Care and Raising Tips for Silkworms

If you’re searching for a unique and enjoyable venture, offer some attention to the economic yet elusive, oriental tradition of growing silkworms.

For decades, the expertise necessary to develop such limited “livestock” has been passed down through generations. Today’s sericulture of silkworm cultivation ranks alongside the honeybee as among the most financially viable domestic insects globally.

Finance advisor, Shane Perry from Max Funding says, “ Some businesses can naturally gain more profits than others. For whatever reason, the truth is almost all businesses experience challenges during the infancy stage. It is just a matter of careful planning and  decision-making in a  particular sector.”

In the health and wellness sector, silkworms are also taking prominence. Silkworms are the healthiest insect you can get. They are low maintenance and are undemanding, needing only a suitable environment. For that reason, plus their nutrient benefits and reduced fat content, silkworms are establishing a large market in the health and nutrition industry.”

So if you’re into growing silkworms, below are driven tips on caring and raising your silkworms properly:

Raising Tank 

A plastic tub or container with a cover bored with aeration holes is a perfect location to contain your silkworm. They require a controlled humidity level of around 50% as an open box can dry them and spoil their food faster. If you’re looking into large-scale silkworm cultivation, secure some shelves to save space and invest in quality containers.

However, if you started with a smaller breeding container, you need to switch to a bigger one to prevent overpopulation.

Feeding

Silkworms may be fed using tongs or bowls, or released to roam their habitat for a brief period to consume their food. These larvae are very sluggish, making bowl feeding relatively easy. You need not worry about gut loading, as silkworms should be on a highly nutritious diet.

Also, it’s not advisable to dust off these feeder worms regularly. Dust and powders aren’t well retained on their smooth exterior. Leave some fresh mulberry leaves to keep them well-fed.

When Pupating

When your silkworms are pupating, give them toilet paper tubes, plastic containers, bins, berry cans, twigs, wire mesh, etc., as a site in which they can spin. Transfer them to a separate box after they pupate, where they can emerge from out their cocoon, breed, and produce eggs.

Limiting Condensation

The prevailing reason for failure in growing silkworms is excessive condensation. This usually happens inside the container after feeding. As a remedy, take the cover off your breeding tank and allow it to dry out completely. 

To prevent condensation from happening in the future, make sure the foods you’ve provided are fresh and dry. Remember that old moist food is a breeding site for mould and harmful pathogens.

Proper Handling Procedures

Before touching the silkworms or their food, take time to wash and wipe down your hands carefully. When you can’t handle them correctly, silkworms may be prone to bacteria. 

Moreover, if not treated with caution, silkworms are sensitive to bruises and may die, as they grow in size. Therefore be gentle when holding and moving your silkworms since their bodies are delicate, and they’ll get bruised quickly.

Are You Raising Your Silkworms Right?

Raising silkworms is not like raising domesticated pets or livestock animals. You need to consider a lot of factors to succeed. Take heed of the tips and recommendations mentioned above to set your track right in sericulture.

At Everything Silkworms, our silkworms are spawned and fed on the freshest mulberry diet, guaranteeing they have all the nutrition they need to thrive and become nutritious foods.   

As the leading silkworm provider in Australia, we live up to our mission of breeding and producing the highest grade silkworms for our clients through the most humane rearing practice that we employ. Connect with us to know more about this raising silkworms!