There is a process that must be followed in order to use the purchased fermented substrate.
It's called "degassing".
It means removing gases from the fermented substrate.
This is a very important process and one of the mistakes many breeders make.
💬 Why is the substrate emitting gas?
🔎 You may have experienced a strange odor when you first opened the
substrate you purchased.
It may smell like a sweet, or the smell of forest soil with a good meaning.
But sometimes there may be a strong smell like ammonia or sewer.
There are many reasons for a strong odor, but it is most likely that a properly fermented substrate is simply due to the additives added and ventilation issue.
We call that smell is “gas” and it is a natural phenomenon that occurs during the fermentation process.
💬 Can gas harm to my beetles?
🔎 Yes, and it is one of the most common reasons why larvae die.
If gas is emitted from the substrate, it means that fermentation is in progress.
This fills the case with heat and gases, which can kill the larvae.
💬 How do I know if my substrate is gassed?
🔎 The degassed fermented substrate is “almost” odorless.
It has a very slight earthy smell.
If the larvae are already in the cage, they climb onto the substrate and spin around in a form called "wandering."
They are looking for fresh air.
💬 How do I remove gases from fermented substrate?
🔎 Please follow the process below:
1. Open the fermented substrate.
2. Pour the fermented substrate into a large container.
🚩 If you use a wide container, you can quickly release the gas.
3. Let the gas out for about 3 ~ 7 days.
🚩 Cover with breathable fabric to prevent the introduction of pests such as fungus gnats.
🚩 To shorten this process, I attach an air-permeable seal to the fermented substrate I sell, but I recommend going through this process at least 2-3 days before use.
4. Add water little by little to adjust the moisture to about 60%.
🚩 When the substrate is held in a fist, it is sufficient that it maintains its shape but does not drip.
5. Check for 2 ~ 3 days to see if fermentation is progressing.
🚩 Fermented substrates used for larvae must not be in an ongoing state of fermentation.
Check for odor and heat.
If there are no problems, you can use it on larvae.
