I've noticed that the various beetles I find are generally found in a somewhat powdery but moist, red wood. I'm concerned because with the other woods I've offered even my Osmoderma they seem to do a lot of chewing but little eating. Is there a way to make rotten wood of palatable quality? I've seen references to making a "fermentation mat." Is this just hardwood flakes mixed with some flour/yeast and left to rot for a month? I also saw that soaking a piece of wood (ANY wood I'm assuming) in a bucket of water for a night (completely submerged,) peeling off the bark, and putting it in/on this "fermentation mat" makes a good stag diet. Is this true? Pardon my ignorance but I can't seem to find any info on actually making "good" rotten wood. lol
