GBR bin- do you ever clean it ?

[little leaf]

I was just wondering if there is ever any need to change out the bin? mine does not seem dirty, but more like worn out for lack of better words- lol - they have eaten all the original oak bark, and the coconut fiber is " dust" - the bin is about 1.5 yrs old - they still breed well , and do their thing- but is it best to just add to what I have- or clean it and start again ? I also raise my Isopods in the same bin - so cleaning this will be a real treat if that is what I should do- and if so- how do you go about it ( catching that many fast, small bugs )

 

[pigglett79]

Haha let me know what you figure out. I haven't cleaned my isopod colony but just add more leaves, bark and soil. I haven't even attempted an actual transfer or cleaning.

 

[Carlton]

I was just wondering if there is ever any need to change out the bin? mine does not seem dirty, but more like worn out for lack of better words- lol - they have eaten all the original oak bark, and the coconut fiber is " dust" - the bin is about 1.5 yrs old - they still breed well , and do their thing- but is it best to just add to what I have- or clean it and start again ? I also raise my Isopods in the same bin - so cleaning this will be a real treat if that is what I should do- and if so- how do you go about it ( catching that many fast, small bugs )

If you notice more dying or dead ones there might be a disease spreading in the colony, so I'd clean it. Strain the substrate through a kitchen strainer or a sieve...even make one from fiberglass window screen to reduce the amount of old frass and substrate. Then dump what's left (including the critters) into a clean bin.

 

[little leaf]

If you notice more dying or dead ones there might be a disease spreading in the colony, so I'd clean it. Strain the substrate through a kitchen strainer or a sieve...even make one from fiberglass window screen to reduce the amount of old frass and substrate. Then dump what's left (including the critters) into a clean bin.

no, not any dead or anything like that- its just like everything wore out- lol and is more like a big bin of dust and "mud" - but no odor , or sick ones - I was not sure if I can just add more , or strip the bin ? there are SOOOOOO many, I dont want them all over the house do you think I can just add more coco fiber/bark - would that be ok ?
Thanks Carlton for you help