Most efficient feeder insects?

[EmmaEQ]

Hey, I'm considering getting a beardie in a few weeks and I was wondering what type of feeder would be the cheapest and most convenient to prepare in the mean time, especially for someone who's super squeamish around insects!

I was planning on starting a dubia colony ( as long as I don't have to touch them) but I've heard they take a few months to breed enough nymphs for juvenile beardies, and I've heard bad things about crickets.... and they creep me out... Should I start a dubia colony anyway? Are certain worms such as supers or reptiworms good staple feeders? I've researched as much as possible and I'd love to see your opinions on what you think of your feeder insects.

Does anybody have any suggestions, they'd be much appreciated! :mrgreen:

 

[ChristinaMike]

I just got ours a couple of weeks ago and started with crickets... not impressed ?? She/he only eats a few the seems "meh" with them. After spending these weeks constantly reading here, I decided on the dubia's and beginning a colony as well as BSFL. I figure that should give a well rounded diet.

The crickets have been more hassle than they are worth lol

 

[EmmaEQ]

I just got ours a couple of weeks ago and started with crickets... not impressed ?? She/he only eats a few the seems "meh" with them. After spending these weeks constantly reading here, I decided on the dubia's and beginning a colony as well as BSFL. I figure that should give a well rounded diet.

The crickets have been more hassle than they are worth lol

Yeah, there's no way that I'd get crickets, they smell, make noise, jump about. Did I mention that they're creepy?

 

[ChristinaMike]

I just got ours a couple of weeks ago and started with crickets... not impressed ?? She/he only eats a few the seems "meh" with them. After spending these weeks constantly reading here, I decided on the dubia's and beginning a colony as well as BSFL. I figure that should give a well rounded diet.

The crickets have been more hassle than they are worth lol

Yeah, there's no way that I'd get crickets, they smell, make noise, jump about. Did I mention that they're creepy?

Didn't have issue with that just way more effort than I care to exert and die super easy lol put me in the lazy department ??

 

[AHBD]

Dubias are probably the most efficient once you have a colony going. Having said that, I've never used them , crickets have been what I've used for over 25 years. They really only smell if some of them begin to die [ usually due to being shipped in hot weather ] and aren't bad at all noise-wise if you can keep them in a cellar. They're easy to feed and can be gut loaded with all the greens that beardies eat.

 

[EmmaEQ]

Dubias are probably the most efficient once you have a colony going. Having said that, I've never used them , crickets have been what I've used for over 25 years. They really only smell if some of them begin to die [ usually due to being shipped in hot weather ] and aren't bad at all noise-wise if you can keep them in a cellar. They're easy to feed and can be gut loaded with all the greens that beardies eat.

Thanks, I think I'll have to use crickets anyways if I get dubias to let the colony breed.

 

[kingofnobbys]

I've been using crickets of various sizes for my main staple feeder insect for skinks and dragons for about 9 years.
They are fine, easy to care for (I find them easy) , clean and usually accepted .

Buy your bugs (crickets or roaches or locusts) in bulk and look after them, and give them good quality food , feed the insect rubbish it becomes a rubbish feeder insect.

I also use silkworms when I can get them, they are a great feeder and you don't need many to give your lizard a good feed of insect protein.

My skinks get mealworms as treats and cultured garden snails (restraunt grade) as specials (I'd give as a staple if I had enough).
My beardies get mealworms and superworms as treats ONLY when over 1 yr old.

 

[EmmaEQ]

I've been using crickets of various sizes for my main staple feeder insect for skinks and dragons for about 9 years.

They are fine, easy to care for (I find them easy) , clean and usually accepted .

Buy your bugs (crickets or roaches or locusts) in bulk and look after them, and give them good quality food , feed the insect rub it becomes a rubbish feeder insect.

I also use silkworms when I can get them, they are a great feeder and you don't need many to give your lizard a good feed of insect protein.

Which websites do you find are the best for buying dubias, crickets, worms etc.?

 

[kingofnobbys]

I've been using crickets of various sizes for my main staple feeder insect for skinks and dragons for about 9 years.

They are fine, easy to care for (I find them easy) , clean and usually accepted .

Buy your bugs (crickets or roaches or locusts) in bulk and look after them, and give them good quality food , feed the insect rub it becomes a rubbish feeder insect.

I also use silkworms when I can get them, they are a great feeder and you don't need many to give your lizard a good feed of insect protein.

Which websites do you find are the best for buying dubias, crickets, worms etc.?

If you are in Australia , I buy from Frog Arcade and AussieFauna.

 

[ChristinaMike]

I've been using crickets of various sizes for my main staple feeder insect for skinks and dragons for about 9 years.

They are fine, easy to care for (I find them easy) , clean and usually accepted .

Buy your bugs (crickets or roaches or locusts) in bulk and look after them, and give them good quality food , feed the insect rub it becomes a rubbish feeder insect.

I also use silkworms when I can get them, they are a great feeder and you don't need many to give your lizard a good feed of insect protein.

Which websites do you find are the best for buying dubias, crickets, worms etc.?

I ordered BSFL from symton which arrives today (so good turnaround), I ordered roaches from Dubi Deli which will be here Monday and I ordered the crickets I have now from LLL Reptile.

 

[EmmaEQ]

I've been using crickets of various sizes for my main staple feeder insect for skinks and dragons for about 9 years.

They are fine, easy to care for (I find them easy) , clean and usually accepted .

Buy your bugs (crickets or roaches or locusts) in bulk and look after them, and give them good quality food , feed the insect rub it becomes a rubbish feeder insect.

I also use silkworms when I can get them, they are a great feeder and you don't need many to give your lizard a good feed of insect protein.

Which websites do you find are the best for buying dubias, crickets, worms etc.?

I ordered BSFL from symton which arrives today (so good turnaround), I ordered roaches from Dubi Deli which will be here Monday and I ordered the crickets I have now from LLL Reptile.

Ok thanks