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The next shipping day is Jan 6. Shipping will be canceled if temperatures are too low. If temps are below freezing Jan 7–10, consider not ordering
Cart 0

Live Event 4/11/23

Buy high quality live mealworms from Midwest Mealworms

  

Mealworm Farming Co-op Live Session: April 11, 2023

I. Introduction and Housekeeping (0:00 - 5:00)

  • Justin welcomes viewers, introduces himself and co-admins, and explains the purpose of the bi-weekly live session.
  • He mentions his expanding operations into Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) alongside mealworm farming and welcomes questions on both.
  • Justin establishes a hard stop time of 3:00 PM for deliveries.

II. Responding to Viewer Questions (5:00 - 45:00)

A. Temperature and Mealworm Production (5:00 - 10:00)

  • Responding to Wally's question about the impact of warmer temperatures on mealworm production, Justin advises against excessively high heat.
  • He explains that while heat generally promotes activity and growth, temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit can be risky, potentially cooking trays and requiring constant AC use.
  • He emphasizes the importance of maintaining lower temperatures to allow for adjustments and prevent catastrophic colony loss.

B. The Emotional Aspect of Feeding Mealworms to Chickens (10:00 - 12:00)

  • Justin addresses Debbie's comment about the emotional struggle of feeding self-raised mealworms to chickens.
  • He acknowledges the empathy and connection farmers develop with their mealworms, comparing it to raising other livestock.

C. Shipping Considerations and Sustainability (12:00 - 18:00)

  • Justin discusses exploring various ice pack options for shipping mealworms and BSFL during hot weather.
  • He outlines a potential system for reusing ice packs to minimize waste and offer customer credits.

D. Separating Beetles from Pupae (18:00 - 21:00)

  • Justin provides advice to Vicky on improving beetle separation from pupae using paper towels.
  • He suggests a single layer of pupae with additional paper towels for beetle hiding spaces, mimicking their natural habitat.
  • He also suggests feeding leftover pupae and beetles to poultry.

E. Dust Extraction and Mask Alternatives (21:00 - 33:00)

  • Justin addresses Yasik's question regarding dust extraction in the farm to avoid wearing a face mask.
  • He emphasizes the need for thorough testing and air quality monitoring before going maskless due to the risk of frass allergies and asthma.
  • He shares his experience with new, lighter mask cartridges and encourages finding comfortable mask options for long-term health.

F. New Container Testing (33:00 - 45:00)

  • Justin showcases new clear containers with “waffle lids” and paper filters for improved ventilation and consumer visibility.
  • He discusses the pros and cons, highlighting the durability of the new containers while acknowledging the challenges with fitting lids on thinner containers.
  • He also shares his experiments with paper cups for fishing bait, emphasizing the need for a secure lid to prevent escape.

III. Maintaining and Expanding Mealworm Colonies (45:00 - 50:00)

  • Justin answers Vicky's question on the number of mealworms to hold back for colony maintenance and expansion.
  • He recommends holding back 10-15% for maintenance and increasing to 20-25% for expansion, highlighting the importance of sustaining the colony.

IV. Gluten-Free Substrate Options (50:00 - 55:00)

  • Justin responds to Keith's query about gluten-free substrates for mealworms in a bird shop setting.
  • He suggests cornmeal as a potential option and encourages experimentation with different coarse grinds for optimal results.

V. Mites, Moisture, and Cannibalism (55:00 - 1:03:00)

  • Justin engages in a discussion about mites, moisture control, and the surprising possibility of mealworms consuming mites as a moisture source.
  • He expresses his intrigue about the topic and seeks research or evidence to support the claim, while remaining cautious about intentionally introducing mites.

VI. Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) and Food Waste Update (1:03:00 - 1:08:00)

  • Justin provides a brief update on his BSFL operation, highlighting the success of feeding food waste to neonates.
  • He discusses his plans for dedicated trays and collection systems, expressing excitement about the project's progress.

VII. Closing Remarks and Future Sessions (1:08:00 - 1:09:00)

  • Justin thanks viewers for their participation and insightful questions.
  • He mentions reviewing comments for any missed questions and announces upcoming sessions on different days and times to accommodate various schedules.

Briefing Doc: Mealworm Farming Co-op Facebook Live Session 4.11.23

Main Themes:

  • Seasonal Challenges: The discussion focused on the challenges of mealworm farming in warming weather, specifically shipping and maintaining ideal temperatures for the colony.
  • Waste Reduction: Justin emphasized his commitment to sustainability, exploring reusable ice packs for shipping and finding ways to repurpose pupae and beetles.
  • Dust Mitigation: A significant portion of the conversation revolved around managing frass dust, with a focus on the necessity of masks, alternative mask options, and the potential for dust extraction systems.
  • Alternative Substrates: The group discussed gluten-free substrate options for bird shops and the challenges of using oats.
  • Mite Control: A surprising revelation emerged about the potential for mealworms to control mite infestations by consuming them as a source of moisture.
  • New Product Testing: Justin showcased new clear containers with waffle lids for improved visibility and ventilation, as well as his ongoing experiments with paper cups for eco-friendly packaging.
  • Black Soldier Fly Larva (BSFL) Update: Justin shared exciting progress on his BSFL operation, including successful food waste trials and plans to expand his setup with dedicated trays and collection systems.

