Looking for some feeder variety

[WelshOneEmma]

Ok, just made my first online order for some feeders for Hugo. Based on this order, I may use them more regularly. Anyway, to my questions:

I have just ordered him some butterworms to try. What do I gutload them with?

The site I ordered from has many feeders - has anybody ever tried earthworms? And also, they sell captive bred snails - has anyone ever fed these to a veiled? Would he know how to eat them?

I am trying to find more variety. Hugo is not eating his crickets at all now, and will only eat locusts. I just don't want him to get bored. And before anyone says it - Roaches <shudders> will be a last resort!

 

[philanddeb818]

Hi Emma!
I'd love to get some of your Locusts but I think they're prohibited here. I looked up gut loads for butter-worms here but all I could find were prescriptive jars of dried what-not. I'll look into it for you. But it'll probably take a day.

As for roaches...I totally understand your desire not to bother with them. I actually was given a male and two female hisser cockroaches a couple months back. They are tremendous in size and took me a good few weeks and a couple shots of alcohol to handle them. But now I'm a champ! They are actually very clean and cool to handle.

I bought Dubia as well. Very scary to me because they look so much like what one would spray with pesticide. This whole bug thing has taken me to a new awareness...they are truly nice little guys!

Hope all is well with you and it's great to see your post!
Deb

 

[WelshOneEmma]

Hi Deb,

I think locusts are prohibited over your side as they can do a lot of damage if they escape (here they just die due to the cold). I don't mind handling those at all, as they remind me of grasshoppers, and they don't bite. We actually buy the ex-large size and feed them up and where possible wait til they shed into adults as Hugo loves the adults (I do feel very guilty though as they are cute). What puts me off roaches is the chance of them escaping (as my feeders occasionally do) and I don't want them anywhere in the house. Don't worry about looking up the butterworms though. I am also doing some research, just thought I would check to see if anyone already knew (in other words, I was being lazy! ). Thanks for your help!

Emma

 

[Miss Lily]

Have you tried silkworms from that site too? Amy is currently enjoying hers. They don't have them in that regularly though, and, like butterworms they are quite expensive. Have you tried Phoenix Worms or super/morio worms? Chams seem to love anything that has just moulted, supers especially!

We can't get hornworms over here for the same reasons that those in the US can't get locusts. Oh, and I remember reading that roaches need it to be a certain temperature to breed, so I think any escapees would be short lived! I can't bear crix to escape - I have something heavy to smoosh them should they dare to even try! Having said that, I wasn't quick enough the other day and one got under the washing machine, lol! The spiders will eat it for lunch!

 

[nick barta]

Butter worms eat the bran they are packed in, they are ready to feed. Keep them in bran, they will weave a web around the bran and make a pocket in the middle to live in. They last for months in the refrigerator, just add a piece of carrot to the top of the bran for moisture.

Nick

 

[WelshOneEmma]

Have you tried silkworms from that site too? Amy is currently enjoying hers. They don't have them in that regularly though, and, like butterworms they are quite expensive. Have you tried Phoenix Worms or super/morio worms? Chams seem to love anything that has just moulted, supers especially!

We can't get hornworms over here for the same reasons that those in the US can't get locusts. Oh, and I remember reading that roaches need it to be a certain temperature to breed, so I think any escapees would be short lived! I can't bear crix to escape - I have something heavy to smoosh them should they dare to even try! Having said that, I wasn't quick enough the other day and one got under the washing machine, lol! The spiders will eat it for lunch!

The site I ordered them from didn't have silkworms, but we will see how we get on with the butterworms first! I did try Superworms and he hated them. He ate one and refused them every other time we tried. He is very fussy! The only thing he readily eats are the locusts. I ordered 25 of the extra large ones (which cost £5), 25 butterworms which cost them same, and a small pot of waxies, so it seemed like good value, not too expensive. I don't want roaches in the house so its really not an option at the moment!

I had read that the bran was only for transport, but if that is not the case then great! Thanks everyone!