100 stinky locusts

[stalincat]

Today noticed that my box with locusts smells like bin juice. I'm not sure why, never happened before. Perhaps a chunk of some fruit I couldn't see. Anyway, I had to transfer them in to a different box. By transfer I mean pick over a 100 2nd instar locust one by one while trying not to breath through my nose as the bin aroma was nauseating! Argh!!! It took forever! And for some reason I'm really happy they will get eaten, that will show them!

don't really have any particular point, just felt like moaning. Feel better now, phew!

 

[bradley]

What do you keep them in?

I have them in a bare bottom tub with ventilation in the form of mesh on the top of the box. I clean them out once a week and chuck in leafy greens about three times a week.

 

[Kate]

Could it be because of the temp you keep them at? I found this on a care sheet and it puzzled me as I have always fed mine. The weather is cold just now so perhaps they are just not warm enough.


Locusts will keep well for up to 10 days if kept at room temperature (15 to 20 degrees C) and left in the tub or bag they arrived in.
If you are keeping locusts at room temperature DO NOT feed them at all, any food they eat will not be digested properly and will decompose inside their stomachs, the locusts will then become ill and die.

It is much better to keep locusts quite hot (35 to 38 degrees C), the best way to achieve this is using a small well ventilated glass tank with a layer of Locust Food Feeder Bran on the floor, egg cartons around the walls (the locusts need something to climb on and to hang upside down from while shedding their skin).
A small 25 watt light bulb fitted in the lid or alternatively a heat mat covering the rear wall of the container will provide the necessary heat.

If you keep locusts hot, fresh greens every day are essential for feed and to prevent dehydration, do not use a water dish, sponge or bug gel they will get all the moisture they need from the fresh greens.

Locusts breathe through minute holes in their skin, if these become blocked they will slowly suffocate and die, therefore they must have a dry atmosphere, there should be no condensation or dampness in the tank as this will kill them.

 

[Miss Lily]

Was there a dead one in there? They smell awful when they die go black! Bleurgh!

 

[stalincat]

I keep them by the heater, they usually live for as long as they last. I'm pretty sure they've been digesting food, there was A LOT of poo in the box
they are kept in a big plastic box with a ventilated lid with loads of egg cartons in. I feed them twice a week. They usually manage to molt at least once if I get loads and they don't get eaten fast.
It might have been the smell of their poo perhaps? It smelled like bin juice, I swear! There was no dead ones, only shed skins. The 2nd box with XL ones was fine, no smell no issues.

Uhm what nutrition do the animals get then if you are not supposed to feed them? I'm puzzled.