Most Important Ideas/Facts:

  • Shipping in Heat: Justin is researching sweat-proof ice packs and exploring a system to reuse ice packs with customer cooperation.
  • High Heat Not Always Ideal: While mealworms thrive in warmer temperatures, consistently high temperatures can be risky for the colony. Justin recommends running farms at a slightly lower temperature (78 degrees F) to provide a safety margin.
  • Repurposing Pupae and Beetles: Pupae and beetles can be fed to poultry and potentially geckos. Pupae have higher protein content than larvae.
  • Dust Extraction: While dust extractors could be helpful, they require careful consideration due to airflow, temperature regulation, and the need for air quality sensors.
  • Mask Alternatives: Justin is testing new, lighter respirator cartridges that offer improved comfort and potentially less allergy triggering.
  • Mite Control Through Consumption: Mealworms may naturally control mite populations by eating them as a source of moisture when deprived of other sources. More research is needed to confirm this.
  • BSFL Success: Justin's food waste trials with BSFL are yielding positive results, with plans to expand his BSFL operation and potentially launch a food recycling program.

Key Quotes:

  • On Heat and Risk Mitigation: "I'm not gonna sacrifice the short term to get better production now with the potential risk of just everything getting wiped out."
  • On Empathy for Mealworms: "Sometimes that's difficult 100 100 percent uh Wally cryo packs for shipping um something like that so many moons ago uh I tested at some point just some random ice packs"
  • On Mask Necessity: "Wearing wearing the mask is rough but if you want to do this for the long term it's an absolute necessity."
  • On Mite Control: "I don't want to get mites but I this blows my mind huh so the larva will cannibalize each other so they'll eat insects huh"
  • On Sustainable Packaging: "I'm very big on trying not to introduce wasteful things into the process so that's also part of the the packaging shipping criteria that I have."
  • On BSFL Progress: "The food waste stuff blows my mind with the soldier fly but anyway um we can talk about that if you guys have questions about it."

Overall Impression:

The session was a lively discussion with practical tips, insightful observations, and a surprising revelation about potential mite control. Justin's commitment to sustainable practices and his excitement about the potential of BSFL were evident. He actively engaged with the community, addressing concerns and offering advice based on his experience. This session highlights the collaborative nature of the Mealworm Farming Co-op and its value as a resource for both novice and experienced farmers.

Mealworm Farming FAQ

Q: Will warmer temperatures benefit mealworm production?

A: While mealworms prefer warmer temperatures, excessively high heat is not ideal. While temperatures around 85 degrees Fahrenheit may promote activity and growth, it's crucial to maintain a slightly lower temperature, around 78 degrees Fahrenheit, to mitigate risks. This provides a buffer in case of equipment failure, such as AC outage, allowing time to address the issue before temperatures reach a critical point.

Q: Is it normal to feel hesitant about feeding my home-raised mealworms to my chickens?

A: It's completely understandable to feel hesitant about feeding your mealworms to your chickens, especially after dedicating time and effort to raising them. The emotional connection developed while caring for them can make it difficult to ultimately use them for their intended purpose. Many experience this feeling of empathy towards creatures they've raised, even if it's for a specific purpose.

Q: What are the best practices for getting beetles out of the pupa stage?

A: To effectively separate beetles from pupae, use a single layer of pupae in the container and cover them with a double layer of paper towels. Adding a half sheet of paper towel on top can encourage beetles to seek shelter between the layers, making collection easier. Any remaining beetles can be fed to poultry or quail.

Q: Is a dust extractor necessary for a mealworm farm?

A: While a dust extractor can help remove frass and improve air quality, it's crucial to consider the added complexity of maintaining temperature and airflow. A high-quality respirator mask with appropriate filters is essential for protecting yourself from the potential health risks associated with frass inhalation.

Q: What are some alternative substrates to wheat bran for mealworms, particularly gluten-free options?

A: Cornmeal is a gluten-free option that has been successfully used as a mealworm substrate. Other options include ground oats (for those with celiac disease), rice bran, and split pea flour. Experiment with small quantities to see what works best for your colony.

Q: What's the best way to deal with a mite infestation in a mealworm colony?

A: Traditional methods involve removing moisture sources and reducing humidity to create an unfavorable environment for mites. However, a new approach suggests that introducing more mealworm larvae to the infested tray might be effective. The theory is that mealworms will consume mites as a source of moisture. More research is needed to confirm this method's effectiveness.

Q: How many mealworms should be held back for breeding to maintain or expand a colony?

A: To maintain your current colony size, hold back 10-15% of harvested mealworms for pupation. If you're looking to expand your colony, increase this percentage to 20-25%. Remember that these are conservative estimates; the actual number may vary depending on your colony's health and pupation success rates.

Q: Are there any updates on using black soldier fly larvae for food waste management?

A: The use of black soldier fly larvae for food waste management is showing promising results. Larvae readily consume various food scraps and produce nutrient-rich compost as a byproduct. Continued research and development in this area are focusing on optimizing collection methods and expanding the program's reach.