sow bugs

[bhoeschcod]

Hi i have been wondering do any of you keep sow bugs if so can you answer these?
#1how do you care for sow bugs?
#2do they bite?
#3what do they eat?

 

[calum]

. google .

 

[arachyd]

I just keep mine in acrylic cubes with a mix of rotted oak leaves, sphagnum moss and soil. I keep it a little moist but not enough to cause condensation. They don't bite. They like to eat old, dead vegetation. I feed mine various bits of oatmeal, vegetables, dried lettuce, the occasional sprinkle of Fluker's Cricket Feed (finally found a use for that smelly stuff), or a bit of fruit rind. Their favorite so far seems to be a small chunk of carrot. That brings them out in a swarm. Their main food source seems to be their bedding so I don't "feed" them often. Old Hag seems to be the sowbug specialist on here. She'll probably have much better input.

 

[bhoeschcod]

thanks for the help!

 

[bhoeschcod]

can i have a sow bug with a slug?

 

[calum]

yeah, I don't think it would kill a slug.

 

[Brian S]

Old Hag seems to be the sowbug specialist on here. She'll probably have much better input.

You can say that again!!

She has forgotton what everyone else put together knows about these things. I humbly bow to the Queen

 

[OldHag]

You can say that again!!

She has forgotton what everyone else put together knows about these things. I humbly bow to the Queen

Ok, its a rumor! Seriously! I dont even know what a sowbug IS!

You could keep them in a sweater box in moist peat with dried oak leaves and rotton wood. Throw in a cucumber now and then. Or a dead mouse.. worm.. or someother dead critter....Ive heard they like that...

 

[bhoeschcod]

lol thanks!

 

[drbio]

1. Moist sphagnum moss and coco fiber substrate with paper egg crates and a small covered compost pile has been working well for me. I keep the temps between 65F-75F with 85%-95% humidity. Covering part of the egg crates with substrate will provide a humidity gradient.

2. They wont bite you, but they will eat newly born young, gravid females who are ready to give birth, as well as molting adults if you let them get too overcrowded.

3. I have had good breeding results on a diet of banana squash, rabbit pellets, soy beans and cuttle bone. A compost pile is not necessary but is beneficial to the young and has been demonstrated to increase the number of offspring. A variety of other fruits and vegetables can also be provided.


Your setup also depends to some degree on what species you are keeping. Some species prefer moist substrate while others require drier conditions. Post some pics when you get your colony set up.

Good luck