Superworm Question

[kimbasmom]

I read the stickied thread on superworms, but do have a question on switching them out. How do you keep from getting overrun with bins? I'm pretty limited on space. Figured I'd use an old 10g to house the adult/feedable supers. But didn't know how many other bins I'd need (and need to heat).

I got some for Kimba earlier in the week as a change of pace (I have two roach bins) and he loved the supers. So thinking this would be a good way to vary his live food.

Thanks!

 

[clear]

When I was breeding superworms I used the storage bins with multiple level drawers. This really saved one space.

 

[Claudiusx]

When I was breeding superworms I used the storage bins with multiple level drawers. This really saved one space.

That is what I have always used.
You don't need huge bins for them.

-Brandon

 

[kimbasmom]

Thanks. My concern would be the superworms getting out (and the kitties getting in). But maybe I worry too much. LOL! How do you heat one of those storage bins?

 

[Claudiusx]

I don't heat mine.

But then again, they are in a closet with my dubia bin and the air in the closet stays about 80-81 degrees.

-Brandon

 

[Trogdorpheus]

Mine don't get heat either. I have 4 bins. 2 for large worms, 1 for little worms, and 1 for beetles. I try to keep them all together by size so its easier to feed, and also you minimize cannibalism.

 

[kimbasmom]

Mine don't get heat either. I have 4 bins. 2 for large worms, 1 for little worms, and 1 for beetles. I try to keep them all together by size so its easier to feed, and also you minimize cannibalism.

Okay, so like you dump the eggs/little worms into the one bin and then sift them out every so often and move them into the large worm bins? You're in IL, and I'm in IA...can I ask like what temp do you keep your house at? We're usually 68 in the winter and 72/74 in the summer, but I read that supers need heat like to 85?. I don't have any closet space really, but I could probably keep them in a cupboard...

 

[Trogdorpheus]

Actually the eggs and small worms are way to small to get them out of the bin at first, so what I do is move the beetles to an empty tub, wait 3-4 weeks for the eggs and smaller worms to hatch/gain a little bit of size then move them into my small worm bin. By then its time to move beetles again, so I'll consolidate my larger worms to get a small tub again, so I'll move beetles to the now empty tub and wait another 3-4 weeks. Then I'll combine the 2 most recently beetle-vacated small worm tubs to empty one of them again...

Very confusing, I know. But basically I just keep the different sizes that won't eat each other together, and leave everything else separated until they're big enough to hold their own.

And I actually live in IN now, but its basically the same climate as IL. I have my apartment's T-stat set at 78, and it may drop lower in the winter but I also have a small heat pad that I can use with my bugs to keep them from getting too cold.

 

[MrWhite]

ok, so I've been wondering the same thing as the OP. sounds like 4 to 6 bins will be enough to get going, but, what size bins(dimension wise). I'd like to start the whole process as my guy is large enough and can start eating them.

- I'm also wondering if I need to get fancy with the substrate. Looks like Brandon uses straight rolled oats for his substrate.
- if I morph about 100 beetles, do they all go in the same bin? or is 100 too many for one bin?

I may have to re-read that superworm breeding guide again.

 

[Claudiusx]

Actually my substrate is half ground up oats, half normal oats. It just looks like mainly oats because I dumped some extra in there because it seemed like they didn't have enough substrate.

I just put oats in a coffee grinder I bought, and grind and grind lol.
I would put all of the beetles in the same bin.

-Brandon

 

[Claudiusx]

Here are some pictures to explain better my substrate.

-Brandon

 

[MrWhite]

what size bins are those?

 

[Claudiusx]

Well, its one of those 3 stacking drawer things I got at walmart, The dimensions of the whole thing is aprox. 14x12x25 inches.

So I would say that each bin is about 7-8 inches tall, and 14 inches long, 12 wide.

-Brandon

 

[Trogdorpheus]

I get by with 4 of the plastic shoebox tubs. I have venting slits cut into the top, and I like to use all whole oats so then I know when to change substrate. If you have a bunch of ground oats too, its a little harder to distinguish between superworm waste and the ground oats. I typically only keep 50-60 beetles at a time though.

 

[Claudiusx]

The ground oats are really a light color, superworm waste is darker. Once the substrate starts getting noticeably darker than lighter, I change it.

You definitely don't have to grind up the oats Larry, I do just because for some reason I think they eat it more when its ground lol. Of course this is just an asumption and not based on fact, but its what i've always done so I shall stick to it :mrgreen:

-Brandon