Bogus

[Ratmosphere]

Got some coco fiber last month from my local. It was the last bag and I noticed some small holes on it. I originally thought it was from mice, but I looked behind the shelf and there were loose super worms there. I figured alright, no big deal, they probably were trying to eat through and didn’t get in since the holes were very small.

WRONG. Was doing some feedings today and found this beetle that emerged from the substrate. Looked in another enclosure and found a pupae and disposed of it immediately. Pissed me off, now I have to monitor many enclosures to make sure no more appear.

Why the HECK are there loose super worms on the floor of the pet store? Lesson learned.

 

[m0lsx]

Can you not microwave some & then do some substrate change arounds, microwaving all suspect coco fibre for a few seconds in small batches ?

 

[Ratmosphere]

Yea for sure! Just sucks.

I should be reimbursed lol.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Called the shop and explained everything. They replaced the bag of coco for me at no cost.

 

[Jeef]

As an extra bummer, no one wants to eat them once they become beetles! Hope it was just the two you found.

Come to mention it, I even tried giving a pupa to one of my most food reactive ones and they wouldn't even touch it. I can get that one to eat dead crickets if I drop one right in front of them.

 

[Ratmosphere]

I actually put the pupae in my cricket enclosure. Wasn’t there the next day, looks like they had their way with it!

 

[m0lsx]

As an extra bummer, no one wants to eat them once they become beetles! Hope it was just the two you found.

If I remember correctly, darkling beetles give off a smell/gas if attacked & it is that which puts off predators. With both super (morio) worms & mealworms, I have always used the beetles as dead food, breaking them open for my smaller T's & most have been happy to eat the beetles.

Edited to add. I also sometimes pop pre killed beetles into my isopods.

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

As an extra bummer, no one wants to eat them once they become beetles! Hope it was just the two you found.

Come to mention it, I even tried giving a pupa to one of my most food reactive ones and they wouldn't even touch it. I can get that one to eat dead crickets if I drop one right in front of them.

I did one time get an OBT to eat one.

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

The Pupae that is! Lol

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

I actually put the pupae in my cricket enclosure. Wasn’t there the next day, looks like they had their way with it!

Kinda like that idea....lol!