Burrowing dubia nymphs?

[Mopanda]

Are the nymphs still dangerous to a sling that is not in molt or premolt? I had 2 burrow on me but my sling finally started using the hide I provided and put up quit a bit of web. The sling seems pretty happy so far and I don't want to stress it too much digging up roaches. The roaches were smaller than the body length of my sling.

 

[Phia]

Personally I would remove the dubia. They shouldn't be able to hurt it, but if they die and rot it could cause issues. The spider will rebuild.

My suggestion is to always crush the head of a dubia before putting it in. Can't burrow or bite without a head. It's hard to do at first but it's the safest way to go IMO. If you do it right the dubia still moves around aimlessly and gives the little sling something to hunt

 

[Mopanda]

Personally I would remove the dubia. They shouldn't be able to hurt it, but if they die and rot it could cause issues. The spider will rebuild.

My suggestion is to always crush the head of a dubia before putting it in. Can't burrow or bite without a head. It's hard to do at first but it's the safest way to go IMO. If you do it right the dubia still moves around aimlessly and gives the little sling something to hunt

It took the first live nymph like a lightning bolt though lol. I know exactly where the burrowing critters are so it shouldn't be too much trouble.

 

[Mopanda]

Exotics expo is next weekend about an hour away. I will be there looking to get started on a feeder colony of some sort. Any ideas on what feeders to look for?

 

[EulersK]

I've never heard of or seen a dubia harming a tarantula. However, I know for a fact that they are capable of cannibalism. That alone makes me err on the side of caution. As has been said, always crush the heads.

I will be there looking to get started on a feeder colony of some sort. Any ideas on what feeders to look for?

How many critters do you have to feed? Even if you've got a dozen tarantulas, the roaches will certainly breed faster than you can feed them off. Further, a dubia colony quickly turns into more work than the spiders themselves. If you only have a few animals to feed, I'd stick with buying mealworms and/or buying dubia nymphs and simply keeping them alive until it's feeding time.

But convenience certainly plays into it, I understand. That's more of a personal choice at that point. As for the types of feeders, I'll always recommend dubia. Mealworms are too much work, and crickets are too fragile and stink something awful. You could look into red-runners as well.

 

[Kitara]

You could look into red-runners as well.

I prefer these over dubia just for the simple fact that they don't burrow. I cannot stomach crushing heads so this is my go-to. The downside for me is that they're not sold in the area so I have to order them online. They grow faster than the Ts so eventually I will have too many and will have to figure out what to do with them.

 

[Mopanda]

I prefer these over dubia just for the simple fact that they don't burrow. I cannot stomach crushing heads so this is my go-to. The downside for me is that they're not sold in the area so I have to order them online. They grow faster than the Ts so eventually I will have too many and will have to figure out what to do with them.

I thought about adding one or more other animals that are not Ts to help add balance to having a colony. I'm still undecided on how I feel about it.

 

[Tenebrarius]

I thought about adding one or more other animals that are not Ts to help add balance to having a colony. I'm still undecided on how I feel about it.

spring tails are common in the hobby.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

They cannibalise which means that they are capable of harming a freshly moulted tarantula. I'd remove them just to be on the safe side.