Does anyone on /diy/ raise bugs?
I've recently been wondering about raising larva into beetles as a side hobby but don't know where to start. Would love any research info.
>>920933
I have a black soldier fly generator for my garden. My chickens love the larvae, my garden loves the compost.
>>920933
Step it up a notch and go for weird insect parasite farming. Might even be some cash in it if you raise parasites for pest insects.
>>921064
Yeah, what could possibly go wrong, right?
I keep tarantulas, scorpions, and centipedes and a mantis at once, but I was never a beetle guy, though the giant beetles do look amazing
>>920933
Get some books. Here is one for begginners.
https://books.google.com.mx/books?id=mGXXAAAACAAJ&dq=insect+farming&hl=es-419&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiC7PiIkv_JAhVJ6oMKHdyNAKEQ6AEIGjAA
>>920933
They can help you on /an/
Usually a beetle raising thread a few times a month.
>>920933
>>920945
I'd love a pic or two, and maybe how you got it started. I tried to start one, and only ever attracted (far as I can tell) house flies. They still composted all I gave them, but their larvae were small as hell.
>>920933
I've tried several times to start farms, specifically meal worms. I found many in a leaf pile in my yard once, and spent far too long collecting them - needless to say, there were not enough to start a colony (though I'd guess over 500). If I ever try again, it'll be ordering upwards of 5,000 from the net.
I plan to use them for feed, either for chickens or fish (tilapia, only fish that will live in our heat), but it's difficult because the feed itself requires temperature control (basically living in your house) which I can't manage atm.
Are you looking to raise exotic, or practical/commercial/livestock?
>>921064
Is there really such a demand for parasites? Or was I trolled?
>>920933
>raise big beetles
>use their exoskeletons to make fantasy armor for your tabletop game miniatures and for creating monsters
>sell for $100+ each miniature.
>>922453
That is an interesting idea. Have an attractive website and do a professional job and you might make some good money.
>>922456
Dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies make great sources for fantasy wings too.
I raise sow bugs. (They're not actually bugs though, but crustaceans.) It's not as easy as I had thought. Cannibalism happens very often. The same problem had occurred with the slugs I've attempted to raise. Putting same or different species together didn't matter. They eat each other all the same.
