Maintaining Reliable Feeder Supply

[Sgt. Bilko]

Posting this thread to discuss best options for a reliable supply of feeders for chameleons. I’m not a huge fan of breeding insects and love the idea of auto delivery. However, there have been multiple occasions where the feeders (banded crickets) arrive DOA. I live near Chicago and weather is certainly a factor. What are the best options to keep a consistent reliable supply of feeders?

My local store is an option, but they gutload their banded crickets and dubia roaches with dry dog or cat food. As well, the cost is considerably higher. Not a fan, but have to have a backup locally for emergencies.

Last question. What type of enclosures are best for feeders? I’m using an older 15 gallon fish tank, but realize it’s not proper ventilation. And it’s a pain to get the critters out and dusted. Often the crickets end up loose. My cats love this, I don’t

Thanks all!

 

[elizaann2]

Hello! I try to keep a large wide variety of feeders. I order way more than I need and when I’m halfway through whatever bug I order more. That way if there is an issue with delivery I still have time to figure something out.

I keep crickets in a large bin with holes drilled in the top lid

Supers, wax worms, silkworms and mealworms (for my hamster) are kept in plastic shoe bins.

My grasshoppers in keep in an old empty chameleon enclosure.

Others may have better ways than I do but that’s what works for me.

 

[MissSkittles]

I know you say you don’t want to breed any insects, however keeping a small colony of dubia will ensure that you’re never without any feeders. They are the easiest feeder to breed and if you keep them bioactively, that will even reduce the need for cleaning the bin. Although not a staple feeder, superworms tend to live a long time. Bsfl also live a good long time if you get them small.

 

[nightanole]

You can raise perfect good feeders on the worst chow possible.

You just have to clear the gut and then load up on the non corn/soy/brewers yeast a week before their untimely (or timed?) demise.

A bug raised on crap is going to be just a nutritious as one raise on fresh organic bla bla, if both of their bellies are are empty. At worst the one will have stunted growth due to crap diet.

 

[JacksJill]

Any dubia that have been fed a high protein diet are no longer acceptable feeders as the build up remains with them and can lead to gout. They can be used as breeders but not feeders. Crickets fed a better gut load will be fine.

 

[janjan20]

I also recommend breeding roaches as @MissSkittles suggested. Super easy set up and I suggest a bioactive bin as well. I saved so much money doing this. I have a large plastic sterilite bin that I covered the sides and have ventilation for the top. I have never had any escape and I keep them in my house lol. As a substrate I use coco fiber with a little bit of dirt. I have some cork bark for them to hide under and giant canyons for the CuC.
Since you live where it gets cold you may need to get a heating mat to keep them on the warmer side (for breeding purposes).

 

[dinomom]

Posting this thread to discuss best options for a reliable supply of feeders for chameleons. I’m not a huge fan of breeding insects and love the idea of auto delivery. However, there have been multiple occasions where the feeders (banded crickets) arrive DOA. I live near Chicago and weather is certainly a factor. What are the best options to keep a consistent reliable supply of feeders?

My local store is an option, but they gutload their banded crickets and dubia roaches with dry dog or cat food. As well, the cost is considerably higher. Not a fan, but have to have a backup locally for emergencies.

Last question. What type of enclosures are best for feeders? I’m using an older 15 gallon fish tank, but realize it’s not proper ventilation. And it’s a pain to get the critters out and dusted. Often the crickets end up loose. My cats love this, I don’t

Thanks all!It must be a pain to pick up and clean out the glass tank. As others said, sterilite containers are best:

Excuse my premature posting above. I was going to say that I use 2 sterilite containers, one to move the bugs into while I clean out the dirty one to use the next time. And toilet paper rolls make removing bugs for dusting easy; just shake some into the dusting container.

Also after years of doing this I discovered that the cricket container doesn't even need to be covered. Unless you rest eggcrate against the side which they could climb out on, they don't jump straight up in the air to get out. This seems to keep the smell down with better ventilation.

I also order a lot more than I need but order a couple of sizes smaller than I need. When they are small, I use more, meantime the others get bigger which allows them to last longer.

 

[Sgt. Bilko]

I know you say you don’t want to breed any insects, however keeping a small colony of dubia will ensure that you’re never without any feeders. They are the easiest feeder to breed and if you keep them bioactively, that will even reduce the need for cleaning the bin. Although not a staple feeder, superworms tend to live a long time. Bsfl also live a good long time if you get them small.

Worth looking into. Is there a good resource on getting started for dubia? Thanks!

 

[Sgt. Bilko]

I also recommend breeding roaches as @MissSkittles suggested. Super easy set up and I suggest a bioactive bin as well. I saved so much money doing this. I have a large plastic sterilite bin that I covered the sides and have ventilation for the top. I have never had any escape and I keep them in my house lol. As a substrate I use coco fiber with a little bit of dirt. I have some cork bark for them to hide under and giant canyons for the CuC.
Since you live where it gets cold you may need to get a heating mat to keep them on the warmer side (for breeding purposes).

