Questions and Issues with Playing as Wurt — Need Help and Advice

Hello everyone,
I'm playing as Wurt and have encountered some questions.

 

1. How can I turn a regular Merm into a Shadow Merm early on without them attacking each other? What’s the best strategy to prevent infighting during this process?
   
    

2. What factors influence Merm loyalty duration? Does it depend on the type of food, freshness, or fullness? I’ve tried feeding Dragonpie, which seems to give the longest loyalty duration, but I’m unsure why.
   
    

3. How is Merm loyalty distributed? Is it calculated within a radius of 3 tiles, or is there a limit, like no more than 5 Merms receiving loyalty within a certain range?
   
    

4. What is the intended use of the Skeeter Bomb? Could you provide examples of how to use this item for maximum benefit?
   
    

5. I’ve trapped Merms in fences, but when I travel and come back, they often wander around my base. How can I prevent Merms from teleporting or escaping from their enclosures when I leave the area?