Mealworm Shortage

[Gecko Ranch]

Bassett's in Visalia CA has med-sized supers which I have been feeding to the hatchling leos. There are some really tiny supers in there that even my Webfoots and Viper geckos are eating, and they are really enjoying them!

You'll find any appropriately sized food, crickets, supers, mealworms, will be taken by any leo granted they get hungry enough to eat it. I've had folks tell me my hatchlings and older leos will not touch mealworms after they have been raised on these items only...it is a matter of hunger, putting the proper supplement they recognize on them (in my case Calcium Plus) plus the reasons already stated.

 

[Geckoreo]

From Sunshine
"Robert,
I'm so sorry we are out of mealworms until the beginning of July, please try back then.
Thank-you, Debbe"

 

[NickOC]

I havent been able ot get ahold of mike from WOP, but they have mealies in stock. I should get to talk to him on friday to see if I can order bulk.

 

[Halley]

I just got my crick in today. I really didn't want to feed them to my leos. Luckily though, they all seemed to really like them.

 

[Gecko Ranch]

I just got my crick in today. I really didn't want to feed them to my leos. Luckily though, they all seemed to really like them.

Why? It is nice to get alternative food to vary their diet, and crix are good nutritionally.

 

[Halley]

Why? It is nice to get alternative food to vary their diet, and crix are good nutritionally.

I have just heard bad things about cricks. I also just prefer my feeders to stay in a bowl, so I can tell how much they have consumed, with just a quick glance in the cage.

 

[paulnj]

Crix from a reputable supplier are not bad.

 

[Paco]

Crickets smell like POO!!! I hate em.

 

[Gecko Ranch]

I have just heard bad things about cricks. I also just prefer my feeders to stay in a bowl, so I can tell how much they have consumed, with just a quick glance in the cage.

Would like to hear some of those things! What Paul said is true, maybe he has a good idea of the "bad cricket" situations?

I agree, it is nice to see immediately how much the geckos have eaten right away.

 

[paulnj]

Crickets from my local chain petstores:main_thumbsdown: gave me pins.... never again will I buy feeders at either of them.

 

[Ccrashca069]

I used to feed crickets when I first got into leopard geckos when I only had 4. Now I have somewhere around 37 or so. Time to go the superworm route and maybe crickets again.

 

[Gecko Ranch]

Crickets from my local chain petstores:main_thumbsdown: gave me pins.... never again will I buy feeders at either of them.

Petstores!:main_rolleyes:

 

[Halley]

Originally Posted by Halley
I have just heard bad things about cricks. I also just prefer my feeders to stay in a bowl, so I can tell how much they have consumed, with just a quick glance in the cage.

Would like to hear some of those things! What Paul said is true; maybe he has a good idea of the "bad cricket" situations?

I agree, it is nice to see immediately how much the geckos have eaten right away.

I have seen a pic of a gecko that had its back bone showing from the crickets nibbling on it (the gecko was very skinny, and if I can find a link I will post it) the other things that cornered me was that they are lose in the cage, and it is possible for them to bug the geckos, even if not causing real harm. I though that this nagging could cause stress to the animal, The other thing I worried about was that the crickets might eat fecal matter, which could then later go into the gecko, and cause problems. I also think mealworms, and other grubs, are easy to feed, as I can keep them in a bowl, and watch to see how many disappear, instead of checking the whole cage, to find out how much the gecko ate.

However I’m not as concerned now, as the geckos do seem to really like them, and I think I might make them a part of their diet, even after the mealworms shortage is over. As I have feed crickets, to pets for a number of year. I was just concerned as I can’t possible watch the crickets in each cage, all the time, and thought they might cause damage while I was looking.

 

[wings2fly]

When I feed any bug that runs loose in the cage, I have started putting in a carrot or lettus to make sure that the bugs (crickets/roaches) don't nibble on the geckos. The crickets usually take to it, but the roaches usually just look for a place to hide, like under the paper towels if they don't get eaten first.

Carin

 

[Kristi23]

I've been able to find small amounts locally still. I bought all 500 that petsmart had yesterday and 500 from a reptile store. So there are still some out there. Just not in huge amounts. I paid a small fortune that way though.

 

[Kotsay1414]

Hey guys,

There is an article on the Mealworm Shortage in the latest issue of the Leopard Gecko Magazine. It can be downloaded at www.leopardgeckomagazine.com

Thanks,

Kyle

 

[yellermelon]

theres a store up the road that has lots-a-mealworms. 10 for a dollar....I umm...yeah refuse to pay that lol.

 

[NickOC]

Im getting a price quote for bulk adults in lots of 10,000. I should hear back in a day or so.

 

[NickOC]

No beans, they arent giving bulk disount and want retail for them....:main_no: I also think they are out of smalls as I couldnt get a straight answer.

 

[Harmurray]

I am using medium supers in the meantime but its really hurting my pocket book. Lets all pray that this situation resolves itself quickly.

Harold