Superworm breeding 101

[Vegas Chad]

Ok, so I want to start breeding these things simply because I am tired of buying them in bulk. Like my roaches (Damn, the hissers breed like crazy!!!) I would rather breed them myself and save that money.

So, I would like to get this thread going on how to breed and keep superworms 101. I know that located somewhere on this forum are random talks about how to do it, but I did not find a thread on this topic itself. I was hoping that Brad and other bug keepers could pipe in with how they keep them…

What do you keep them in? Shoebox?
What kind of substrate?
Food?
Temp?
Water?
Breeding cycle and duration?

Stuff like that…

 

[brandaleon]

What do you keep them in? Shoebox?
What kind of substrate?
Food?
Temp?
Water?
Breeding cycle and duration?

Stuff like that…

A good enclosure for the superworms is one that they cannot eat thru i.e. plastic rubbermaid.
A good substrate is oatmeal.
Food is the oatmeal and carrots for water. Of course for gut loading a good cricket food is suffice.
Temps I keep them in is room temp, but for breeding maybe 75-80.
In order to breed you need to first speed the life cycle up. The worms will stay worms for months. You need beetles to reproduce. Here's how this works. You need to get some type of enclosure that separates each one(worm) individually i.e. photo film canisters or sewing boxes with partitions. Put one worm in each container and then set the in a dark place for two wks. After two wks. check them. What you should see are a type of mutation, their larvae kinda looks like an alien, this is normal. At this point remove any that appear dead (signs of this are black worms), and if there are still any live worms give them more time, it will happen. once all have mutated to larvae wait another two wks until you see beetles, check periodically for so that you can remove beetle promptly. Once you have beetles put them together(beetles only) in a similar container as the worms, include egg crate or paper towel rolls and water source. Then give them time to do their thing. You should probably move the beetles into a new container every month on rotation The beetles will eat the baby worms. Their is also information on this topic @Dr. gecko.com

 

[Matt s]

A good enclosure for the superworms is one that they cannot eat thru i.e. plastic rubbermaid.
A good substrate is oatmeal.
Food is the oatmeal and carrots for water. Of course for gut loading a good cricket food is suffice.
Temps I keep them in is room temp, but for breeding maybe 75-80.
In order to breed you need to first speed the life cycle up. The worms will stay worms for months. You need beetles to reproduce. Here's how this works. You need to get some type of enclosure that separates each one(worm) individually i.e. photo film canisters or sewing boxes with partitions. Put one worm in each container and then set the in a dark place for two wks. After two wks. check them. What you should see are a type of mutation, their larvae kinda looks like an alien, this is normal. At this point remove any that appear dead (signs of this are black worms), and if there are still any live worms give them more time, it will happen. once all have mutated to larvae wait another two wks until you see beetles, check periodically for so that you can remove beetle promptly. Once you have beetles put them together(beetles only) in a similar container as the worms, include egg crate or paper towel rolls and water source. Then give them time to do their thing. You should probably move the beetles into a new container every month on rotation The beetles will eat the baby worms. Their is also information on this topic @Dr. gecko.com

Very good advice, What I use to seperate my beetles is at wal-mart they sell these hot wheels car carriers and they hold 48 cars. There the best thing I have found. It took my 3 weeks to see 2mm long worms in the tub with beetles.

 

[Matt s]

By the way I use a 3 drawer plasic file system they sell at like target.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

By the way I use a 3 drawer plasic file system they sell at like target.

Mine are in the same sterilite container

-Brad

Edit: Okay...I've got a link here somewhere....Ahhh here: http://www.iaherp.org/superworms/

 

[lonomac]

Good info. Looks like its almost like breeding mealworms, just takes longer and needs more space.

 

[lonomac]

How long do the beetles live about? I was reading that they die eventually after breeding like it was suggesting that removing them wasn't really needed after the eggs hatch. Just wondering if its necessary.

 

[DarkRapture]

How long do the beetles live about? I was reading that they die eventually after breeding like it was suggesting that removing them wasn't really needed after the eggs hatch. Just wondering if its necessary.

apparently from what i've read, the beetles can live for months! you need to feed them gutload and veg just like you do the larvae. rotate them into a new container each month as the eggs will hatch. plastic 3 drawer is awesome for this, just drill a couple tiny holes near the top for ventilation. the parts drawers are great for turning the larvae into beetles as are what others have mentioned.

 

[Chase]

What do you keep them in? I keep them in an old fish tank. I think its 5 Gallon

What kind of substrate? I put Oatmeal and Cornflakes on the bottom. No sugar in them.

Food? PM me and I'll send you a recipe that is awesome.

Temp? I have them at 70 but then 90 degrees. They turn into beetles then breed. I wouldn't recamend doing that because it happens on accident.

I have answered in Red. Hope this helps Chad.

 

[jack frost]

can we get a picture or link of the three drawer file.

 

[jack frost]

Mine are in the same sterilite container

-Brad

Edit: Okay...I've got a link here somewhere....Ahhh here: http://www.iaherp.org/superworms/

great link! I was wondering thou where did he get 1,000 35mm film canisters?