Starting a colony of crickets and/or mealworms?

[nanadoll101]

The title says it all. I'm planing on get 1 leopard Gecko and no one then 1. The pet store is a while away from my house and I was wondering if I should start a colony (or whatever it may be called) of crickets or mealworms. Which one would be the least hassle, noisy, smelly ect... Another thing I was worried about was if I do start one will I end up with so many insects that I wouldn't know what to do with them. I heard that mealworms have 500 eggs or so when they are in the beetle form and I won't have room to keep them. I don't have anything yet I want to do me research first. I am aware that Leopard geckos need a variety diet but i'm just starting out so...

 

[mtmountainman]

Mealworms work just fine, seems like a waste to start a whole colony for just one leopard gecko. It takes a couple of months for the offspring to get large enough to feed.

 

[SC Geckos]

Mealworms are easier than crickets IMO but I agree with Justin, I don't think producing your own feeders is worth the trouble if you only have one animal to feed. If anything just buy enough mealworms for a month or two, gutload them and keep them in the fridge until you need them. Just remove them once a week and let them warm up and eat for 24 hours.

 

[nanadoll101]

Would they change phases in the fridge and lose nutrient value? I read it slowed their metabolism down.
Also how would I store them?

I plan on getting a baby, so can I put crickets in the fridge as well or should I stick with little mealworms?

 

[mtmountainman]

Mealworms won't change phases in the fridge. You just need to make sure that you gutload them when you pull them out. Crickets will die in the fridge. When picking out a Leo, don't find the youngest one you can find. Look for one that is well started. If it is your first Leo, try to find one in the 15-20 gram range.

 

[nanadoll101]

Alright thank you!! Any tips on storing the mealworms in the fridge?

 

[mtmountainman]

I keep mine in 6qt bins with this chick feed. Once a week I pull them out and stick a carrot in there. I have 10 6qt tubs of mealworms in my fridge. My population exploded last month.

 

[nanadoll101]

Alright thanks!

 

[JM_Daniels]

Mealworms are the easiest by far!!! But it is still good to get as much variety in your leopard gecko's diet as possible. Since this is going to be your first and only leopard gecko, you might not want to breed feeders right away.

You'll probably need some time to just get used to caring for your gecko. Caring for feeders is not too hard, but it might be overwhelming to be learning to care for your first gecko and at the same time trying to get the insect breeding right. Maybe just buy different feeders online to start off? Then, after you get used to caring for the gecko and seeing how and what he likes to eat, you'll have a better idea of what insects to breed.

 

[nanadoll101]

Thank you!