Unsure of how to care for your feeder insects? We've got you.
Please refer below for specific care instructions tailored to each insect you've purchased. These guidelines will help ensure your insects thrive longer (saving you $$), and provide maximum nutrition to your pet!
Dubias offer a low-maintenance and odor-free alternative to crickets, as they cannot climb, fly, and importantly, do not emit any unpleasant smells. They can be housed either in a Critter Keeper or the container they arrived in, adapting well to regular room temperature and humidity levels. Their breeding is restricted to conditions of high heat and humidity, which is why they are not classified as pests in most US states.
Remarkably resilient, Dubias can survive for extended periods without food or water. However, to ensure optimal nutrition for your pet, it's recommended to gut-load the Dubias with insect food and/or provide a carrot for both hydration and a boost of vitamin A.
Keep hornworms in their original container, designed for climbing and equipped with a nutritious diet. Store the container upside down to facilitate climbing and waste management. Remove feces from bottom of container daily as they may try to ingest which will cause death if not corrected.
Maintain hornworms at room temperature or refrigerate them to slow their metabolism and extend shelf life. Hornworms come with a specialized diet included in their packaging that also provides them with hydration. Handle hornworms gently with clean hands or soft tweezers to prevent stress or injury. Regularly check hornworms for signs of illness, dehydration, or abnormalities, removing any unhealthy individuals promptly. Dust hornworms with reptile supplements before feeding them to ensure nutritional balance.​
Mealworms present a convenient and low-odor option for pet feed, lacking the ability to climb or fly, thus minimizing the risk of escape. They can be kept in the packaging they were received in, thriving well at normal room temperature and humidity.
For those looking to reduce maintenance further, mealworms can be hibernated by placing them in a cooler environment, such as a refrigerator, slowing their metabolism and extending their lifespan significantly. Despite this dormancy, it's essential to periodically awaken them for nourishment to maintain their nutritional value as pet feed. Offering a fresh carrot weekly serves dual purposes; it hydrates the mealworms and enriches them with vitamin A, ensuring they remain a nutritious food source. After feeding, allow the mealworms to sit out at room temperature for 24 hours to properly digest and metabolize the carrot before returning them to their hibernated state. This process ensures your pet receives the highest quality feed while minimizing the effort on your part.
Caring for Dairy Cow Isopods as feeder insects for your reptiles is simple. Use a well-ventilated container or terrarium with a secure lid and a substrate of coconut coir or organic materials, ensuring a depth of at least 2 inches. Maintain temperatures between 70-80°F (21-27°C) and humidity at 60-80%. Feed them a diet of organic vegetables, fruits, and leafy greens, supplemented with calcium sources like crushed eggshells. Keep their enclosure hydrated with regular misting, but avoid over-saturation to prevent mold. Isopods require humidity in their environment or they will die. Moss and leaf litter retain moisture and provide hiding spots ideal for isopods. Clean out uneaten food and waste regularly, and change the substrate every few months.
Encourage breeding by providing stable conditions and hiding spots. Minimize handling to reduce stress, and store them in a dark, quiet place away from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight when not in use.
Wax worms can be kept in container they were purchased in or a container with good ventilation. They will last up to two weeks at room temperature, but can survive longer in cooler temperatures. If available, they can be kept in a a refrigerator or wine cooler at no cooler than 50 degrees for maximum longevity. Frequently check for blackened worms and remove.
Superworms are known for their hardiness and the ease with which they can be kept. However, they cannot be refrigerated like mealworms, as colder temperatures can harm them. Keep your superworms in a well-ventilated container at room temperature. This environment keeps them active and healthy, ready to be used as feeders at any time.Superworms benefit greatly from regular feedings of fresh vegetables. Once a week, introduce a fresh slice of carrot into their container. The carrot serves not only as a source of hydration but also provides essential nutrients, including vitamin A, enhancing the nutritional value of the superworms for your pets.
Our springtails are sold in a container pre-filled with a clay medium that retains moisture. They can be kept at room temperature avoiding direct sunlight. Their container comes pre-filled with food, but if kept for longer than one week, simple brewers yeast can be sprinkled onto clay medium for food. If clay appears dry, spray with filtered water from a spray bottle to moisten. To feed to your pet or add springtails to enviornment, simply turn container upside down and tap desired amount of springtails onto lid and then place in terrarium.