If you keep a reptile, amphibian or predatory invertebrate that feeds on insects at home, it is better for you to breed live food yourself, since there may be supply disruptions in any stores, and in winter it is unrealistic to find insects in nature. The most popular and available live food for breeding is crickets.
It is necessary
- - at least 4 containers measuring 60x40x30 cm;
- - foil, petroleum jelly, scotch tape;
- - sawdust, newspapers;
- - food;
- - containers with earth.
Instructions
Step 1
First of all, prepare several containers for insects of different ages. Note that even if you are very careful, crickets can escape. Find a glass, plastic, or wood box with a tight-fitting lid. The dimensions of the box can be 60x40 cm, the height is not less than 30 cm. Provide the entire lid area with ventilation openings. Do not leave the box ajar, as crickets not only jump well, but can climb on some surfaces (except glass and plastic). To prevent them from getting out of the wooden box, glue the walls with foil or tape, smear with Vaseline near the lid itself.
Step 2
Place a layer of dry fish food (daphnia, hamarus), oatmeal, sawdust or peat on the bottom so that the entire bottom is covered. Instead of such a layer, you can use filtered or newsprint, but, in any case, do not forget to change the substrate at least once a month.
Step 3
To accommodate more insects in the box, use cardboard boxes to increase the area they will walk on. For example, egg cartons are great, they can be stacked in several rows, and when it's time to feed your reptile, you can simply grab one and drop it into the trough.
Step 4
To maintain moisture in the box, spray the box with a spray bottle 1–2 times a week. You can also install a drinker if you have dry air and feed your crickets with dry food. Use a damp cloth or sponge in a saucer of water as a drinker.
Step 5
Feed the crickets alternately dry and juicy food. It can be mixed feed, milk powder, oatmeal, egg powder, bone or fish meal, dry food for dogs and cats, etc. Use chopped or grated carrots, apples, rutabagas, potatoes, turnips, lettuce, dandelions, etc. as a juicy food.
Step 6
To breed crickets, place a small box with loose, moist soil 5-7 cm thick next to them, you can close it with a lid with large holes. Write the date on the container and move it to another box after 7-9 days to prevent the crickets from loosening the ground and eating the eggs. Repeat this procedure for 3-4 weeks, each time placing the container in a new box, then feed the queens. By this time, the broodstock in the second box will grow up. This way, you form a continuous cycle, and you will always have crickets of different ages.
