OPEN THE GATES
On arrival
Prepare fresh suitable food and a clean container before opening the shipment. Handle small larvae as little as possible; use their food or a soft clean tool to move them rather than pinching the body.
BUILD THE REFUGE
A secure holding setup
Use a ventilated container lined or arranged so droppings can be removed without disturbing every larva. Spread the worms out as they grow. Keep feeding surfaces clean and dry enough to prevent condensation, while supplying food that is fresh and usable.
KEEP A STEADY WATCH
Temperature & placement
Keep the culture in stable room conditions, protected from direct sun and sudden temperature swings. Do not refrigerate a feeding batch as if it were mealworms. Check the actual container for condensation or trapped heat rather than relying only on the room thermostat.
PROVISION THE COLONY
Food & hydration
Provide pesticide-free mulberry leaves or correctly prepared mulberry-based silkworm chow. Generic bran, lettuce, and roach feed are not substitutes. Follow the chow instructions and keep prepared portions hygienic. Supply fresh food often enough that larvae do not run out, removing spoiled or dried material.
Prepare with Silkworm Chow. Check each product’s directions before use.
THE DAILY WATCH
Care between feedings
Clean waste regularly with clean hands and tools. A larva preparing to molt may stop feeding and remain still; avoid pulling it loose or forcing food onto it. As mature worms begin cocooning, provide appropriate space and recognize that this is a life-stage change rather than a reusable feeder-storage method.
AVOID THE COMMON TRAPS
Mistakes worth preventing
- Using an unverified leaf because it looks like mulberry.
- Keeping fresh chow in a wet, dirty container.
- Disturbing larvae repeatedly during a molt.