Thanks. Do you mind posting some pics?

 

[MissSkittles]

Worth looking into. Is there a good resource on getting started for dubia? Thanks!

Just get some adult dubia. You could start with 10 (or 25) females https://dubiaroaches.com/products/adult-female-dubia-roaches?variant=9890980869 and then only need a few males https://dubiaroaches.com/products/adult-male-dubia-roaches?variant=9890982213 This will help.
https://dubiaroaches.com/blogs/feeder-insect-care/how-to-start-a-dubia-roach-colony
I keep mine in a few inches of organic soil mixed with cocoa coir and a few small chunks of charcoal. My clean up crew is springtails https://dubiaroaches.com/products/springtail-starter-culture and dwarf white isopods https://dubiaroaches.com/products/dwarf-white-isopods-trichorhina-tomentosa I keep mine in one of these https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilit...e-Aquarium/39911068?athbdg=L1102&from=/search with some screened vent holes in the lid and cork bark pieces arranged like a hide. If it gets cold, I’ll put a small heat mat on the side since they breed best when around 90*. About once a week or as needed, I’ll lightly moisten one side for the isopods and springtails who need some humidity. **Actually I have discoid (dubia isn’t allowed in FL), but they are the same.

 

[janjan20]

Thanks. Do you mind posting some pics?

So sorry I got busy! Pics would have been helpful… I would only have half of the top open vs the whole thing. It dries out quickly so I will have to cover half to maintain better humidity. It’s not pretty but functional lol.

 

[Flick boy]

Hi there . Same here small colony of dubia . I've had my adults for a couple of years . With the cold weather does your feeder delivery source give the option of a heat pack in the delivery. Welcome to the forum

 

[Sgt. Bilko]

So sorry I got busy! Pics would have been helpful… I would only have half of the top open vs the whole thing. It dries out quickly so I will have to cover half to maintain better humidity. It’s not pretty but functional lol.

Very easy DIY setup. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sgt. Bilko]

Hi there . Same here small colony of dubia . I've had my adults for a couple of years . With the cold weather does your feeder delivery source give the option of a heat pack in the delivery. Welcome to the forum

Hi. Yes, they sent heat packs with each shipment. The smart crickets hang around the heat pack and survive. The rest, Darwin takes care of.

 

[Sgt. Bilko]

Just get some adult dubia. You could start with 10 (or 25) females https://dubiaroaches.com/products/adult-female-dubia-roaches?variant=9890980869 and then only need a few males https://dubiaroaches.com/products/adult-male-dubia-roaches?variant=9890982213 This will help.
https://dubiaroaches.com/blogs/feeder-insect-care/how-to-start-a-dubia-roach-colony
I keep mine in a few inches of organic soil mixed with cocoa coir and a few small chunks of charcoal. My clean up crew is springtails https://dubiaroaches.com/products/springtail-starter-culture and dwarf white isopods https://dubiaroaches.com/products/dwarf-white-isopods-trichorhina-tomentosa I keep mine in one of these https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilit...e-Aquarium/39911068?athbdg=L1102&from=/search with some screened vent holes in the lid and cork bark pieces arranged like a hide. If it gets cold, I’ll put a small heat mat on the side since they breed best when around 90*. About once a week or as needed, I’ll lightly moisten one side for the isopods and springtails who need some humidity. **Actually I have discoid (dubia isn’t allowed in FL), but they are the same.

Good stuff. Helps me decide the path forward. Thanks.

 

[Sgt. Bilko]

Just get some adult dubia. You could start with 10 (or 25) females https://dubiaroaches.com/products/adult-female-dubia-roaches?variant=9890980869 and then only need a few males https://dubiaroaches.com/products/adult-male-dubia-roaches?variant=9890982213 This will help.
https://dubiaroaches.com/blogs/feeder-insect-care/how-to-start-a-dubia-roach-colony
I keep mine in a few inches of organic soil mixed with cocoa coir and a few small chunks of charcoal. My clean up crew is springtails https://dubiaroaches.com/products/springtail-starter-culture and dwarf white isopods https://dubiaroaches.com/products/dwarf-white-isopods-trichorhina-tomentosa I keep mine in one of these https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilit...e-Aquarium/39911068?athbdg=L1102&from=/search with some screened vent holes in the lid and cork bark pieces arranged like a hide. If it gets cold, I’ll put a small heat mat on the side since they breed best when around 90*. About once a week or as needed, I’ll lightly moisten one side for the isopods and springtails who need some humidity. **Actually I have discoid (dubia isn’t allowed in FL), but they are the same.

Sooooo, when’s the colony video coming out

 

[MissSkittles]

Sooooo, when’s the colony video coming out

The most you’ll get is maybe a blog…if I can stop talking so darned much.