What’s Included:
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Bug Factory Unit: A compact, stackable design with three trays for easy mealworm farming.
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120g of Live Mealworms: The perfect starter population for your farm.
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Wheat Bran Bedding: A nutritious base to keep your mealworms healthy and thriving.
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Comprehensive Instructions: Clear, easy-to-follow guidance to help you grow and harvest your mealworms.
Why Grow Your Own Live Mealworms?
Growing your own live mealworms offers a host of benefits:
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High Nutritional Value: Live mealworms are rich in protein and fat, making them a premium treat for wild birds, hens, hedgehogs, bats, and reptiles.
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Perfect for Hens: DEFRA-approved, live mealworms are the safe and nutritious choice for backyard chickens. They help improve egg quality and keep hens healthy.
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Sustainable & Affordable: Reduce waste by feeding mealworms your kitchen scraps, and enjoy a continuous supply with minimal ongoing costs – just a bit of wheat bran and vegetable ends.
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Convenient for Emergencies: Always have live mealworms ready, even during supply shortages or bad weather.
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Fascinating for Kids & Adults: Watch the full mealworm life cycle unfold – from larvae to pupae to beetles – and teach children about nature and sustainability in a fun, hands-on way.
How It Works:
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Set Up Your Bug Factory: Place the trays in the stackable Bug Factory unit, add the wheat bran bedding, and introduce the live mealworms.
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Feed Your Mealworms: Add food scraps like carrot ends, broccoli stalks, or potato peelings for hydration and nutrition. Remove uneaten scraps after 1-2 days to maintain cleanliness.
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Grow Your Mealworms: Over the next 10 weeks, the mealworms will grow, pupate, and transform into beetles. The beetles will lay eggs, starting the cycle again.
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Harvest & Feed: Sift through the trays to collect fully grown mealworms for feeding your wildlife or hens. One cycle can produce over a kilo of worms!
Why Buy from Wiggly Wigglers?
At Lower Blakemere Farm in Herefordshire, Wiggly Wigglers has been proudly supporting biodiversity and sustainable living for decades. Since 2006, we’ve specialised in providing live mealworms and other wildlife-friendly products to a wide range of customers, including individuals, bird enthusiasts, bat conservationists, and respected organisations like the RSPB.
As a British family farm, we’re deeply committed to regenerative agriculture. Our mixed farming system integrates cattle and crops, creating a closed-loop process that reduces waste, improves soil health, and supports wildlife. By combining traditional farming with innovative, eco-friendly practices, we ensure that every product we offer reflects our dedication to sustainability and biodiversity.
When you buy from Wiggly Wigglers, you’re not just getting top-quality products – you’re supporting a small rural business that’s passionate about making a difference for nature, wildlife, and the environment. Whether you’re feeding birds, bats, or other garden visitors, our expertise and commitment to quality ensure you’re giving your wildlife the very best.
Wiggly Tips:
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Hydration is Key: Add a slice of cucumber, carrot, or apple to keep your mealworms hydrated.
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Keep It Clean: Remove uneaten food scraps regularly to prevent mould.
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Increase Efficiency: Rotate trays to ensure beetles stay in the top tray for egg-laying while the mealworms grow below.
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Perfect Treat: Sprinkle a handful of mealworms into your hen’s feed or on your bird table – they’ll love it!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How long does it take to grow mealworms?
A: The full cycle takes around 10 weeks, but you’ll have plenty to harvest once the process is established.
Q: Can I use any scraps to feed them?
A: Mealworms thrive on dry, non-acidic scraps like carrot tops, broccoli stems, or potato skins. Avoid citrus and overly moist food.
Q: Will they smell?
A: Not if you keep the bedding dry and clean. Mealworms are odour-free when cared for properly.
Q: Are live mealworms better than dried?
A: Yes! Live mealworms are more nutritious, hydrating, and DEFRA-approved for hens. They’re also more appealing to birds and wildlife.
Q: Where Do I Keep My Mealworm Bug Factory?
Your mealworm bug factory thrives best in a warm, dry place out of direct sunlight. On top of the fridge or cupboard, utility room, or even under the stairs can work perfectly, as long as the temperature stays between 20°C and 25°C. Avoid damp or cold areas like garages or sheds, as mealworms need a consistent, warmish environment to grow and multiply.
Reviews:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "My chickens love the mealworms, and it’s amazing knowing exactly what they’ve been fed." – Sarah T.
