Housing and Maintaining Feeder Insects for Busy People

Raising feeder insects for reptiles such as crickets, roaches, mealworms, silkworms, and pill bugs (slaters) is a simple process when properly housed, fed, watered, and cared for to ensure healthy colonies. Maintaining hygiene and providing the correct environmental conditions is essential for preventing disease, promoting colony growth, and preparing insects for gut loading before feeding them to your reptile.

Key Points

• Insects will die from dehydration before they will from hunger.
• Crickets and roaches need direct water sources.
• Mealworms, silkworms, and black soldier fly larvae obtain water from their vegetation.
• Suitable containers prevent escapes and ensure ventilation.
• Regular cleaning prevents disease and odors.
• Overcrowding leads to stress, disease, and cannibalism.

Basic Requirements for Insect Care

Regardless of the type of insect or other arthropods, here are the essentials:

• Ventilated Containers: Ensure proper airflow and prevent escapes.
• Clean Water Sources: Prevent dehydration.
• Proper Food: Maintain insect health while delivering nutrients that are beneficial to the reptile.
• Temperature Control: Ideally keep between 20-30°C depending on purpose. Can be kept at lower temperatures for maintenance; or ideal temperatures for breeding and higher productivity. Each insect has its own optimal temperature, for example mealworms the optimal temperature is 25°C (77°F) (Punzo, 1975).
• Hygiene: Clean containers regularly to prevent odors and disease.
• Ovoid Overcrowding: Overcrowding, lack of control of cleanliness and/or lack of ventilation will result in strong odors and spread of disease.

Water Sources for Insects

Some insects obtain sufficient water from vegetables, but others require a more direct water source. Dehydration is often more dangerous for insects than hunger.

Insects that Require a Direct Water Source:

• Crickets
• Cockroaches

Insects that do not Require a Direct Water Source:

• Mealworms and beetles
• Silkworms
• Black Soldier Fly larvae
• Earthworms

Direct Water Sources

Pet Water Containers

Pet water containers provide an excellent source of water. However, since most feeder insects will drown in little more than a drop of water (especially crickets), some ingenuity is required to ensure it is safe.

Materials such as sponges, aquarium filter sheet, wire mesh and even gauze (multiple layers to bulk it out) can provide an ideal safety net between the insects and the water. This allows full access to water whilst unable to drown. Cut the materials to size and place on top of the water outlet.

If used in breeding containers then wrap the filter in gauze or similar tightly woven fabric to prevent minute insects like pinhead crickets falling through the filter. The gauze will not last as long as the filter if washed properly so spares will be required. The water containers should be cleaned at least twice a week or sooner if the colony is crowded.

• Advantages: Pet water containers can provide a continuous water source.
• Maintenance: Water containers require cleaning at least twice a week to prevent bacterial buildup, especially in crowded colonies.

Some type of material needs to be placed in the water container outlet to prevent drowning of insects, especially tiny ones like pin head crickets. Some materials that can be used are:

Sponges

• Kitchen sponges soaked in water can provide hydration without risk of drowning however, they will not last as long as aquarium filters or wire.
• Kitchen sponges generally have antibacterial properties (impregnated during manufacturing) which could cause issues including death in the colony.

Aquarium Filters

• Aquarium filters will last for years if kept clean and they are easy to disinfect.

Wire Mesh (eg fly door screen)

• Wire mesh will last for a long time dependent on what it is made of and it is easy to disinfect.

Water Gels

• Advantages:
  • Water gels are easy to setup.
  • Water gels do not present drowning risks. Some are marketed as gut-loading aids.
• Disadvantages:
  • Calcium fotified cricket cubes do not change the calcium content of crickets (Finke, 2004).
  • Water gels can become expensive. Water gels can be rinsed, but not cleaned properly (disinfected) and therefore require regular replacement.
  • Water gels may require additional water to top them up in between replacement.
  • Some water gels have been found to cause smaller insects to get stuck to them.
  • Some gels come with added nutrients which may will present issues with controlling how much of a good thing insects are being loaded with and consquently how much the reptiles are getting. Best to have plain water gels. It is far better to be able to measure the level of calcium being provided during gut loading than blindly providing products with unknown value.
  • Avoid garden gels from garden centres unless you’re sure they don’t contain added chemicals harmful to insects.

