Question about crickets eating

[RFlagg]

Hello all. I just signed up on this forum because I got my first T a couple weeks ago. My first question doesn't pertain to the tarantula itself, but rather to the crickets I bought. I try to feed my crickets a wet piece of fruit/veggies once a day to keep them fed well. However, I haven't actually seen them eat any of it yet. I'm new to the hobby and as such I don't know that much about how these insects behave of course. But I thought they would pretty much swarm it and I could see them munching away. The only thing I've seen so far is a cricket sitting on a piece, but no movement, or a cricket crawling up to it and backing off or crawling over it.

I noticed when I put a piece of peach in the other day, that the next day it was sort of gooey and I couldn't pick it out with pliers in one piece. Was this a sign that they did eat from it? Anyway, sorry for the long question. Just want to make sure I'm feeding them properly.

 

[Tenodera]

They feed mostly at night, but if you aren't seeing the food gone then they aren't eating. It might be that they are "craving" protein or grains instead of fruits and veggies. It could also be that the food isn't easily accessible; for example, they eat halved grapes readily but are sometimes deterred by whole ones that require more work to get to. Old or stressed crickets sometimes eat less but they don't worry about those things as much as some other insects. I suggest trying fish food, cat/dog food, or even cereal as primary diet items, and giving fruit or vegetables as a supplement. Of course, if they're feeders thy may not be around long enough for you to bother with a dinner calendar.

 

[Galapoheros]

The old-school exotic pet store around here still gets them in by the 1000's and keep them in deep plastic tubs. They feed them fish flakes and keep them hydrated with potatoes. I do the same but keep them hydrated by apple and orange slices, sometimes greens. If I leave for a few days I throw in half a potato, it lasts a long time.