How To Feed BSFL??

[random user name]

So I will start off my thread by saying I'm a Chameleon Noob, trying to learn and sorry if this question sounds dumb haha.

So I've been purchasing a variety of feeder insects (Crickets but staying away from these now, just trying to finish the supply I have left, Dubia Roaches, and Black Soldier Fly Larvae), and I'm wondering how people go about to feed the BSFL?

My larvae came in like a cup with soil it seems, do you guys rinse the larvae off, do you spray water on it to try and get it clean, or do you guys just feed it with a little bit of soil?

I'm worried about impaction for my Panther Chameleon, and seeking recommendations of how people feed this larvae Thanks

 

[Fiona's Mom]

So I will start off my thread by saying I'm a Chameleon Noob, trying to learn and sorry if this question sounds dumb haha.

So I've been purchasing a variety of feeder insects (Crickets but staying away from these now, just trying to finish the supply I have left, Dubia Roaches, and Black Soldier Fly Larvae), and I'm wondering how people go about to feed the BSFL?

My larvae came in like a cup with soil it seems, do you guys rinse the larvae off, do you spray water on it to try and get it clean, or do you guys just feed it with a little bit of soil?

I'm worried about impaction for my Panther Chameleon, and seeking recommendations of how people feed this larvae Thanks

I pick out enough of the larvae I plan to feed the next day, put them on a paper plate and shake lightly to remove most of the dirt. In a plastic deli cup with lid I use a very small amount of soft gutload (ground fruits & veggies) and pot the larvae in there. They get it all over them and make a mess. You can rinse them off before feeding if you choose.

 

[random user name]

Thank you! This makes sense and helps me a ton, I didn't know if the larvae drowned easy or not, or how gentle to be with them so thanks again!

 

[NickTide]

I mostly feed the flies after pupating. If I feed the pupae, I sift out the coir then end up rolling them back and forth from palm to palm, brushing the coir that stick to the palm after each transfer. There is still a very little coir left behind, I hope that little bit doesn't matter. Maybe someone can lmk.

 

[jamest0o0]

I just throw soft gutload, like the blended mix of frozen cubes I keep. Thaw it out and the larvae love it. For feeding them off, I just pick through and throw them all in a little cup that I put in front of my chams. They are too small for my chameleons to eat on a regular basis, but they make a great addition to variety. I don't bother cleaning them. I'll pull any large chunks of dirt off them, but a little dirt stuck to the larvae isn't going to impact your chameleon the same way you wouldn't get impacted by eating food covered in dirt(though that might not taste the best lol).