You’ve just received your order of Dubia roaches, or brought home a container of superworms… Now what? Before you feed them to your pet (who’s probably eyeballing the box and salivating), there are some steps you’ll need to take. Just like your pet, insects are living creatures and you’ll need to keep them healthy and happy until it’s dinner time for your reptile. Below are some general tips and things to think about when taking care of your feeder insects. For more detailed, species-specific instructions, click here.
HOME, SWEET HOME
Depending on the species of insect, you may need to switch out their container for something roomier, or that provides more airflow, or ensure six-legged Houdinis stay put. Crickets often come in plastic bags from pet stores, and will need to be transferred into a roomier container that can fit pieces of cardboard egg carton. Insects like Dubia roaches and black soldier fly larvae are happy in cozier abodes, and can be left in their original containers.
SOME LIKE IT HOT
Well, not cold, that is. Different insects and larvae feel comfortable at different temperatures. For example, BSFL are most content at room temperature (between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit), while an acceptable temperature for superworms is between 68 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Some types of larvae, such as hornworms and mealworms, can be kept in the refrigerator to slow their growth and delay metamorphosis. Be sure to research how long a particular species can withstand colder temperatures to avoid killing them.
LIGHTEN UP, WILL YOU?
While some feeder bugs don’t mind the light of day, others will scatter like, well, roaches, when you flip the switch. Insects such as Dubia roaches and crickets like the dark, and to hide under structures. Adding paper egg cartons to their containers can provide hiding and climbing structures for them. Remember, never keep any kind of feeder insect in direct sunlight.
GUT A LOAD OF THIS
“Gut loading” means feeding your insects food that will provide a higher nutrient content to your reptile or amphibian. Kind of like a healthy edible Russian doll…or something. Again, different bugs eat different things, but most feeder insects chow down on fruits and vegetables. Give your feeders a meal at least two hours before feeding them to your pet.
Some of the most nutrient rich vegetables include turnip, mustard, and collard greens, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, and dandelion greens, to name just a few. Fruit should be given in moderation. Apples, papaya, pears, and oranges are just a few good choices. Always wash your fruits and vegetables before feeding them to your insects to clean them and provide extra hydration. Shred hard veggies (like carrots, apples, sweet potatoes) with a potato peeler to make them easier to eat.
For the most nutrient-packed meal for your pet, give your feeder insects 50% fresh food and 50% supplement. At Symton, we love the Feeder Fuel Gutload from our friends, Ready’s Rainforest.
Insects need to hydrate also. While they get some of their water from fruits and vegetables, some also need a water source. Sea sponges or a shallow jar lid with water and cotton balls (to prevent drowning) are good options for insects kept in larger containers.
NOM NOM NOM
Once you’ve cared for your feeder insects, the next step is to feed them to your sweet scaly friends and watch them gobble them up with gusto.
For more detailed information on how to care for specific feeder insects, see our insect care guides here.