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Mainly so I have easy access to it.

Originally Posted by Matt K

Ok, this is the easy how-to pictoral version:

STEP 1: Place superworm in isolation of anykind. I use lots of different containers, but for simplicity lets use a tiny Gladware deli cup with a few holes in the lid like so:



STEP 2: After a couple of weeks the worm will molt into a pupae, darken, then hatch into a rust colored beetle that becomes black. Put all the beetles together into a tub with an inch or two of substrate. Some people like potting soil, I prefer the cleaner cypress mulch used here. Potting soil and/or coconut products work great also:


NOTE: The adult beetles will not climb smooth surfaces and will not fly out. However any object in the tub that they can climb, they will. So I do not put a lid on the tub.

STEP 3: Then feed them fish food pellets. Wheat germ fed to them seems to increase the number of worms, but is also expensive as a food item. In either case, also toss in a piece of fresh fruit or veg. I occasionally toss in the core of the apple I ate, melon rind, etc., carrot, just for kicks:



NOTE: I add food to one side of the tub, and just pour in water on the other side of the tub every week or so. Occasionally I night mist or water the whole thing.

NEXT STEP: After a few weeks go by you may begin to see a few tiny threads moving in the substrate. I leave the beetles in until either (1) they die off or (2) I start to see moving threads, then move the adults to another fresh tub to lay eggs in.



After you take out the adults and keep feeding/watering, then presto!



NOTE: The brown stuff that appears to be soil is frass generated from chewing on the substrate material and of course, eating the food I put in. It makes pretty good plant food! Despite all the frass these beetles are virtually odorless to maintain. When the substrate has more or less been converted into frass then I pour it through a kitchen sieve/strainer to sift out the worms adn pop them into a tub of fresh substrate. Toss the frass onto a lawn and it will grow better. fyi.