Cleaning pede's cage with mealworms

[Scoly]

There are reports of woodlice nibbling at pedes, so they are best avoided. Springtails are to be found in any damp soil with decaying plant matter, here's how to collect them:

1. Get some soil/leaf mulch
2. Place in a large bowl, and flood with water.
3. A load of tiny creatures will float to the surface.
4. Observe closely, you will see some jump about - these are springtails (Note there are also springtails which don't jump: globular springtails)
5. Suck up the springtails from the surface using a syringe if you have one, or just scoop up with a spoon.
6. Pour the water + springtails into a damp corner of your viv, and leave a bit of food, they will soon thrive.

You can also start a colony of springtails, but that's a different ball game. Many keepers just buy/source once and effectively keep a "colony" scattered across their various tubs and vivariums. The reason you don't want to simply throw the soil or leaf litter straight in is because you will quite possibly introduce woodlice and/or other harmful critters (note, mites will always show up, and they are nothing to worry about, though probably a good indicator of bad ventilation).

 

[Myron]

There are reports of woodlice nibbling at pedes, so they are best avoided. Springtails are to be found in any damp soil with decaying plant matter, here's how to collect them:

1. Get some soil/leaf mulch
2. Place in a large bowl, and flood with water.
3. A load of tiny creatures will float to the surface.
4. Observe closely, you will see some jump about - these are springtails (Note there are also springtails which don't jump: globular springtails)
5. Suck up the springtails from the surface using a syringe if you have one, or just scoop up with a spoon.
6. Pour the water + springtails into a damp corner of your viv, and leave a bit of food, they will soon thrive.

You can also start a colony of springtails, but that's a different ball game. Many keepers just buy/source once and effectively keep a "colony" scattered across their various tubs and vivariums. The reason you don't want to simply throw the soil or leaf litter straight in is because you will quite possibly introduce woodlice and/or other harmful critters (note, mites will always show up, and they are nothing to worry about, though probably a good indicator of bad ventilation).

Thank you for the tips