Tips for clipping cricket ovipositor? Is it effective?

[Dragonfly18]

Hi everyone! I'd like to try to avoid cricket infestations in my emperor scorpion's humid tank (I know the pinheads aren't dangerous, but I don't want to take any chances of any surviving to the 1mm size where they will start looking for protein, bc just my luck that will happen while my scorp is molting.) I have read that many of you clip the ovipositors before feeding female crickets to your scorps and tarantulas, but this sounds easier said than done, lol. Any tips for doing this without losing your sanity? Also, I've seen one or two posts saying people have clipped and still gotten pinhead infestations. Is it worth the trouble? Thanks for your input!

 

[Dragonfly18]

Hi everyone! I'd like to try to avoid cricket infestations in my emperor scorpion's humid tank (I know the pinheads aren't dangerous, but I don't want to take any chances of any surviving to the 1mm size where they will start looking for protein, bc just my luck that will happen while my scorp is molting.) I have read that many of you clip the ovipositors before feeding female crickets to your scorps and tarantulas, but this sounds easier said than done, lol. Any tips for doing this without losing your sanity? Also, I've seen one or two posts saying people have clipped and still gotten pinhead infestations. Is it worth the trouble? Thanks for your input!

 

[BenWilly]

Ive always put the cricket in a fat vial, and use skinny long scissors to reach in a snip the ovipositor off. Works good. I use hair cutting scissors. Ive never had infestations in enclosures I've did this.

 

[ColeopteraC]

To save your sanity get a roach colony, they’re a lot less dangerous and cost effective than crickets. You can get starter colonies online (Red runner roaches or Dubia roaches) of 20 or 500 individuals for pretty good prices. Just keep them in a plastic storage box piled up with egg cartons, give them fish food and veg and they’ll breed quickly.

 

[Dragonfly18]

Thank you both for the tips! BenWilly, putting the crickets in a narrow deep tube/vial was my first thought, but I also anticipated that turning into a circus, haha. Maybe sticking them in the fridge for a minute or two would slow them down...ColeopteraC, I've heard roaches are safer (and more nutritious?) than crickets, but I live in Florida where they could breed like crazy if they escape, so I'm not sure they're legal unless they're native. I never see them in local stores, but I'll have to do some research and find out. How big a bin do you use? Is a lid necessary/helpful, or can they not climb the sides? Do they stink like crickets? Thanks!