Chitin : best source and benefits

Kind024

In Bloom
Thanks brother, glad it made sense.

Wheat bran can usually be sourced from a local feed store. I get a 40lb sack for about $36.

As for the Darkling beetles (mealworm beetles), they can be ordered from Northwest Redworms. If he doesn't have them in stock I could help you out depending on how many you need. His worm castings are the best on the market too...imho. Nobody does composting and castings like that guy!

Another thing about the mealworms. Specifically the pupae...keep the pupae in their own bin. (I like to use an upside down bin lid. Also, the bins I use are 28qt translucent storage bins. They can be sourced a Wally World for $5-6.) The beetle's will eat the pupae too. I put a thin layer of bran on the lid with the pupae on top. The pupae are stimulated by moisture. So I lightly mist chlorine free watering over the top of them once or twice a day depending on the humidity in the house. I get about 30-50 new beetles every day out of each lid. They are put directly into a beetle bin to start breeding and laying eggs.
An update in the pupae. I stopped using bran as a bedding for the pupae. Bran wicks moisture from them. Drying them out before they get a chance to hatch. There were almost 50% browning/black dead ones and I couldn't figure out why...not enough moisture and they were laying on a wick material. A little mist of water over the pupae once and a while helps them hatch faster.
 

Kind024

In Bloom
Great info, thanx. I'd like to try that but my worm beds have taken over my free space! Maybe over the winter I can find an area to use. What temps are required?
Hi @Rozgreenburn, darkling beetles can handle a range of temperatures. All stages of the beetles are killed around 30*f. The beetles and larvae reproduce and grow best around 80*f and 70%rh. However they will continue to reproduce and grow in the temperature range of 60*f - 100*f (give or take a few degrees) and 35% - 90%rh. Remember the relative humidity and amount of moisture in the feed dictates how soon in the larval stage they will pupate. More moisture = sooner, less moisture = later.
 
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Kind024

In Bloom
@Kind024

thank you so much for ur contributions/gifts on the insect frass & dank ass seeds. your the man and so thankful for everything.

chitin for life !

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Right on brother, glad to see that made it. A little quicker then I thought too.

I'm stoked to hear your thoughts on the Gary Payton x Killer Chem...when you get around to it.

Cheers and have fun!
 
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