Found Mold in Cricket Container: What should I look for in the Gecko?

[x_dimension]

I was checking on my cricket container and found a lot of mold under the water pillow (some of the dry feed I use probably spilled while I was moving it somewhere.) I got a new batch of crickets, let the old ones free outside and am currently soaking the moldy container in baking soda. My main concern is that Dexter may have eaten a cricket or two that ate moldy food and the vet in my town is closed until Monday. What health signs should I be on the lookout for to make sure she’s ok?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I was checking on my cricket container and found a lot of mold under the water pillow (some of the dry feed I use probably spilled while I was moving it somewhere.) I got a new batch of crickets, let the old ones free outside and am currently soaking the moldy container in baking soda. My main concern is that Dexter may have eaten a cricket or two that ate moldy food and the vet in my town is closed until Monday. What health signs should I be on the lookout for to make sure she’s ok?

Getting a new batch of crickets + soaking the cricket container in baking soda are excellent moves!

Mold spores travel in the air. Mold spores could cause breathing issues and allergy-related skin itching.

If that happens again, please freeze the moldy crickets. Once the crickets have died, then toss them in the garbage!

1. If ventilation is low & moisture is high, there is a high mold risk.
2. Was the mold you discovered black mold? Some types of mold are more problematic than others.
3. What are your current outside temps?

From Google:
What kills mold better than bleach?
Does Bleach or Vinegar Kill Mold? Bleach and distilled white vinegar can both kill mold, but vinegar is much more effective for removing mold from porous materials. This is because bleach only kills mold spores on the surface of affected materials. Vinegar will penetrate porous materials and kill the mold at the roots. Dec 9, 2016

Does baking soda kill mold?
Baking soda can also be used to kill mold in your home. Unlike other mold killers, which contain harsh chemicals, baking soda is mild (pH of 8.1) and harmless to your family and pets. Besides killing mold, baking soda also deodorizes, so it can also get rid of the smell mold leaves in your home. Feb 19, 2020

Instead of using "water pillows", I layer 1/2-size egg flats back-to-back, then front-to-front, et cetera. This gives crickets plenty of space! This works well in a 10 gallon cricket enclosure or in 56 quart Sterilite tubs. I cover the egg flats with a double layer of paper towels. Then mist just the paper towels at noon and at midnight. I've had awesome results lately keeping the majority of 1/2 grown & 1/3 grown crickets alive & growing.

I feed all the crickets finely ground Zoo Med's Natural ADULT Bearded Dragon Food.

Lately I've been ordering

• 250 2/3 grown crickets
• 250 1/2 grown crickets
• & 1,000 1/3 grown crickets

Mostly I feed off the oldest crickets first & then the 1/2 growns. Weeks & weeks later the 1/3 growns are ready for my largest geckos.

 

[x_dimension]

Thanks for the reply!
I didn’t find any black mold, it was just green/grey and fuzzy. This time of year, I usually keep my apartment at 70-75 degrees. Also, I don’t raise my own crickets. There’s a pet store in town that I buy full grown ones from, usually once a week, depending on how much Dexter eats.
Speaking of Dexter, it looks like she’s been doing ok. She ate some of the new crickets last night and her poop looks normal. I’m not sure how to spot breathing issues in Leopard geckos however. What do they look like?
Thank you again for the reply and the advice!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thanks for the reply!
I didn’t find any black mold, it was just green/grey and fuzzy. This time of year, I usually keep my apartment at 70-75 degrees. Also, I don’t raise my own crickets. There’s a pet store in town that I buy full grown ones from, usually once a week, depending on how much Dexter eats.
Speaking of Dexter, it looks like she’s been doing ok. She ate some of the new crickets last night and her poop looks normal. I’m not sure how to spot breathing issues in Leopard geckos however. What do they look like?
Thank you again for the reply and the advice!

You're welcome.

What I shared, mainly, was a different way to keep crickets hydrated IF you discover more mold. Maybe the mold you found was ONLY connected to the accidentally moist insect food.

I inquired about your outside temps right now in hopes that the crickets you released will die soon and not affect other critters.

What are Dexter's ground temps underneath her warm DRY hide as measured by the probe of a digital thermometer?

Spotting breathing issues in leos:

1. Sneezing
2. Irregular breathing
3. Mouth gaping open

 

[Herpin Man]

Never, ever, release non-native insects.