Best alternative to crickets

[Hisserdude]

@Introvertebrate, are you referring to locusts or roaches? Because roaches from the southwest grow REALLY slowly.

But they are cool as heck! (Assuming you are talking about Arenivaga).

 

[Jacob Ma]

OK just making sure. I wish I could raise locusts that were as profitable as some roaches. Locusts however, poop a lot more than roaches and crickets and are big eaters at that as well.

I was thinking of getting a few Arenivaga sp. from RoachCrossing or BugsInCyberspace sometime, but I always have a major population crash with any type of sand roach. They are really nice to handle, and curl up like a baby when they play dead.

 

[Hisserdude]

I was thinking of getting a few Arenivaga sp. from RoachCrossing or BugsInCyberspace sometime, but I always have a major population crash with any type of sand roach. They are really nice to handle, and curl up like a baby when they play dead.

Really? Hmm... weird. Perhaps you were keeping them too moist? It seems there are only two big things to keep in mind when keeping sand roaches/Corydiids, moisture levels and dead leaves. Certain species like the substrate in their enclosures bone dry, others like the top layer to stay dry while the bottom layers are kept moist. And dead hardwood leaves are a must for any sand roach.

Would you mind telling us what species were you keeping?

 

[TheInv4sion]

I need an alternative to crickets for my sub adult emperor scorpion. They chirp all night and its driving me crazy. What would be the best alternative to crickets that would provide the most nutrients? I have googled it and have found a few different answers, but I wanted to know what you guys think. Thanks.

If you want roaches that are roughly the size of crickets go with B. lateralis but if you want less hyper roaches def try dubias they are sooo nice and easy to raise

 

[Pokie Master]

You'll hear a lot about Blaptica dubia, but those reproduce too slowly for my tastes.

Try feeding them fruits and cranking the temps up to 100F. They will explode!

 

[Tenevanica]

Try feeding them fruits and cranking the temps up to 100F. They will explode!

Most people can't get the temp to 100F. I have trouble getting it above 75F.

 

[BobBarley]

I had read that Blaberus discoidalis are faster and don't "freeze" like dubia do. Though, they do burrow. I might start a colony of these guys if it proves practical.

 

[Pokie Master]

Most people can't get the temp to 100F. I have trouble getting it above 75F.

Do you use heat pads or heat tape? Less vent holes? (Which also would help raise humidity)

 

[Tenevanica]

Do you use heat pads or heat tape? Less vent holes? (Which also would help raise humidity)

I've tried it all. I can't seem to get them above 80 degrees without increasing my house temperature to abut 75 degrees, which it won't do. Something is wrong with my furnace, and during the winter my house is never warmer than 68 degrees.

 

[BugladyZ]

I have never had an issue getting my tarantulas or scorpion to eat lobster roaches, they are easy keepers and fast breeders, when mine get out of control, I seperate some into a smaller enclosure and sell them as a starter colony to someone local with insectavores. That way I actually make a little money and dont have to buy food for mine. Dubias are an ok choice but are very poor breeders so if you need more than a couple a week I would not use these. LOL roackes are addicting! I started out with the lobsters and now have 5 different species! Its pretty fun to handle the giant species and kids are super into it! I have taken a few to schools and shown them to elementary school kids! Sooo much fun!

 

[BugladyZ]

Also for temperature issues, I got a cabinet from goodwill for $5 that has glass doors for display, painted it a color I like and then use under tank heating (available at any local pet store) and I have not had an issue with the temp no matter how cold the rest of the house is, easy to do, cheap and problem solved! Hope this helps!

 

[Smokehound714]

A fantastic alternative would be eleodes beetles.

They're tenebrionids, like mealworms, their larvae can grow quite large, about the same size as zophobas (superworms), but they're softer bodied, and lack the powerful mandibles that superworms have.

Eleodes are very long lived, as opposed to tenebrio or zophobas, and can live as long as 30 years with optimal care. Just a single female and male will give you tons of larvae.