Question about springtails and woodlice

[Pareeeee]

I've heard people talking about adding springtails, woodlice and earthworms to vivariums to help with soil culture etc.

Are they safe for crested geckos if they happen to catch and eat them? Do they really help in the vivarium, and where do you acquire them? Do you just capture them from the wild, quarantine for a while then add to the viv? How can you be sure you are not adding harmful parasites and/or bacteria to the viv? In other words, how do you "sterilize" the creatures?

I already know how to breed woodlice, I used to do it when i was a kid, lol, I liked bugs.

I've just overhauled Rodney's tank (see my other thread, same subforum) and wanted to do the best possible job with it.

Any and all advice appreciated. Thanks.

[snake man12]

I know of a few sites that sell spring tails and what not. Want em?

[Pareeeee]

I know of a few sites that sell spring tails and what not. Want em?

Sure. Doesn't hurt to take a look

[snake man12]

Feeder Insects for Sale (http://www.backwaterreptiles.com/feeder-insects-for-sale.html)
Sorry I couldn't find more you can also look in bait shops and just put some branches in for wood mites.

[Pareeeee]

From their faq:

Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: We ship to the U.S. and in some instances Canada. Canadian orders must exceed $2,000.

*nervous laugh* :O

[snake man12]

Derp.......

[poison123]

spring tail and wood mites are very safe i use them for most of my cages along with a few other bugs like rollie polies that i just started using

[snake man12]

Crested could safely eat isopods I believe

[BarelyBreathing]

I use them with my crested geckos. They don't purposefully eat them, but I'm sure they have if wood mites and spring tails got onto their food. It won't harm them.

[Pareeeee]

Good to know, thanks. Where do you all get them?

[rivkah]

I had gotten my started cultures of springtails and pill bugs from Joshs Frogs... and had been very happy with the entire transaction. Check there.

I currently have 5 terrariums set up and in each I had added springtails and pill bugs. These not only supplement feeding, but do a great job at soil maintenance. Because of thier activities, eating dead/decaying stuff, my plants thrive.

[BarelyBreathing]

Good to know, thanks. Where do you all get them?

I got them outside. Look for wood in very humid places. They will be covered in them.

[jarich]

They are very high in calcium actually, so if your lizards eat them, thats great. Woodlice have a Ca:P ratio of 12:1. Better than any other land based invert that I know of.

[snake man12]

They are very high in calcium actually, so if your lizards eat them, thats great. Woodlice have a Ca:P ratio of 12:1. Better than any other land based invert that I know of.

Even better.:D

[Pareeeee]

I got them outside. Look for wood in very humid places. They will be covered in them.

Great, have you ever had a problem with them bringing any type of parasites into the enclosure?

[Pareeeee]

Great, have you ever had a problem with them bringing any type of parasites into the enclosure?

This ^ ...how do you 'sterilize' them?

*bump*

[Gungirl]

Just put them in there.. They are not going to harm anything. You don't need to 'sterilize' them.

[Pareeeee]

Ok thanks. I was holding back catching any because I was afraid of making my Crestie sick. How do you 'catch' springtails? They are so freaking tiny, lol.

[BarelyBreathing]

Great, have you ever had a problem with them bringing any type of parasites into the enclosure?

Nope, never.

[rivkah]

Decades ago I bred eastern spotted newts. To maintain the red efts (juvienal form) I used to dig up the soil around my house and from a nearby wooded area, in search of worms, pill bugs and whatever else I could find to feed. This stage last between 2-6 years. Just make sure that no insecticides of fertilizers were used in the areas from which you collect those food stuffs.

Again, if you should have any concerns with a specific area, go to another.

[BryanB]

If you want to get captive bred bugs just look up someone that supplies the dart frog hobby they are a staple food for the little guys