Insect Gut Load

This blog entry is to give an idea of how I make my insect gut load for cheap. It is made from stuff I used to throw away.

I've been a vegetarian for the past seven years. About four years ago I started juicing after watching the movie, "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead".

Anybody that has used a juicer knows that the waste still has some nutritional content, even though it is mostly fiber. I used to throw it into the compost bin. Now I dry it in the sun and run it through the Cuisinart to turn it to dust.

I bag it and store it in a dry place. After you realize how much it makes and how good the juice is for you, you'll never buy pre-made gut loads again.

I even dump out all of the grain that comes with the mealworms and replace it with my "Juiceman Gut-Load"™

So if you try this, it works three ways, you get healthier, your insects get healthier, your chameleons get healthier. I'd say that's a good investment.

If anybody tries this, drop me a PM and let me know how it is working for you.

Comments

sandrachameleon
I think making use of the pulp/fiber in this way is a great idea.
I use my blender way more than my juicer. But when I do use the juicer I feed the pulp to the roaches etc directly. Drying any extra for later use isnt something I've done - but I think maybe I shall!

Though would you agree that there are some nutrients not easily gained through the typically juiced plant matter? I would add in other items to the gutload from time to time (kelp powder, spirulina, nuts, seeds). And we do need the prey to be hydrated, so some moisture is necessary (this could be achieved with pieces of squash, dandelion and other things you likely dont juice, eh?).
 
Mike Fisher
sandrachameleon;bt1871 said:
Though would you agree that there are some nutrients not easily gained through the typically juiced plant matter? I would add in other items to the gutload from time to time (kelp powder, spirulina, nuts, seeds). And we do need the prey to be hydrated, so some moisture is necessary (this could be achieved with pieces of squash, dandelion and other things you likely dont juice, eh?).
Click to expand...

Yes, totally agree. No dried gut-load is going to be a complete solution. If you juice every day like I do, you can use a bit of the fresh pulp and dry the rest for the winter months when the sun is too weak to dry it. The dried mixes are more convenient staple that can be added to as needed. This blog entry aims to offer a solution to those who have been buying the premade dried gut load at typical markup. Or the folks who spend big bucks to buy fresh organic produce for their insects, while they are eating fast food.:eek: BTW, dandelion in your juice is pretty good as long as it is not too late in the season because it gets bitter.

Too many times it is common for us humans to take better care of our pets than ourselves. By feeding ourselves with the good fresh organic produce and giving our feeders the leftovers, it accomplishes many goals at once.

Hopefully this doesn't sound like ranting from a tree huggin hippie. :)
 
shmeenakoz
This is an awesome blog, glad I found it! I was wondering if id get any use out of all the pulp I save (freeze) for soup Ill never have time to make. So this is perfect, it can all be fed to my chams bugs :) Just want to make sure though if what I juice is cham safe, please let me know if I should omit something. This is the list of ingredients from my favorite, most common juice: Beets and their greens, carrots, ginger, lemon, cucumber, spinach or kale, and apple. Any comments on this greatly appreciated
 
shmeenakoz
Ok thats what i thought i was supposed to be careful with. Thanks I will keep that pulp separate.
 

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Mike Fisher
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