food waste but prone to diseases like densovirus.
  • Separation for pupation is crucial for consistent results but challenging on a larger scale.

Other Notable Points:

  • Mealworm frass can contain eggs and hatchlings, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity.
  • Experimenting with various supplemental feed sources could potentially improve mealworm growth, fecundity, and survivability.
  • Utilizing waste products like dead beetles and pupae for feed is a promising area of exploration.

Quotes:

  • "Ideally from like a hatching um and just from a environment perspective the thicker you get in your substrate the more that substrate is going to become a heat sink"
  • "I personally don't like to ask somebody to do something that I won't do or don't do so it is what it is."
  • "Spray versus veggies I started spraying because that is a very quick process and it gets them the moisture they need um and they get the nutrition that they need from the wheat brand."
  • "They'll eat styrofoam and Survive and Thrive and do just fine so do they need that nutrition and does it does it affect um what's in them uh I don't know the answer to that one"
  • "Superworms are not meant to be densely populated and in order for them to be at all productive and profitable from a use perspective or business perspective um you need to to densely populate them uh and they're very prone to getting diseases"
  • "Find a really good way to to do your pupation process to separate them out um the latest thing I tested was prescription pill bottles because they were nice and tall and skinny skinny"

Overall Impression:

This live session provided valuable insights into the practical realities of mealworm farming, balancing theoretical ideals with the need for efficiency and profitability. Justin's willingness to share his experiences, both successes and failures, along with his openness to experimentation and future opportunities, makes this briefing document a valuable resource for anyone interested in mealworm production.

Midwest Mealworms FAQ

About Mealworm Farming

1. What is the ideal substrate thickness for beetles?

Ideally, aim for a substrate thickness of ½ to ¾ inch. Thinner layers may be preferable for heavier substrates like oats. While a thicker layer might seem beneficial, it can become a heat sink and make it difficult for beetles to lay eggs.

2. How often and how much should I spray my mealworms?

Spraying should start a week after a beetle swap, misting lightly on younger trays and increasing volume as trays age. The goal is to provide moisture without causing mold. Spray enough so that the moisture is absorbed within 24-48 hours, typically 3 times per week.

3. What are the pros and cons of spraying versus providing vegetables?

Both methods provide moisture. Spraying is a quick and efficient way to distribute moisture evenly. Vegetables offer varied nutrients and help reduce food waste. However, they can introduce inconsistencies, require more labor to process, and increase the risk of mold or contamination.

4. How do you separate frass from mealworms in a mesh system where eggs and hatchlings are constantly falling through?

Wait until the mealworms are large enough to be retained by the mesh before sifting. If immediate frass removal is necessary, accept the loss of some hatchlings. You can minimize losses by placing the sifted frass in a separate container to allow hatchlings to grow before re-sifting or collecting them.

Mealworm Life Cycle and Behaviors

5. How long does it take to see movement and visible mealworms after eggs are laid?

You can observe substrate movement, indicating hatchlings, in about 2-3 weeks. Visually seeing mealworms takes about 3-4 weeks under optimal conditions. Cooler temperatures or lower humidity can extend this timeframe.

6. What is the best way to allow pupae to hatch?

Pupae need good humidity to hatch successfully. This can be achieved by creating a microclimate in a drawer with a lightly misted paper towel. Alternatively, a pupa bridge can be used in a beetle tray to provide a safe hatching space above the substrate.

7. At what age do you cull your beetles?

Beetles are typically culled after 8-9 weeks (2-2.5 months) when they have laid the majority of their eggs. While they may continue producing afterward, the output significantly decreases. Experimenting with housing older beetles at higher densities could yield more eggs if you have the space.

8. Can I make suet cakes for birds using mealworms?

Yes, you can incorporate mealworms into suet cakes for a protein boost. Make sure to remove moisture from the mealworms by freezing, dehydrating, or microwaving to prevent spoilage. Distribute the dried mealworms evenly throughout the suet to mask any discoloration and make it more appealing to birds.