How do I keep my crickets from looking like Ghosts?

[chamlover1]

Hello All,

So I am new to this chameleon ownership and everything seems to be going well, the information provided on this forum has been a huge help!! but the one thing I can't seem to find and answer to is, how do I get my crickets not to look like ghosts? I feel like I put very little but those little buggers attract that calcium powder like magnets while the roaches have little if anything on them. I've honestly thought of getting a flour sifter to shake it off, how crucial is it that they not look like ghosts? Thanks!!

 

[Devokid]

It is better to have them look like ghosts. I wouldn't try to remove the supplements that your chameleons need.

 

[LoganJ]

just dip them in the powder, kinda like frencg fries in ketchup

 

[xephyr17]

Hello All,

So I am new to this chameleon ownership and everything seems to be going well, the information provided on this forum has been a huge help!! but the one thing I can't seem to find and answer to is, how do I get my crickets not to look like ghosts? I feel like I put very little but those little buggers attract that calcium powder like magnets while the roaches have little if anything on them. I've honestly thought of getting a flour sifter to shake it off, how crucial is it that they not look like ghosts? Thanks!!

I wouldn't worry too much about how covered they get--they gotta get that calcium

I purchase my crix gutloaded on calcium bricks so I don't even have to dust.

 

[Dagreek]

Get Phoenix worms. My chams go at them like their waxworms. Then you don't need to coat them with any thing.

 

[Lazy Boy]

I wouldn't worry too much about how covered they get--they gotta get that calcium

I purchase my crix gutloaded on calcium bricks so I don't even have to dust.

I think I would still dust sometimes even if its in the gut load. Never know how much the are really getting and a cricket would need to eat a ton of calcium to amount to what would be on them from a dust.

 

[kplatvoet]

I'm an old lady and I don't like dealing with the bags or cups - I use a cricket shaker-http://www.amazon.com/Rep-Cal-Cricket-Shaker/dp/B00176CYZU

You can do it yourself for cheaper but it's 15 bucks and you don't waste as much calcium- and as I said I'm too old to deal with paper cups or plastic bags.

 

[Norcal55]

Some calcium supplements stick to bugs more than others. I use a 32 oz. deli cup when dusting my feeders. Toss in a bunch of crickets sprinkle on some cal. powder and shake. Works so much better than a bag for dusting. I use the Repashy Super Calcium and it is not as "chalky" as others and gives a nice been coat

 

[johnnyev]

Also remember a lot of it will be removed/washed off (especially if feeding after recently spraying the enclosure) if they are not eaten fairly quickly.

 

[xephyr17]

I think I would still dust sometimes even if its in the gut load. Never know how much the are really getting and a cricket would need to eat a ton of calcium to amount to what would be on them from a dust.

I don't rely on crix for my calcium supplements. I actually dust all of the worms I give him... Dusting crickets has never been a skill of mine hahaha

 

[TCMontium]

If thats better to dust them like ghosts, why are caresheets and some experienced cham keepers always saying "Dust feeders lightly." or "Feeder insects should be lightly dust."? I am confused.

 

[deths80]

If thats better to dust them like ghosts, why are caresheets and some experienced cham keepers always saying "Dust feeders lightly." or "Feeder insects should be lightly dust."? I am confused.

From what I have seen is they say to dust lightly as heavy dusting changes the taste, my veiled doesn't care either way it will eat anything I put in the cage I think.

 

[chamlover1]

Thanks!

Thanks All for the info!!! this has been very helpful! I've found it useful to just lightly blow into the cup to remove excess. The baby crickets usually get most of the calcium I'm finding the bigger ones not as much. But it seems from the comments made that it's not that big of a deal if a few are little Casper's