OPINION: Why I don't feed crickets

[Gingero]

As the title of this post suggests, this is my opinion. I was a little nervous to share this on the forums since this video is a little different than past videos I've made with it being more of my opinion than how-to content like I normally make. Just to emphasize again, there is nothing wrong with feeding crickets to your chameleons... I would just prefer to feed off a variety of other bugs instead and avoid dealing with the annoyances that come with crickets.

 

[cyberlocc]

You make very good points, and a lot of us on the forums feel crickets suck.

 

[CK415]

I would love to stop feeding crickets, but my Cham won't eat Dubia Roaches. ?

 

[Ares05]

Never tried Dubias. Im not scared of them, but other people in the house might have heart failure if one escapes. Im also in Florida, and discoid roaches seem to be more expensive.

 

[MyChamSmoke]

Dubias also have four times the meat then crickets. They are costly but if you breed them pay off down the road. Could never get Chameleons to eat but once with cup feeding. Plus roaches don't smell like crickets do. Don't like feeding chams superworms they are hard to digest. But local pet stores have these and wax worms. Horn and silk are best but costly.

 

[JoXie411]

I rather enjoy the noise crickets make, my family is bothered by it but it’s very relaxing to me ?‍

Roaches have a far better immune system then crickets, they are less likely to pass on a pathogen. If you watch your dubias long enough you can witness them grooming themselves, it’s kinda cute

The male crickets are the ones that make noise, you can identify them by the wings. You can feed off males right away so you don’t have to deal with the noise, they rub there wings together witch makes the chirping sound

 

[CasqueAbove]

I would love to stop feeding crickets, but my Cham won't eat Dubia Roaches. ?

Don’t give up , make the bugs move. Mine had to learn.

 

[Syreptyon]

If I breathe even a liiittle bit around crickets, I break out in a full on rash on every joint in my body (and face, because why not). Only allergy I have and it only started a year or two ago. Between that and the ear-grating noises they make, I'll go very far out of my way to use other options

I'm definitely Team Avoid-Crickets-At-All-Costs

 

[CasqueAbove]

If I breathe even a liiittle bit around crickets, I break out in a full on rash on every joint in my body (and face, because why not). Only allergy I have and it only started a year or two ago. Between that and the ear-grating noises they make, I'll go very far out of my way to use other options

I'm definitely Team Avoid-Crickets-At-All-Costs

I have heard you can develop allergies to dubia? But so for only from one source, and they were selling roaches.

Anyone know more on this.

 

[jamest0o0]

I have heard you can develop allergies to dubia? But so for only from one source, and they were selling roaches.

Anyone know more on this.

Yes roach allergies are a real thing, as is with dusty frass from most insects/animals I'd imagine.

Also, idk why people stay on this dubia bandwagon, but there are better roach options. More enticing, similar care, just as hardy, can't climb, etc... discoids, orangeheads, cave roaches, deaths head, to name a few

 

[Syreptyon]

Yes roach allergies are a real thing, as is with dusty frass from most insects/animals I'd imagine.

Also, idk why people stay on this dubia bandwagon, but there are better roach options. More enticing, similar care, just as hardy, can't climb, etc... discoids, orangeheads, cave roaches, deaths head, to name a few

Preach! I'll second the orange head roaches, that's for sure. My chams ignore dubia, but go crazy for orange heads. I've had reasonable success with red runners, too

 

[jamest0o0]

Preach! I'll second the orange head roaches, that's for sure. My chams ignore dubia, but go crazy for orange heads. I've had reasonable success with red runners, too

I like red runners, but they freak some people out lol

 

[JoXie411]

If I breathe even a liiittle bit around crickets, I break out in a full on rash on every joint in my body (and face, because why not). Only allergy I have and it only started a year or two ago. Between that and the ear-grating noises they make, I'll go very far out of my way to use other options

I'm definitely Team Avoid-Crickets-At-All-Costs

That happens to my husband as well, he woke up one night not being able to breath. Kinda felt bad I almost killed my husband

 

[CasqueAbove]

Yes roach allergies are a real thing, as is with dusty frass from most insects/animals I'd imagine.

Also, idk why people stay on this dubia bandwagon, but there are better roach options. More enticing, similar care, just as hardy, can't climb, etc... discoids, orangeheads, cave roaches, deaths head, to name a few

Honestly my big selling point was they don't stink, live long, and quiet. It was't their great nutritional value.

As for other species, that is why I am here. I am just now learning of theses species and am looking into them.
I thank you for the info. My dubia are in tubs in my office. I an wondering if I should move them.

 

[jamest0o0]

Honestly my big selling point was they don't stink, live long, and quiet. It was't their great nutritional value.

As for other species, that is why I am here. I am just now learning of theses species and am looking into them.
I thank you for the info. My dubia are in tubs in my office. I an wondering if I should move them.

Hard to say, depends how much you're breathing it in. Like with other allergies, some people are never affected, others can have terrible reactions.

I believe science has been showing that young kids exposed to animals, even mice and roaches, grow up with much stronger immune systems and fewer allergies. Not sure how to take that, as idk anyone that wants roaches or mice running wild, but interesting fun fact. My wife was watching some netflix babies show that brought it up so I googled it. Makes me feel better about having my critters lol.

 

[Kaizen]

Orange heads are great, but they clearly have sharper legs than dubia. Adults are also on the big side for veileds and panthers.

 

[CK415]

Yes roach allergies are a real thing, as is with dusty frass from most insects/animals I'd imagine.

Also, idk why people stay on this dubia bandwagon, but there are better roach options. More enticing, similar care, just as hardy, can't climb, etc... discoids, orangeheads, cave roaches, deaths head, to name a few

Where can I find orange heads or red runners?

 

[Kaizen]

Where can I find orange heads or red runners?

@jamest0o0 is the man.

 

[snitz427]

Orange heads are great, but they clearly have sharper legs than dubia. Adults are also on the big side for veileds and panthers.

Idk why, but this just reminded me I forgot that I left a cup with dubia in my freezer. Thanks @jamest0o0

Better get it before John goes for the ice cream....

 

[jamest0o0]

Idk why, but this just reminded me I forgot that I left a cup with dubia in my freezer. Thanks @jamest0o0

Better get it before John goes for the ice cream....

LOL 2 new chams and dubias in the freezer. Bet john is thrilled