Best Containers and Trays for Mealworm Farming (Complete Guide)
Best Containers and Trays for Mealworm Farming (Complete Guide)
Choosing the right containers and trays is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when setting up a mealworm farm. Good trays help maintain temperature, prevent escapes, increase egg production, reduce cleaning time, and keep your colony healthy. Poor-quality containers, on the other hand, can cause mold, death, escapes, or slow growth. Tray usage is explained step by step in Mealworm Tray Setup Guide.
This complete guide explains the best trays and containers for mealworm farming in Pakistan, along with sizes, materials, airflow requirements, stacking methods, and cleaning tips for both small home setups and commercial farms.
⭐ 1. Why Containers Matter in Mealworm Farming
Mealworms grow inside trays filled with dry bedding, so the container becomes their entire world. Good trays:
- Improve reproduction
- Prevent mold
- Keep beetles from escaping
- Maintain warmth
- Prevent pests like ants and spiders
- Make separation and cleaning easier
- Reduce mortality in pupae and larvae
A proper container system can increase production by 30–50% with zero extra cost.
⭐ 2. What Makes a Good Mealworm Tray?
A proper mealworm tray should have the following features:
2.1 Smooth Walls
Mealworms and beetles can climb rough surfaces. Smooth plastic prevents escape.
2.2 Straight Vertical Sides
Helps when sifting or moving bedding.
2.3 Good Depth
Ideal depth: 8–12 cm
Shallow trays cause overcrowding and reduce moisture control.
2.4 Durable Plastic Material
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is best.
2.5 Ventilation Options
Avoid airtight lids; use breathable cloth or mesh if needed.
2.6 Wide Base
Mealworms need surface area more than height.
⭐ 3. Best Container Types for Mealworm Farming
Let’s break down the best container types used by beginners and professionals.
⭐ 3.1 Plastic Drawer Systems (Best for Home Farming)
Plastic drawer cabinets are a favorite for home setups.
Benefits
- Multi-layer storage
- No sunlight exposure
- Saves floor space
- Easy separation for eggs, larvae, pupae, beetles
- Affordable locally
Best For:
Beginner setups, home farms, small-space farming
Proper planning is important when learning how to set up a mealworm farm for long-term production.
⭐ 3.2 Large Plastic Trays (Most Common Worldwide)
Shallow plastic trays with smooth sides are the global standard.
Recommended Size
40 x 30 x 10 cm or 50 x 40 x 12 cm
Benefits
- Good airflow
- Easy to clean
- Perfect for larvae and beetles
- Stackable
- Ideal for commercial racks
Best For:
Both home and commercial farms
⭐ 3.3 Wooden Boxes (Budget Option)
Wooden trays are cheap but have challenges.
Benefits
- Easy to build
- Cheap
- Custom size options
Problems - Beetles can climb rough surfaces
- Hard to clean
- Can absorb moisture
- Might attract pests
Best For:
Emergency or temporary use only
⭐ 3.4 Metal Trays (Rare Use)
Metal is not recommended.
Why Not?
- Cold in winter
- Hot in summer
- Hard for beetles
- Can rust
Avoid unless temporarily needed.
⭐ 3.5 Bucket & Tub Containers (Not Ideal But Possible)
Some beginners start with buckets.
Problems
- Bad ventilation
- Difficult to separate eggs
- Moisture collects at bottom
- Worms crowd too much
Use only if no trays are available.
⭐ 4. Tray Layout for Maximum Production
A good mealworm farm uses 3 types of trays:
4.1 Beetle Trays
- Shallow bedding
- No moisture inside
- Add egg trays for hiding
- Move beetles every 10–14 days
4.2 Larvae Trays - 6–8 cm bedding
- Moisture slices added
- Good ventilation
- No hiding structures needed
4.3 Pupae Trays - Must be dry
- No bedding needed
- Single-layer arrangement
- No moisture foods
Keeping stages separate increases survival rate and prevents cannibalism.
⭐ 5. Tray Material Comparison Table
Material Pros Cons Best Use
Plastic (HDPE) Smooth, durable, clean Slightly expensive Best overall
Plastic (Drawer System) Multi-layer storage Limited airflow Home setups
Wood Cheap, custom size Hard to clean, pests Temporary
Metal Strong Temp fluctuations Rare
Buckets Very cheap Poor ventilation Emergency only
⭐ 6. How Many Trays Do You Need?
For Home Setup
- 3–5 trays (starter)
- 8–12 trays (serious hobby)
For Small Commercial Setup - 20–40 trays
For Business-Level Farm - 60–150 trays
- Proper rack system required
The more trays you have, the faster your colony expands.
⭐ 7. Preventing Escapes
Mealworms and beetles can escape if trays are not secure.
Tips
- Use smooth high-walled trays
- Keep trays dry
- Don’t overfill bedding
- Avoid placing moisture at edges
- Raise trays above floor level
- Use petroleum jelly on upper tray edges (optional)
⭐ 8. Ventilation: One of the Most Important Factors
Good airflow prevents:
- Mold
- Smell
- Bedding rot
- Pest attraction
Best Ventilation Practices - Never use airtight lids
- Use cloth covers (breathable)
- Keep trays open when possible
- Ensure room has airflow
- Avoid direct sunlight
Ventilation is key in Pakistan’s humid months.
⭐ 9. Cleaning and Maintenance of Trays
Weekly Cleaning
- Remove moisture leftovers
- Pick out dead worms
- Stir bedding lightly
Monthly Cleaning - Transfer worms
- Dump old bedding
- Wash trays with mild soap
- Dry trays completely before reuse
Avoid harsh chemicals.
⭐ 10. Commercial Tray Racks
For scaling your farm:
Benefits of Racks
- Space-saving vertical storage
- Better airflow
- Easier cleaning
- Professional appearance
- Increases production efficiency
Use steel or wooden racks with 4–6 shelves.
⭐ 11. Best Tray Setup for Pakistan Climate
Pakistan’s climate has hot summers and mild winters, so the ideal setup is:
- Plastic trays
- No metal trays
- Drawer systems for home
- Open racks for commercial farms
- Breathable covers during monsoon months
Plastic trays remain the best and most stable choice.
⭐ 12. Where to Buy Trays in Pakistan
You can buy trays from:
- Plastic markets
- General stores
- Hyderabad/Multan plastic suppliers
- Farm equipment shops
- Online marketplaces
- Imported HDPE trays (optional)
Prices range from PKR 150–600 per tray depending on size.
⭐ 13. Common Mistakes in Choosing Trays
- Choosing too-deep trays
- Using rough plastic containers
- Using airtight buckets
- Keeping trays in humid rooms
- Mixing too many worms in one tray
- Using wooden trays for long term
Avoiding these mistakes improves colony stability.
⭐ 14. Internal Linking Suggestions
From this article, link to:
- “Best Bedding for Mealworms”
- “Mealworm Feeding Guide”
- “Mealworm Lifecycle Explained”
- “How to Separate Larvae, Pupae, Beetles”
- “Low Cost Mealworm Setup in Pakistan”
⭐ 15. Final Conclusion
The success of a mealworm farm depends heavily on the quality and structure of your trays and containers. Smooth-walled plastic trays with a depth of 8–12 cm are the best option for both home and commercial setups. Proper ventilation, stage separation, careful cleaning, and vertical rack systems create better airflow, faster growth, and higher production. Feeding depends on tray design described in Mealworm Feeding Guide.
Choose high-quality plastic trays, maintain clean bedding, handle beetles carefully, and avoid moisture build up. With the right container system, your mealworm farming business becomes stable, productive, and easy to expand.