P. laevis “Dairy Cow” Substrate Recipe

[cmacky]

What does everyone use as their substrate recipe for P. laevis “Dairy Cow”? Usually I just use organic compost mixed with top soil and shredded dead leaves, but I’ve been feeling like I can be doing better for them.
I usually avoid adding coco coir and peatmoss because I know isopods don’t get much nutrition from them, but I’m open to changing things up.
Just wanna see what everyone else does, thanks!

 

[mossy]

I keep P. laevis "Milk back" and I do usually mix some coco coir into my isopods substrate. I've found it helps to keep the substrate fluffy. typically no more than 1/4 of the substrate though, the rest is organic compost and topsoil with LOTS of various shredded leaves scattered on top. and some bark pieces right against the substrate. there's also some sphagnum moss in the moist side. :]

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I keep P. laevis "Milk back" and I do usually mix some coco coir into my isopods substrate. I've found it helps to keep the substrate fluffy. typically no more than 1/4 of the substrate though, the rest is organic compost and topsoil with LOTS of various shredded leaves scattered on top. and some bark pieces right against the substrate. there's also some sphagnum moss in the moist side. :]

Do isopods eat dirt or coco fiber ? I’ve been feeding mine leaves and houseplant clippings . How important is organic compost?

 

[mossy]

Do isopods eat dirt or coco fiber ? I’ve been feeding mine leaves and houseplant clippings . How important is organic compost?

I don't believe they eat coco fiber, if they do eat it it won't give them much nutritionally. and 'dirt' is a very broad term, but yes, if the dirt has decomposing plant matter in it, they'll eat it. It's important for any compost/substrate that you use with isopods to be organic, aka pesticide and fertilizer free. otherwise you might kill your 'pods. but you don't necessarily need compost, as long as the substrate they're on has some nutritional value.

here's a helpful post from smug bug on isopod substrates.

as they are detritivores, decaying leaves and wood are what they eat the most of. most people I see use leaves such as maple or elm, but mine seem to enjoy pear and persimmon as well as some oak leaves. avoid using only super thick leaves, like magnolia. and I would steer clear of pine, fir or other conifers, as they are really slow to break down. Most species of isopods are pretty forgiving, so doing some experimentation isn't a bad idea. as long as the leaves are pesticide free, it couldn't hurt to try em out.

I also put in small chunks of green beans every once in a while, or a dried shrimp if I'm feeling fancy. otherwise for protein they get leftover bug bits from unsuccessful spider feedings. and I keep a small piece of cuttlebone in each colony for calcium.

I'm curious what kind of houseplant clippings you're giving them and if they seem to like them!

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I don't believe they eat coco fiber, if they do eat it it won't give them much nutritionally. and 'dirt' is a very broad term, but yes, if the dirt has decomposing plant matter in it, they'll eat it. It's important for any compost/substrate that you use with isopods to be organic, aka pesticide and fertilizer free. otherwise you might kill your 'pods. but you don't necessarily need compost, as long as the substrate they're on has some nutritional value.

here's a helpful post from smug bug on isopod substrates.

as they are detritivores, decaying leaves and wood are what they eat the most of. most people I see use leaves such as maple or elm, but mine seem to enjoy pear and persimmon as well as some oak leaves. avoid using only super thick leaves, like magnolia. and I would steer clear of pine, fir or other conifers, as they are really slow to break down. Most species of isopods are pretty forgiving, so doing some experimentation isn't a bad idea. as long as the leaves are pesticide free, it couldn't hurt to try em out.

I also put in small chunks of green beans every once in a while, or a dried shrimp if I'm feeling fancy. otherwise for protein they get leftover bug bits from unsuccessful spider feedings. and I keep a small piece of cuttlebone in each colony for calcium.

I'm curious what kind of houseplant clippings you're giving them and if they seem to like them!

just tried spider plant.
Pothos I might try soon, but mostly whatever this palm like thing is they love .

 

[mossy]

just tried spider plant.
Pothos I might try soon, but mostly whatever this palm like thing is they love .
View attachment 457150

that's a dracaena plant. I wouldn't have expected them to like it. the more you know! let me know how they like the pothos.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

that's a dracaena plant. I wouldn't have expected them to like it. the more you know! let me know how they like the pothos.

I will what’s crazy is I caught 2 pill bugs in my new substrate i was drying out the third escaped how do you think I could bait it out? I hate to have to filter the substrate. I wonder if the like maple tree leaves I can verify they weren’t sprayed with pesticides.