Crickets in Tank, safe?

nepoez · 03-21-13, 09:25 AM

Hi!

I've read that having crickets and insects in your tank can lead to monitors getting bitten and eaten. But I also ready that Infernalis(the guy who owns this forum I think) actually has living insects including crickets living in his tank and his monitors seem to be just fine.

What is the fact? Thanks!

DiscoPat · 03-21-13, 10:09 AM

I have had crickets in my enclosure for quite a while and steve has never shown any marks or injuries from them. At one point there were crickets breeding inside of the enclosure but Steve wiped out the population once the babies were big enough to eat.

They act as a clean up crew.

nepoez · 03-21-13, 10:57 AM

What about super worms, and their beetles, I had some worms in there before my lizards arrived and now there are some beetles walking around and I saw 2 of them laying eggs.

reptimama · 03-21-13, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nepoez

What about super worms, and their beetles, I had some worms in there before my lizards arrived and now there are some beetles walking around and I saw 2 of them laying eggs.

I've had some of my super worms escape from my Bearded Dragon and the beetles haven't caused an issue for her though I can't speak fro Varanids as I have none of them.

Pirarucu · 03-21-13, 04:18 PM

Nothing will happen. The lizard would have to be sick and dying already, and the cricket would have to be starving.

Freebody · 03-21-13, 04:37 PM

you should get a large tub and cut a hole in the top and glue a screen in, and breed dubia roaches, much better for your lizard than crickets

and crickets are really hard to breed, they are so easily killed off by very little changes to there habitat, a little bit of humidity for a few hours can kill off a whole colony easy.

Toothless · 03-21-13, 05:05 PM

I have crickets, superworms, and mealworms breeding in my enclosure with no ill-effect to my monitor. I hate the little buggers though, and can't wait to get rid of them since Toothless won`t eat them anymore. Unfortunately, they just won`t die off! lol

**lady_bug87** · 03-21-13, 05:32 PM

If you're worried you can always add some kind of vegetation so they have something to eat I had them breeding in my lacerta tank with no issue

nepoez · 03-21-13, 05:40 PM

thx guys! I feel safer now.