眠(mian)起處理是養蠶過(guo)程(cheng)中(zhong)比較重要(yao)的技術(shu)操作(zuo)。一般可分為(wei)眠(mian)前(qian)處理、眠(mian)中(zhong)保護(hu)和(he)餉(xiang)食處理3個時期。眠(mian)前(qian)處理要(yao)注意適時加眠(mian)網，及時提青撒(sa)焦(jiao)糠止桑分批。

1齡(ling)蠶(can)(can)(can)多(duo)數體(ti)色(se)(se)呈(cheng)炒米色(se)(se)、個別(bie)已達將(jiang)眠(mian)為(wei)加(jia)網適(shi)期(qi)；2齡(ling)蠶(can)(can)(can)多(duo)數體(ti)色(se)(se)呈(cheng)乳白色(se)(se)、皮膚緊張有光澤，少數蠶(can)(can)(can)將(jiang)眠(mian)為(wei)加(jia)網適(shi)期(qi)；3齡(ling)蠶(can)(can)(can)出現眠(mian)蠶(can)(can)(can)即為(wei)加(jia)網適(shi)期(qi)。眠(mian)中(zhong)溫度要(yao)比食桑時降(jiang)低(di)0.5～1.0℃，眠(mian)中(zhong)前期(qi)（止桑到(dao)(dao)發現起蠶(can)(can)(can)）干(gan)濕(shi)差(cha)為(wei)2～3℃，眠(mian)中(zhong)后(hou)期(qi)（發現起蠶(can)(can)(can)到(dao)(dao)餉食前）干(gan)濕(shi)差(cha)為(wei)1.5～2℃。眠(mian)中(zhong)要(yao)保持安靜(jing)，光線不宜過強，切(qie)忌(ji)偏(pian)光和風吹。由于蠶(can)(can)(can)架上(shang)下溫度有高低(di)，需(xu)要(yao)調換(huan)蠶(can)(can)(can)匾位置，一(yi)般(ban)每(mei)天調換(huan)1～2次(ci)，使蠶(can)(can)(can)的發育趨(qu)于一(yi)致(zhi)。蠶(can)(can)(can)兒蛻皮后(hou)第一(yi)次(ci)給(gei)桑叫作餉食（或(huo)叫作開葉）。

餉食(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)適(shi)(shi)期(qi)主要(yao)依(yi)據蠶(can)的頭部色(se)澤和食(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)欲來判斷。通常蠶(can)在蛻皮后(hou)經(jing)2～3小時開始有(you)食(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)欲，起蠶(can)頭部變成淡褐(he)色(se)，有(you)求食(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)表現時為(wei)餉食(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)適(shi)(shi)期(qi)，餉食(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)過早過遲(chi)易使蠶(can)發育不齊。餉食(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)用桑要(yao)新(xin)鮮、適(shi)(shi)熟偏(pian)嫩(nen)。給桑量(liang)要(yao)適(shi)(shi)當控制，餉食(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)第一次給予量(liang)為(wei)前齡盛食(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)期(qi)的80％，掌握食(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)盡為(wei)好(hao)。