Indirect Water Sources

Indirect water sources such as for mealworms is achieved by vegetation. Pill bugs (slaters) and earthworms require a moist substrate in their environment.

Housing Feeder Insects: Containers and Setup

Choosing the right containers for housing feeder insects significantly affects the colony’s health and productivity. Insects can generally survive in just about any container, however this is not about survival, it is about maintaining healthy food sources for your reptile.

The right container setup ensures insect health and productivity while minimizing maintenance for busy owners.:

• cleaning,
• setups required for breeding continual stock, and
• need to introduce new stock to prevent inbreeding.

General Housing Requirements

• Large Containers: Large containers with smaller insect populations will reduce the number of times the containers need to be cleaned in a week.
• Smooth surfaces to prevent climbing. Apply a smear of Vaseline around the container’s edges to stop roaches from escaping.
• Ventilation: All containers need adequate airflow, with crickets and roaches requiring more ventilation than mealworms.
• Number of Containers: A minimum of 2 containers should be kept at any time to make cleaning easy for busy people.
• Cleaning: Cleaning is required at least weekly.

Container Setup

• Choose dark containers: Using dark, non opaque containers will make it easier to interchange containers for any species of insect however any color can be used.
• Choose containes with slippery sides: The surfaces should be shiny and slippery making it harder for insects to escape and cleaning will be easier.
• Extra slip protection at top: To prevent escapes use a light smear of Vaseline around the top of the container. Alternatively there is a paint called Fluon which is difficult for insects like roaches to get past, they just slide off. The downside to Vaseline is that it can trap dirt in it whereas Fluon dries.
• Use large containers: Large containers also prevent overcrowding which canresult in rapid spread of disease and cannibalism in a number of insect species.
• Keep a spare container: One spare container should be kept as a minimum, this will allow for switching the insects to a freshly setup container during cleaning time which is best at least once a week, more if the colony is heavily populated.
• Air circulalation: All insect colonies require good air circulation.
  Crickets, roaches and silkworms can and should be provided with ventilation through both the lid and the sides of the containers. The side ventilation need only be on two sides and does not need to be significant, but it all contributes to providing good airflow.

The following housing setups are aimed at small insect colonies and busy pet owners:

• Crickets are fine with some light, but not direct sunlight. They will do better (certainly less stressed) if they don’t get a great deal of visibility of the outside world to disturb them. They need a water source, food dish and a container to lay their eggs in. Crickets also need hiding areas, often egg cartons but any cardboard folded up into sections will do. 50 litre containers will easily provide for 1500 crickets along with all their accessories which is far more than required for a reptile or two.
• Roaches love darkness and will avoid light areas of a container such as the sides of a see through container. They also need a water container, food dish and vertically placed egg carton trays to provide ample hiding and living quarters.
• Mealworms also love darkness and will avoid light areas of a container such as the sides of a see through container. If a light container has been used then either keep the container in a dark area or cover the outside with foil to block the light. Mealworms do not need any additional water source outside of the vegetation in their diet.
  Mealworms are best kept with only ventilation through the lid as they will eat through any glue or other means used to attach the ventilation materials on the sides of the container if they can reach it.
• Silkworms are just focused on food, any color container should do for them. They will need some thing to attach their cocoons to if they are allowed to pupate. Paper towels can be used on the flooring and can be easily replaced when getting soiled.
• Pill Bugs (Roly Poly, Slaters, Woodlice) do not like the light. Providing moisture gradient in the substrate from damp to reasonably dry will allow them to have a dry area for feeding and all the moisture they need in the wet area.
  The housing requires a substrate a few inches deep.
  No further water source is needed.
  Some hides should be provided including pieces of wood.
  Pill bugs do not require their environment to be cleaned like insects.

