Feeding and busboy duties

[Jwest]

So I fed the Rosea for the first time since we got her home. I may have made a mistake by putting all of the crickets in her habitat. she has eaten at least 6 of the 8 crickets I was not sure what to do with the extras so I figured I would let them sit in there for a couple of days.

Not gonna do that again any how this is my question. As she was doing the snatch and grab she was doing the happy dance and webbing so now there is a lovely pile of death in the corner she is in. She has not moved all day and I am wondering I have read a few things on the boards saying use tongs or other items to remove the refuse because of mites. What are the mites and whats the cause of them. Is it unhealthy for me to grab it with my hand or is it unhealthy for the spider?

 

[FrostyCakee]

So I fed the Rosea for the first time since we got her home. I may have made a mistake by putting all of the crickets in her habitat. she has eaten at least 6 of the 8 crickets I was not sure what to do with the extras so I figured I would let them sit in there for a couple of days.

Not gonna do that again any how this is my question. As she was doing the snatch and grab she was doing the happy dance and webbing so now there is a lovely pile of death in the corner she is in. She has not moved all day and I am wondering I have read a few things on the boards saying use tongs or other items to remove the refuse because of mites. What are the mites and whats the cause of them. Is it unhealthy for me to grab it with my hand or is it unhealthy for the spider?

If I am correct mites are kinda like the lice of the arachnid world. Im not 100% sure how they get there im pretty sure rotting food in the enclosure is 1 way. But as to being unhealthy to you eh would say not so much, I had a snake get mites once and I myself never had an issue with them. as for harmful to your T, I would say yes.

 

[Jwest]

Okay that's what I figured I just wanted to be sure cause its a pretty big pile. I figured rather than using tongs it may be easier just to reach in and pull it out by hand she put a ton of web down as she was eating it was probably one of the most fascinating things I have ever seen. Thanks for the reply.

 

[skar]

So I fed the Rosea for the first time since we got her home. I may have made a mistake by putting all of the crickets in her habitat. she has eaten at least 6 of the 8 crickets I was not sure what to do with the extras so I figured I would let them sit in there for a couple of days.

Not gonna do that again any how this is my question. As she was doing the snatch and grab she was doing the happy dance and webbing so now there is a lovely pile of death in the corner she is in. She has not moved all day and I am wondering I have read a few things on the boards saying use tongs or other items to remove the refuse because of mites. What are the mites and whats the cause of them. Is it unhealthy for me to grab it with my hand or is it unhealthy for the spider?

I would suggest only two prey items at a time, and tongs/tweezers are usually used so you don't get bit.

 

[Spidershane1]

I've been grabbing the leftover peices by hand for years and never had any problems. If there are problematic mites on the bolus', then they are probably all over the cage anyway, including on the water dish, hide, substrate, and even the tarantula. Keep in mind though that there probably a couple species of mites on your T right now, but most mites are harmless in small numbers.
The main problem with leftover cricket parts & mites though, is that the dead crickets give the mites something to feed off, and therefore more likely to thrive & become better established. Just pull out any left over food when your T is done eating and you should be A-ok.

Tweezers are really only for bitey tarantulas & hard to reach spots. Or if you just think a rotting half a cricket is gross to touch.

 

[Querx]

Considering it's a Rosea I would say it's probably ok to use hands, just remember that any tarantula can bite no matter how docile so stay alert.

 

[Jwest]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I went in and picked up the mess she made the fact that it was all webbed up made it an easy chore. I figure I will give her a few days and just feed her a couple of crickets. per sitting from this point forward.

 

[Spidershane1]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I went in and picked up the mess she made the fact that it was all webbed up made it an easy chore. I figure I will give her a few days and just feed her a couple of crickets. per sitting from this point forward.

2-3 large crickets once a week is plenty for an adult rosie. Just take out whatever she doesn't eat after 24 hours, including bolus'(the balls of leftover cricket parts).