I just set up a new colony yesterday. I've been reading what scarce information I could find on the internet. I am using dog food as a substrate, and then I guess wet paper towels? What else do they need? Also I am keeping them in the garage, and I worry about cool temperatures. I have placed their container next to a hot water heater, where it's warmer than the rest. Is there a temp range they like? And finally, do they get water from paper towels, or a dish of some type? Any tips would be very helpful. thanks.
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I know there is information ont his because I wrote a bunch of it. I also know the The Taxidermologist wrote a bunch of stuff on this and I think others have as well.
Get the paper towels out of there... substrate needs to be dry - food items marginally moist.... having wet papertowels is asking for mites and fungal problems.
The temperature range I keep mine at is 73 - 80. Higher than that and the lil buggers are warm enough to fly... you want to keep them grounded so they dont fly out en masse when you open the enclosure.
You can read more about them at;
http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/mammals/dermestid.html