Feeder locusts?

[Cydaea]

My LPS sells locusts (locusta migratoria), and I'm wondering if it's a good feeder for larger tarantulas?
They're a bit expensive, but my large B. albo and G. rosea take about 3 or 4 crickets per feeding so it would be easier to toss in just one locust.

Are they a bit too large and/or intimidating?

 

[spiderengineer]

My LPS sells locusts (locusta migratoria), and I'm wondering if it's a good feeder for larger tarantulas?
They're a bit expensive, but my large B. albo and G. rosea take about 3 or 4 crickets per feeding so it would be easier to toss in just one locust.

Are they a bit too large and/or intimidating?

as far as I know that is what European members feed their T's.

 

[LuiziBee]

I've never fed locusts. But they've never been available to me. However, I was reading some people theories on how it could cause DKS?

The other issue that seemed to regularly occur was that of feeding locusts to tarantula. To keep locusts you need to feed them almost their body weight in food per day. That creates quite a dirty environment, but reducing the food load to them encourages bad bacteria within the gut to multiply and some of these bacteria are directly linked to the likes of e-coli and salmonella. A report was made on this by Rod Dillon of the University of Liverpool, UK. Could using poorly fed locusts to tarantula result in DKS? Since ive dissisted Ive not had another instance.


There conclusions seemed to suggest that we should feed our feeders better, that they should receive a balanced and varied diet of a standard good enough to provide them with the nutrients, proteins and cholesterol that they require. Its certainly worthy of thought and I shall be considering my feeders to inverts as well as my feeders to reptiles.

So idk. That's the only thing I've ever read on locusts, since I didn't even know you could buy them as feeders in the first place. Kind of stuck in my mind. I'd say, just feed them well, like this person says. Otherwise, i'd say do some research. Idk.

 

[MarkmD]

Locusts are fine for T's and scorps, I usually feed crickets but I also feed locusts once in a while with no problems, I've done that over a period of 10 years of T keeping, my 10yr just as a reference of time I mean.

Edit, some T's are picky on what they eat, ie superworms, locusts etc, my Rosea will not eat locusts anymore for some reason, my others do.

 

[Cydaea]

I was reading some people theories on how it could cause DKS?

That's a scary thought, I don't want to be responsible for any health issues in my T's, I would never forgive myself.

I do want to feed them a more varied diet, though. I would get roaches if i could but I've never seen them anywhere (well not in pet stores anyway).
I've been trying to get big fat superworms but the LPS is always sold out when I go there.

I will look into the possible risks of feeding locusts and see if it's an option for me.

 

[MarkmD]

There's not a risk of feeding locusts to T's, as my above post demonstrates. Unless they are in pre-molt, not healthy before feeding or long dead no reason to threat over it.

 

[LuiziBee]

I think it's worth looking into. I feed most of my T's mealworms. I've heard that's not too great, either. Everyone has different methods of everything. Humidity, substrate, food, etc.
I think if your feeders are healthy, well fed, and cared for, then it's probably fine.
I really want to do roaches, but I think I'll wait for warmer weather to try and get some shipped to me. I also want to do some more research on starting a colony.
I failed with breeding crickets. I got the babies to hatch, then ants came and stole them from me. I was pretty sad. I gave up after that. Plus they stink. Now I only buy about six at a time every few weeks for my pickie eaters and smaller T's.
Now I'm trying to breed my darkling beetles (mealworm mommies and daddies). Not nearly as bad as crickets in terms of stench and noise. No babies yet, though.

 

[spiderengineer]

its should be noted that DKS is a debatable topic on here. its not fully understood and some time people are way to quick to assume their T has it when it could be other things.

 

[LuiziBee]

its should be noted that DKS is a debatable topic on here.

I agree. But also, most things are as well. As I said, the locusts are probably fine, Any feeder comes with some sort of risk, especially if not cared for properly or from poor conditions from the seller.

 

[alpine]

I think it's worth looking into. I feed most of my T's mealworms. I've heard that's not too great, either. Everyone has different methods of everything. Humidity, substrate, food, etc.
I think if your feeders are healthy, well fed, and cared for, then it's probably fine.
I really want to do roaches, but I think I'll wait for warmer weather to try and get some shipped to me. I also want to do some more research on starting a colony.
I failed with breeding crickets. I got the babies to hatch, then ants came and stole them from me. I was pretty sad. I gave up after that. Plus they stink. Now I only buy about six at a time every few weeks for my pickie eaters and smaller T's.
Now I'm trying to breed my darkling beetles (mealworm mommies and daddies). Not nearly as bad as crickets in terms of stench and noise. No babies yet, though.

I feed mealworms as well, I have never had an issue.

 

[singaporesling]

You can get roaches online with a LAG even when its cold out. Just Google it

 

[MichaelMacd]

I've used them on and off, usually just when the crickets in the shop don't look up to scratch. The only thing I find with locusts is that they are messy to keep. The seem to crap all over their tank and it sticks to the sides, top and anywhere else in the cricket keeper they seem to do their business. They're also big jumpers and get loose way more than crickets. As for catching them to feed with tongs, they just sit still and let you pick them up, unlike crickets who I seem to spend ages chasing around their container to catch.

Either or are good though, the tarantulas seem happy eating either and I can't help about DKS as I've never experienced this.