How Many Beetles Can You Keep in a SquirmStack Mini Mealworm Farm?

How Many Beetles Can You Keep in a SquirmStack?

One of the most common questions we hear is:

“How many darkling beetles should I put in my SquirmStack?”

The short answer is:

Most hobbyists will have the best experience with 100–175 adult beetles.

That’s the sweet spot for producing a steady supply of mealworms while keeping the colony easy to manage.

For most hobbyists, 100–175 adult beetles provides the best balance of egg production, colony health, and ease of maintenance.

Beginners can confidently start with 25–100 beetles, while experienced keepers may choose to maintain 250 beetles with regular care.

The goal isn’t to fit as many beetles as possible, it’s to create a healthy breeding colony that consistently produces mealworms for years to come.

Because every colony is different, there isn’t a single “perfect” number. Temperature, humidity, feeding schedule, and how often you harvest all play a role. Still, these guidelines work well for most home breeders.