How to Raise Mealworms for Bluebirds

Mealworms are the larva of the darkling beetle, Tenebrio molitar. These small beetles infest stored grain, but they also make an easy-to-raise food source for a variety of insect-eating animals. You can purchase mealworms online or at local pet stores that sell supplies for reptiles. The mealworms will develop into pupa and finally into adult beetles. The adult beetles lay eggs in the medium, which hatch into baby mealworms.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic bin
  • Wheat bran
  • Knife
  • Potato
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Add approximately 2 inches of wheat bran to the bottom of a plastic bin. Other wheat or grain-based mediums can be used, but wheat bran is cheap and readily available.

    • 2

      Add the mealworms.

    • 3

      Cut a potato in half and place the halves on top of the wheat bran, cut side down. Apples, celery or other moist fruits and vegetables will also work.

    • 4

      Keep the mealworm colony between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It can also be kept at room temperature, but breeding will be slower at lower temperatures.

    • 5

      Remove the potato halves when they get dried out and replace them with fresh potato halves.