Help with plants

[Spikemomma]

My boy spike has recently been trying to eat the soil from his plants. He has crickets in his home running around but almost every morning he goes for one plant in the middle , which we have the top soil covered with paper towels since he has tried before. Sometimes I catch him trying to pull the paper towels out of the plant. We are going to be adding a screen on top of the soil instead or the towels. I am just looking to see if anyone had tips for securing it inside the pot to fit well? Thank you!

Attached is spike after to told him to leave the plant alone

 

[MissSkittles]

Most will over the soil with river rocks that are too big to be eaten.

 

[BleuSaphir]

Maybe try leaf litter to cover the bottom like of dried magnolia leaves.