Featured grower: Minve. Rajeevan with the trays.
People living in flats and houses in urban areas often struggle to provide protein-rich food for their pet birds and fish. A solution to this is the mealworm, also known as the food worm.
If these are dried, they can be stored for a long time. Although some chemical changes may occur at room temperature, it will not affect people in a harmful way.
Their parents are a type of beetle known as the ‘Beetle Bug’. Therefore, they can be raised in a small room, a cupboard, or in sturdy cardboard boxes.
Its specialty is that it requires very little space and minimal care. Therefore, anyone can earn an income with a low-cost dwelling and without a large investment.
Small-space advantage: Mealworms can be raised in a small room, cupboard, or sturdy cardboard boxes, making them suitable for flats and houses in urban areas.
The cultivation, which began as an intercrop in a rubber plantation, has now also become a source of income. It first started with inspiration from YouTube. Now it has grown into an enterprise with an investment of up to one lakh rupees.
Although it faced failures in the beginning, it moved forward by learning lessons from them. Likewise, he also cleared the doubts for the customers.
Marketing: The marketing is online.
Packing: It is packed and sent by courier according to the order.
Customers: There are customers both inside and outside the country.
Kerala orders: Orders are received from all districts in Kerala.
Mealworm is a nutritious food given to pet birds and fish raised at home. As it is rich in protein, it also helps to increase the egg-laying capacity of birds.
Apart from food packets for pets, they are also available in live form. The price is 1,500 rupees per kilo. This venture is also about the happiness of preparing a meal for the pets.
Chinese Pheasant
Golden Pheasant
Turkey and chicks
Love Birds
Guppies
Home-raised pet birds and fish
Mealworms, which like cold and moisture, are raised in a plastic tray filled with moisture-free bran. They should be raised in rooms or sheds that are not cold and humid.
- ✅ From laying eggs to reaching the worm stage, it takes 50-52 days.
- ✅ The larvae that hatch from the eggs will become beetles after the pupa stage.
- ✅ After about 20 days, they will lay eggs.
- ✅ Sunlight is not required for their growth, so they can be kept in any part of the house.
When they reach the worm stage, their feed is soft vegetables. For this, apple, carrot, beetroot, etc., are usually the feed for the larvae. In summers, those with high water content are the first preference.
Summer: To provide moisture to the larvae, beetroot, sweet potato, carrot, cucumber, etc., are given.
Low moisture risk: In summers, if the moisture content decreases, the larvae are likely to bite and cut each other.
Rainy season: During rainy seasons, cucumber should not be given. It is good to avoid giving things like apple and cucumber.
Food safety: Even plants with small amounts of toxicity should not be given. Safe and clean food must be given.
Boiled potatoes can also be given. Therefore, extreme care is also needed in matters of food.
A mixture of egg, wheat, ragi, and corn is given to larvae that are not yet mature, for about 4 months.
Rajeevan protects them in a safe and clean environment. Rajeevan is ready to clear any doubts regarding it.
Contact: Rajeevan — 9495382038
What are mealworms used for in pet nutrition?
Mealworms are used as nutritious food for pet birds and fish raised at home. The article notes that they are rich in protein and can help increase the egg-laying capacity of birds. They are commonly bought by keepers of pheasants, turkeys, chicks, love birds, guppies and other home pets.
Can mealworms be raised in a flat or small house?
Yes. The article explains that mealworms require very little space and minimal care. They can be raised in a small room, a cupboard, or sturdy cardboard boxes, making them suitable for people living in flats and urban houses who want a low-cost pet feed venture.
How long does it take for mealworms to reach the worm stage?
From laying eggs to reaching the worm stage, it takes about 50-52 days. The larvae that hatch from the eggs become beetles after the pupa stage, and after about 20 days, the beetles lay eggs again. This lifecycle is important for planning regular production.
What should mealworm larvae be fed?
Mealworm larvae are usually fed soft vegetables such as apple, carrot and beetroot. A mixture of egg, wheat, ragi and corn is also given to larvae that are not yet mature, for about 4 months. Safe and clean food is essential, and toxic plants should be avoided.
Why is moisture care important in mealworm farming?
Moisture is important because, in summer, if the moisture content decreases, larvae are likely to bite and cut each other. High-water-content foods such as beetroot, sweet potato, carrot and cucumber can be given in summer, but during rainy seasons cucumber should not be given.
How are mealworms sold and what is the live price?
Rajeevan markets mealworms online and sends packed orders by courier. Customers come from all districts in Kerala, as well as inside and outside the country. Apart from pet food packets, mealworms are also available in live form, with the price noted as 1,500 rupees per kilo.
