Got some mealworms for my gecko today

[jerrymb]

I got a small tub of mealworms at Pet Smart today. My gecko ate 4 instantly. I know that mealworms can't be his only live food but the mealworms are so much easier to handle. He had no trouble grabbing them and eating them. The crickets seem to be a real battle for him. Are 4 mealworms at a time enough for him? He's about 6 inches long.

 

[SDCowboy]

Just leave a dish of them for him at all times.

 

[Pdrut]

Mealworms can be used as their main source of food. Many breeders do this and have no trouble whatsoever.

 

[jerrymb]

Mealworms can be used as their main source of food. Many breeders do this and have no trouble whatsoever.

That's good to know. I'm not crazy about the crickets. But I read a few things today that said that mealworms should never be their only source of live food.

 

[SDCowboy]

That's good to know. I'm not crazy about the crickets. But I read a few things today that said that mealworms should never be their only source of live food.

I don't get why anyone bothers with crickets. Just stick with mealies and give them the occasional waxworm as a treat or if they need to put on some weight.

 

[jerrymb]

I don't get why anyone bothers with crickets. Just stick with mealies and give them the occasional waxworm as a treat or if they need to put on some weight.

Thanks. That makes me happy. The mealworms are cleaner and so much easier. I've kept my crickets as clean as possible and the container they are in still stinks. The mealworms are a pleasure to use.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Jerry, mealworms are very easy to breed and maintain a constant supply. If you can order 500 online, since it's one gecko, that would be enough to get a colony going and still have plenty to feed while worms are growing up. Just some food for thought.

Worms are my gex staple diet, both supers and mealworms of various sizes since I breed both. Crickets are a PIA!

 

[SDCowboy]

Thanks. That makes me happy. The mealworms are cleaner and so much easier. I've kept my crickets as clean as possible and the container they are in still stinks. The mealworms are a pleasure to use.

I think it's mainly the old school reptile folks that still use the ol' crickets.

 

[jerrymb]

I think it's mainly the old school reptile folks that still use the ol' crickets.

I'll finish up the crickets I have and then get a large batch of mealworms going.

 

[PaladinGirl]

I keep a dish of mealworms in Toon's tank all the time. Recently I have also started using dubia roaches; I let them free roam in the tank and within a day or so they usually find themselves trying to take cover in the wrong place--Toon's hide I'm also trying hornworms now, which she seems to like. And...I admit it..I use crickets too! She seems to enjoy the hunt.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

I think it's mainly the old school reptile folks that still use the ol' crickets.

That cricket virus caused us to completely get away from feeding them. We saw some sick crickets just a few months ago sold at a show. The guy vending next to us had gotten a box to fed his beardies. Dubias are not legal in Florida, but I've considered some other feeder roaches.

 

[roger]

That cricket virus caused us to completely get away from feeding them. We saw some sick crickets just a few months ago sold at a show. The guy vending next to us had gotten a box to fed his beardies. Dubias are not legal in Florida, but I've considered some other feeder roaches.

unfortunately 6 out of my 25 leos wont touch anything else but crickets.

 

[jerrymb]

Tonight was wierd. I'm finishing up the few crickets I have left before switching over to mealworms. For the past 3 weeks Ren had a real tough time catching the crickets. Eventually he would get them but it took him awhile to catch and swallow them. Tonight I dropped the first cricket in and he instantly caught it. I dropped a second cricket in and again he grabbed it and swallowed it in a flash. Same goes for crickets 3-5. Why is he on the ball tonight but seemed to struggle the last few weeks catching the crickets?

 

[fl_orchidslave]

He's gotten comfortable in his new home, all his needs are being met, he's a happy boy now.

 

[jerrymb]

Now that he's all fattened up is every other day feeding OK?

 

[fl_orchidslave]

If he were mine, I would wait a bit and let him pace himself. While he's gotten comfortable, he still needs to feel secure in knowing there is plenty of food available. If he seems to be getting too pudgy, cut back on the amount at each feeding. Unless he's a pig (like one of my girls) he will start showing disinterest in daily feedings, and you will know he's ready to go to an every other day schedule.

 

[jerrymb]

Are 4-5 large crickets good for a single feeding?

 

[PaladinGirl]

That cricket virus caused us to completely get away from feeding them. We saw some sick crickets just a few months ago sold at a show. The guy vending next to us had gotten a box to fed his beardies. Dubias are not legal in Florida, but I've considered some other feeder roaches.

I'm curious about the cricket virus. Did it cause harm to any leos?

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Angie, I never heard of any health issues it caused in our animals. The question has come up many times. Maybe someone else can shed some light on this. I haven't been on the chameleon forum in a long time but there may be more information there, as well as using the search function here. The crickets would reach a specific growth stage and suddenly die off. Bottom line is that we don't want to feed anything that could possibly be detrimental, and a lot of folks looked for alternative feeders.

 

[Adinar]

I googled the cricket virus, and from the few hits that I skimmed thru I didn't catch anything about it being harmful to any of the animals that was eatting it, it just caused a massive shortage of the crickets. Granted I didn't go thru every single hit that came up, so who know. There was quite a few. This was the top one. Hope this helps.

Cricket Virus 2011 http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...-20100621_1_lucky-lure-cricket-farm-virus-bug