Ok, there have been posts about raising mealworm farms but not much about waxworm farms. How do we start a waxworm farm? We have ten gliders here, soon to be 12, and a short time later, we will have another one added to our haven. I LOVE feeding waxworms to our gliders, as they are so much fun to watch when offered waxworms. I know about their high fat content, but once in a while they delight in these waxworms. I am aware that the waxworms morph into moths. Is there some kind of bedding or food that waxworms/moths eat? Also, my husband uses waxworms as fishbait. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


Jen

I printed out some information a while back about a waxworm farm, but haven't actually used it so far. If I can find it or find where I found it online I'll post about it. I believe the info. stated to put them in an aquarium with bedding made from honey and bran cereal? Also, you'll have to have a screen for the top of the aquarium. That's about all I remember, but if I find the info. I'll post more. I wanted to try it so I could feed them the moths. I bet they'd love that. I may give this idea of a waxie farm another shot if I can find that info. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Found it!

1.Buy Waxies.
2.Prepare a 3-5 gallon tank with screen lid.
3.For substrate get some bran and honey. Mix it dry. If you can get bees wax grate it into the mix. Crumble mix into the tank.
4.Put the waxies in the tank.
5.Add a few crumpled balls of wax paper.
6.Keep waxies at room temperature. They will eventually begin to spin cocoons. Moths will emerge from cocoons approx. two weeks.
7.Moths will mate and live for about a week and then lay eggs in the wax paper.
8.After a couple of weeks the moths will be dead and you'll see lots of tiny worms. They grow fast, so put them in the fridge with some of the substrate and a container with air holes once they reach half of their normal size. If left at room temp. the cycle will begin again.
9.Make sure the top is secure because the worms hatch very small and will escape.

I hope that helps, Pix! I can't remember the site I found these instructions on, so I changed the wording around to prevent copywriting. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I found the Neatest thing I'm going to use for the waxies. It's a bit costly at first but it'll be well worth it if it wirks. Someone PM me please so I can remember when I get to a comp with my links on it?

Thanks, SugarMama, for the neat info!!! sounds simple enough to me!


Jen

It sounds much more simple then mealies! I tried farming mealies but the stink got to me. That reminds me, time to order more!