Small worm with crickets

[camay123]

I always buy crickets from same place, but decided to try another place lately.

The new place is way more generous, when I ask for 100, I usually get 150-200.

But I have found something weird. Im finding small 1/4 inch dark "worm" in the bag.

In my cricket container, I have some water gel in a bowl. Today I decided to change the gel to some new ones, only to find, small withish worms in the bottom of the bowl.

What could that be ?

 

[herpencounter]

They are always in crick bags, they dont hurt a thing.

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

small withish worms in the bottom of the bowl.

What could that be ?

Sounds like maggots, depends on the variety of insect to determine the type but that is what it sounds like to me.

How many leos/reptiles are you feeding, ordering 100 crix is more for pet store prepacked boxes as far as I know, Ive not seen a supplier that supplies that low of a count on a non pre little boxed order that would be for resale.

Have you tried mealies?

 

[BalloonzForU]

I believe you are talking about those little black, fuzzy wuzzy worms. They change into what looks like a mini darkling beatle, and they are highly parasitic. I wouldn't buy from that place again.

As for the little white ones that are in your crix container that's weird.

 

[gothra]

I'm guessing those little white ones under the water gel are maggots too. About the black, fuzzy worms, I think they live on cricket poops and sheds?

 

[camay123]

Hmmm different opinion. Ill wait for more answers.

Im buying 100 crickets (more like 150-200) for 3 geckos. Once every 7-10 days.

 

[steve75]

I believe you are talking about those little black, fuzzy wuzzy worms. They change into what looks like a mini darkling beatle, and they are highly parasitic. I wouldn't buy from that place again.

As for the little white ones that are in your crix container that's weird.

I agree 100% with this. You should never get other bugs in your feeders, it's just a foul, irresponsible practice on the shop's part. You can find better shops that will still give you hook-ups. Best of luck.

 

[camay123]

Here is two pictures from thos critters

 

[steve75]

BTW, I used to order 100+ at a time also and receive ~500 for 2 leos. You can never have too many feeders...they'll just breed and make more for you.

 

[steve75]

Those are exactly what BalloonzForU was refering to.

 

[Vanilla]

I have had those in cricket orders before too.They are a beetle larvae.They are harmless though.I always just remove them and throw them outdoors.However I haven't bought crickets in over 2 months,my leos are fed mealies as a staple.

 

[jenkznza]

The black fuzzies are Dermestid Beetle larvae. They feed on dead worms, crickets, etc.. Some insect companies actually put them in their bins to consume dead crickets and molts. It works pretty good, but they are a huge nuisance when it comes to sorting time.

They are native to the US and have a wide distribution world wide. A lot of Bearded Dragon owners/breeders feed them to their young Dragons without any problems. I'm not aware of any problems with feeding them to Leopard Geckos, but I've never fed them to one either.