Termites as feeders?

[TheTyro]

I found a bunch of termites in a rotting log today ( My first time seeing termites!) and I was wondering if they would make a good feeder for true spiders.

If not, why? I imagine the soldier's might not be a good feeder with these giant pincers, but the workers look pretty fleshy...

anyone have any experience with using them as feeders?

 

[zonbonzovi]

Someone here (?) a while back did a tutorial on keeping/breeding termites indoors for feeders. I've been considering using them for some of the WC predators I have, although I have not a clue about what sort of parasites they may carry.

 

[Moltar]

Don't some species of termites have chemical defenses? Squirting acid or tasting nasty, etc...

 

[billopelma]

As far as I know it is a commonly accepted practice to use them for feeders.
I've been using them for years, mostly for slings but you'd be surprised to see what lengths a 6" adult will go to gather up a bunch. I farm them by putting wood pieces partially dug into the dirt outside and unearthing a month or two later. A well populated log or 2x4 held over a sheet of newspaper and rapped with a hammer will sometimes look like a huge salt shaker, they just pour out by the thousands...

Bill

 

[TheTyro]

I did do reading about termites, I think it's the tropical species that tend to carry the nozzles for chemicals.

I sort of went ahead and gave some of my spiders termites and they seemed to enjoy them quite a bit. I like the option of some variety in their diets and they seem pretty nutritious. I have a bunch of the bugs in a metal container with wood from their nest and paper/cardboard. I'll just use them until they die off, though maybe they will reproduce in there too. I kind of like them, they seem relatively helpless and kinda cute in a way.

If anyone knows of any parasites they carry, let me know..I'd rather not pass em on to my little buddies.

( I do love the search feature on this forum, I found the tutorial you mentioned zonbonzovi! Pretty cool. )

 

[billopelma]

I thought I remembered seeing something on here about culturing too, sometimes I forget there's an article section with lots of good info.
Here you go...

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=14641


Bill