Bug Fear

[effythemurphleo]

Hiya, please be gentle on this one. I got a leo a few months ago and turns out I'm scared of most feeders. Really unexpected from me. I can look at them, chuck veggies in and dust them but please help in finding a way to feed them without having to tong them or risk them getting loose in Effy's tank. Meal and superworms are no issue but I can't just feed her worms forever! Please help!!! Thanks.

 

[acpart]

Why is tong feeding a problem? Does that make you uncomfortable as well? I don't see any problem with letting them loose in the tank. Leopard geckos are supposed to hunt. It's extremely unusual for a cricket (I assume that's what you're thinking of) or a roach will cause your gecko problems. How about if you start with the worms and add 1 of the feeders that make you uncomfortable? It's fine for it to be running around the enclosure, that's what triggers the hunting response. Good luck.

Aliza

 

[effythemurphleo]

The issue with letting them loose is that Effy is bioactive so they go straight into the soil. Crickets and locusts are currently an absolute no go for me I bought tubs and even giving them veg jeeved me. (I gave them to a 10yo as pets for his birthday. He loved them. ) I can't seem to catch the roaches. I think that is just a really bad heeby jeeby thing though, I get a hold, and shudder too badly to grip it. I will definitely make myself deal with one at a time though, that a good idea. Otherwise I might have to rescape the enclosure unfortunately but glad I have the option of letting them loose should it come to it.
Thank you.

 

[acpart]

I've never kept roaches because I promised the family I wouldn't. If a roach got into the bioactive enclosure, would it dig itself into the substrate, or run around on it like my crickets do? You could also experiment with these 2 things for the roaches: a. see if they'll climb out of a somewhat deep bowl so your gecko could eat them out of the bowl b. see if you can bring yourself to handle them with tongs or rubber gloves.
Good luck. It's not the end of the world if they eat mostly worms. Consider getting them some hornworms or silk worms occasionally for variety.

Aliza