Get rid of my crickets?

[SMPritchett10]

These small crickets are getting on my nerves! I am hearing that mealworms and dubias would be good for my Leo, but a local pet store told me not to do mealworms because it's hard for juveniles to digest their exoskeleton. Others have told me crickets need to be the staple diet.

Is it okay for me to stop getting crickets and just do dubia and mealworms? If so, how many should I feed my juvenile each day? I also do a waxworm every other day. Is this okay?
Thanks!

 

[ZombiGecko]

Mealworms are completely fine to feed as a staple for leopard geckos.. I feed mince mealies and dubias. I keep a dish of mealworms in with my geckos at all times and just re fill when they are emptied. Im trying to start up a colony so I dont feed dubia very much yet

 

[KTyne]

The reason people are against feeding Mealworms as a staple is because their ratio of exoskeleton to nutritious insides is to the point where people think they aren't worth it. They can also cause impaction if your husbandry requirements aren't up to par or if your Leo isn't healthy.

Honestly, they are fine to feed to your juvi if you gutload them and as long as she is healthy.

Also, a good rule with growing Leos is to just feed them as much as they will eat. Feed them until they start to slow down or start to seem uninterested.

Dubias are also great to feed, and the rule of thumb is just to not feed a bug that is wider than in between the Geckos eyes.

Also, Waxworms are just good to avoid as they are like candy to Leos! They can get addicted to them easily and refuse other food.

 

[katie_]

I feed super worms almost exclusively.
I suppliment with hornworns and silkworms.

Not using crickets is completely fine.

 

[KTyne]

I feed super worms almost exclusively.
I suppliment with hornworns and silkworms.

Not using crickets is completely fine.

Agreed, this is what I do. It works well.

 

[SMPritchett10]

But aren't super worms too big for my juvenile?

 

[KTyne]

You can buy some pretty small Superworms, or start off with Mealworms and once your Leo gets bigger then add Superworms. My Leos won't eat regular Mealworms anymore because they are so tiny!

 

[katie_]

Most juvies eat supers no problem