Move Insects Out of Containers They Were Purchased In

Insects are often sold in small containers meant to save space in stores. However, these containers are not suitable for long-term care, and insects can quickly become unhealthy, leading to issues like mold, dehydration, or even death. After purchase, immediately transfer the insects to proper housing, and ensure they are well-fed and hydrated before feeding them to your reptile.

Creating the Insect Housing

Here’s a step-by-step guide for creating proper insect housing:

Cut Holes in the Lid for ventillation: Use a jigsaw, grinder with cutting disk, stanley knife (be careful they can easily slip on the plastic) or appropriate tool to cut ventilation holes. Start with the ventillation in the lid and add further ventillation to the sides if needed later. Mealworms only need ventilation through the lid.

Cut & Install Metal Flywire: Fly wire is used to cover the ventillation cutout in the lid. You can either:

• Attach the wire to the lid with glue, or
• Cut a large enough peice of fly wire that it can be captured with the lid when closing.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Clean housing regularly to prevent disease and odors. Odors indicate poor conditions.

• Cleaning Frequency: Once a week for most colonies, more often if overcrowded.
• Process:
  1. Setup the 2nd container.
  2. Move the insects into the 2nd container.
  3. Discard waste and old food.
  4. Clean any debri with warm soap and water.
  5. Disinfect with the same disinfectant used for reptiles.
  6. Replace bedding or substrate.

Conclusion

Proper care, housing, and feeding of feeder insects are vital for providing reptiles with nutritious, healthy food. Whether you are maintaining feeder insects for gut-loading or breeding your own colony, following these best practices ensures the insects are safe, clean, and ready for your reptiles.

Cockroach Cuisine: Evaluating Cockroaches for Bearded Dragons

Cockroaches for bearded dragons do not sound like the most glamorous option, but they offer nutrients that can benefit your reptile. In addition, the value of cockroaches can be improved through gut-loading and dusting. While cockroaches like Dubia provide high protein, other insects such as earthworms supply valuable calcium. Feeder insects should not be relied […]

Chitin Check-Up: Is Chitin in Insects Safe for Bearded Dragons?

Chitin in insects is a natural component of their exoskeletons, providing structural support like cellulose in plants. The presence of chitin in insects is important because it can impact their digestibility and nutritional value. Knowing the chitin content of different insect species can help you make better decisions about your bearded dragon’s diet. This article […]

The Crunch on the Value of Crickets for Bearded Dragons

The nutritional value of crickets for bearded dragons can be improved with gut-loading and dusting. Crickets provide a decent source of protein, their nutritional value can be limited due to deficiencies in essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin A, and omega-3 fatty acids. Gut-loading and dusting practices improve crickets’ nutritional value. Crickets for bearded dragons are […]

Banquet of Mealworms for Bearded Dragons

Mealworms for Bearded Dragons Tenebrio molitor, typically known as mealworms and darkling beetles, can be part of your bearded dragons diet at pupae, mealworms and beetle stages. Mealworms offer variety, but moderation is key. Mealworms for bearded dragons need to be fed in small amounts. Feeding large large quantities of mealworms or relying solely on […]

Best Insects for Bearded Dragons: Nutrition & Feeding Guide

Bearded dragons are generalist feeders, thriving on a diverse diet that also encourages natural hunting behaviors important for their mental and physical well-being. The quantity and type of insects required depend on the bearded dragon’s age and life stage with variety being important. Bearded dragons start life as insectivores which supports their rapid growth and […]

Keeping and Raising Mealworms for Busy People

Mealworms are a popular feeder insect for bearded dragons, known for their ease of care. Whether you’re breeding them at home or simply keeping pre-purchased mealworms alive and healthy for feeding, this guide will help streamline the process for busy pet owners. Mealworms are not worms, they are the larval stage of the darkling beetle, […]

References

• Punzo, F. (1975) Effects of Temperature, Moisture and Thermal Acclimation on the Biology of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae) Doctoral dissertation Doctor of Philosophy. Iowa State University