[DragonsMaelstrom]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Freer

Those nasty older Jamaican field crickets, Gryllus assimilis, were biting me . Thank goodness I recently found a permanent source for my favs the Acheta domestica---the gentle brown crickets.

Don't know if the cricket farmers?/ranchers? have gotten a handle on the disease that was sweeping through the captive populations of Acheta domestica or not. My understanding is that the captive populations in Europe were all but wiped out. Fortunately for the European hobbyists, there were already several alternative feeders available. The disease did make it "over the pond" and cleaned out a number of feeder cricket suppliers in the US. Has anyone heard if this is still a major problem?

Originally Posted by Yoshi'smom

Yeah. I know how you feel.... I sometimes have to go searching all over the place to get the brown crickets.... I've been considering more and more of starting my own feeder colonies.

Considering how much cricket colonies stink (literally), if you do go the route of raising your own, do so in a well ventilated area with a screen on the bin. The 'stink factor' has been a major motivator for several herp/invert hobbyists I've chatted with to switch to roaches. (Another perk is roaches don't chirp at all hours of the night. )

[cricket4u]

Originally Posted by Riverside Reptiles

It's been discussed a million times in the past. It's one of those topics that goes around and around on reptile forums.

The eating through the stomache rumor that never ends

[cricket4u]

It's unfortunate roaches are not allowed in Canada, but at least they have access to phoenix worms, silkworms and hornworms that they can add to the diet. The crickets are manageable if kept in a 10 gallon tank (lots of ventilation), bought in a small size so they won't chirp (geckos are small so they do not need the large size). Also if you scoop the poop once a day and keep things clean they rarely stink.

[Elizabeth Freer]

Originally Posted by DragonsMaelstrom

Don't know if the cricket farmers?/ranchers? have gotten a handle on the disease that was sweeping through the captive populations of Acheta domestica or not. My understanding is that the captive populations in Europe were all but wiped out. Fortunately for the European hobbyists, there were already several alternative feeders available. The disease did make it "over the pond" and cleaned out a number of feeder cricket suppliers in the US. Has anyone heard if this is still a major problem?

Considering how much cricket colonies stink (literally), if you do go the route of raising your own, do so in a well ventilated area with a screen on the bin. The 'stink factor' has been a major motivator for several herp/invert hobbyists I've chatted with to switch to roaches. (Another perk is roaches don't chirp at all hours of the night. )

The denso virus decimated some USA cricket suppliers. There are, however, several major suppliers who have viable populations of Acheta domestica and who are taking stringent precautions to ensure their continued availability!

I think the key to "stinky crickets" is controlling the moisture you provide. Mostly I feed a dry diet with the exception of carrots and collard greens. To provide moisture, I spray a paper towel which is layered atop the egg crates about every other day depending upon the weather. Keeping the crickets at room temperature extends their lives. They don't grow as quickly.

I keep mine in open 56 quart Sterilite bins.

[JIGSAW818]

Originally Posted by cricket4u

The eating through the stomache rumor that never ends

You don't think super worms can at least do some damage inside? I find it hard to believe that a lot of reptile owners don't think this is possible.. I'm not talking about eating through the stomach but biting to some extent just until the worm dies? Look at how many people on these forums say " leo stopped eating... gecko stopped eating... blood in feces...."" questions asked what are you feeding them? " Super worms... Meal worms."

Just something to think about. + Anything is possible you know? Accidents happen...

Also sorry for your loss PantherGecko.. That picture is saddening.

[cricket4u]

Originally Posted by JIGSAW818

You don't think super worms can at least do some damage inside? I find it hard to believe that a lot of reptile owners don't think this is possible.. I'm not talking about eating through the stomach but biting to some extent just until the worm dies? Look at how many people on these forums say " leo stopped eating... gecko stopped eating... blood in feces...."" questions asked what are you feeding them? " Super worms... Meal worms."

Just something to think about. + Anything is possible you know? Accidents happen...

Also sorry for your loss PantherGecko.. That picture is saddening.

That comment had nothing to do with the photo. I don't think it was Panthergecko's leo. He provided a link to that website in which the person provided the picture. I don't feed superworms at all due to the fat content and possibility of biting. I guess you did not realize I was the one who started the thread as a warning.

The description "eating through the stomache" is improper. Can they bite internally? Under certain conditions I believe so. Within a few seconds of the worm entering the mouth, if not chewed enough and/or fed to a weak and ill reptile.

[cricket4u]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Freer

I think the key to "stinky crickets" is controlling the moisture you provide.

Agree! I change the all water sources daily and keep the dry and wet food on the opposite corners. I also keep them in a room where it's 70-75 degrees and it slows their growth allowing them to live longer.

[BrooklynJoe]

While I do agree Superworms are pretty feisty based on my recent discovery of one trying to nick me a few times over. I do not believe a lot of the problems/claims. I think it varies. Some owners of leos maybe feeding supers to smaller geckos making it more difficult to digest the exoskeleton. Though they can, please keep in mind geckos have been thriving in the wild eating all types of grub and bugs lol without us getting involved. I'm sure in captivity they can survive if cared for properly they can do the same. Take some precautions but as stated before switch to dubia's, turkishtan roaches, occasional worm medley, crickets as well and you will be fine.

Gecko diet from juvi to adult appropriate sized feeders

-Considering a pinkie for a female who may start breeding this or next season I want advice on that
-dubia is pretty much their staple diet, you dont need a lot to fill a leo & needed protein to fat ratio
-meal worm, bi weekly
-SUPERWORMS bi weekly usually two depending on the leo give or take a worm
-four wax worm, once a month
-two butter worms
-20 or more crickets weekly, i try to stay away from "field" crickets because those buggers jump high and chew threw things worst than "house" crickets

As this diet is working out fine for my leos it may not for others. Try to mix up what you can afford, what is safe for the leos and what is best for you to mix-in I have heard of locust being fed and many others. I am very leary about feeding certain bugs and having certain bugs or feeders.
Also when animals are presented to the pet trade extensive research has been done to see if they are marketable, so with the animals comes a market of feeders or what is being told they should be fed because the animal(s) can thrive. I remember when I hated leos a dealer tried his best to sell me one saying "all they need is calcium and a crickets thats it buddy". BS !!! The dude was selling crickets on his table along with the 8-9 leos.

[cricket4u]

Originally Posted by BrooklynJoe

-Considering a pinkie for a female who may start breeding this or next season I want advice on that

I really don't feel like being the Grinch today, So I will make it simple "NO"

[Riverside Reptiles]

There's absolutely no reason to ever feed pinkies to a leo. They simply aren't healthy and if you want to keep/add weight to a breeding female, there are much healthier ways to go about it.