B latteralis Questions

[BurrowDweller]

I have a culture of B. latteralis that I just started about a week ago and have a few questions about it. The little buggers seem to be able to clib up the sides of the Sterlite container I bought. Not all of them, but a few seem to be able to creep up the sides. After finding 2 males and a large nymph taking a senic tour of my bug room I put a light band of Vaseline around the top. I keep the lid on the container so I know they didn't jump or flutter out. They can't climb the sides of the T tanks so I must have gotten a rough tote box to set them up in. How wide a band of vaseline do I need to stop these things? I really would hate for them to establish in my house!
Also, what is a good way to ensure that the eggs hatch? I know the humidity must be right for them to, but what is the best way to make sure it stays where it needs to be?
They eat just about anything I throw to them, and eat far more than I ever thought they would. Its kinda cool keeping them, they are just as intersting as the Ts that I feed them to!
Thanks for the help - Anthony

 

[Skypainter]

One inch of garden soil kept moist but not wet will give them the right humidity. I stack egg cartons in a large plastic bin for my colony and use a pump sprayer to mist every so often. I think a 1" band of vaseline should do the trick.

 

[BurrowDweller]

Thanks for the tips. I am going to move them into an old cooler that I am modifying some time next week. The sides on it are very slick and I don't think they will be able to climb at all.

 

[dtknow]

Any photos of the container? I've been considering these but would NOT want any climbing out. That would be bad, unless perhaps they looked like crickets.

 

[Digby Rigby]

Climbing lateralis

There are a few things that can allow non climbing species to climb. One is a textured surface. You want smooth like glass another thing is dust and dirt accumulation on the sides of the container and yet another is using hard water to spray down the enclosures over time mineral deposits build up and allow them to crawl up. It could also be a combination of any or all of these things. Vaseline is gross and doesnt hold up too well in heat or humid conditions. You would be better of buying a product that goes by the name Insectaslip. It dries without a powdery feel and is unaffected by high heat or humidity. As a last thought they can crawl on smooth surfaces if the cage is laying on its side;P Over 10,000 lateralis I have sold and none have been reported to climb as long as these issues are addressed.:clap:

Digby Rigby

DigbyRigby@exoticfeeders.com

My feeders are cooler than your pets!

 

[BurrowDweller]

There is a very slight texture to the tote from being cast. I will be moving them into an old cooler next week, it is very smooth and should stop the climbing problem. I did find another male out tonight, the females don't seem to have the dexterity that the males do (I am very thankful for that!). I did watch a male plow through a 3" wide band of light vaseline like there was nothing there. I put a thicker layer on and hopefully it will keep them contained until I can move them to a better enclosure.Thanks for the tips and hopefully I will get this problem fixed before they find a way to invade my house.