Remedies for Mealworms

Lighting and Dehumidifying

• Because mealworm larvae thrive in dark moist areas, it's beneficial to keep indoor areas--such as cellars and pantry storage areas--lit and dehumidified. Keeping dark indoor areas lit throughout the night needn't result in high electrical bills if you use battery-operated LED lights. Mount larger LEDs or racks of smaller LEDs to basement ceilings and to the interior tops of pantry shelves to discourage mealworm infestation.

  Additionally, using a dehumidifier is key for preventing mealworm infestation. Logically, the size and power of the dehumidifier you need will depend on the square footage of the area where you intend to place it.

Cleaning Out Debris

• Since mealworms scavenge off of discarded or refuse grain--as well as animal droppings, decaying plants and animals--the best remedy for preventing mealworm infestation is to keep areas around grain storage or livestock housing clean and litter-free. Animal manure should be cleaned regularly from coops or holding pens and disposed of properly, or reused promptly as fertilizer.

  Promptly remove any spilled excess grain lying on the ground--particularly in dark corners. Vacuum excess grain out of storage bins after they've been emptied. Repair grain storage bins with cracks and fissures to prevent mealworms from burrowing into these areas and multiplying.

  Lastly, remove any dead and decaying plants in or near the home and dispose of or compost them.

Fumigation

• If you are already suffering from a major mealworm infestation, temporarily bypass preventive steps in favor of professional fumigation services. Given the extreme toxic nature of fumigants, you should not attempt fumigation yourself in an effort to save money. After fumigation, apply the preventative steps of debris-cleaning, dehumidifying and lighting to prevent future infestations.