Sow Bugs

[Lurdalar]

So I've gotten bored today, and decided to go through a rotting woodpile in the backyard. After about 5 minutes I've collected around 75 sow bugs ranging from babies to gigantic adults.

I'm basically grabbing the rotting bark off the surface and shaking the bigger ones into the container, but the smaller ones are much more difficult. Using a tweezers and old credit card seem to be failing more often than not, and I end up rolling the bark up like a tube and smacking the bottom into my fist. This tends to work better, but I've still squished quite a few.

My question is, does anyone know a good way to hand collect them without squishing the tinier ones?

 

[Thezillaman21]

I always just lightly bumb thier heads and they run than I just lightly sub my hand against the surface they are on and they fall into the jar. good luck

 

[sandrachameleon]

Be aware that sow bugs are heavy metal bio-acumulators, and therefore feeding off wild caught ones may be a bad idea, especially in quantity. You can use wild ones to start a breeding colony though.

You can put a nylon stocking over the end of a vacuum, secure with elastics and one hand. Aim covered hose at sow bugs, turn on, suck them up onto the nylon, quickly move hose end over a bucket, turn off suction and with a shake the sow bugs will fall into bucket. Repeat.

 

[Lurdalar]

Thank you both.

Cool ideas, I'll be using them next time I harvest. My plan is to run them as a breeding colony, as I've got one tank with some springtails and a mini-sow bug colony already(I will not be mixing these species, just looking for variety in feeders). Right now I have obtained around 100-150 of them today to start a second colony.

I had to stop today after running into a few angry ant colonies, which had been prepping flying ants for this time of year.

The big ones got bopped into a small container, the small ones were the frustrating ones, since they're so good at hiding and gripping.

Edit: Right now I don't have any chameleons, so I'm taking a long view and gathering plants/feeders for the final 55g project for some pygmies. I'm in no rush, so it allows me to worry less about WC feeder concerns for now while they are effectively quarantined.

 

[Symbiot]

Hmm, I definitely want to look into finding some sow bugs. I have heard they're loaded with calcium and great for chameleons. I would love to start a small breeding colony. I am trying to get as much variety in feeders for my young panther cham so he can grow up to be a big healthy guy. I've heard sow bugs were around Florida but I've yet to see any since I've moved here.

So far I've got crickets, locusts, phoenix worms, and some dubia roaches on the way. Sow bugs would be a great additional feeder for him.

 

[Lurdalar]

Symbiot, look for rotting wood with loose bark. I've got a stack or two in the backyard, and simply peeled off the thick outer layer to find about 50 sow bugs per log. After a rain and before it gets very hot seems to be the best so far. Otherwise, lay some rotting wood on the ground, cover with a plank of wood and leave it through a rain.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Edit: Right now I don't have any chameleons, so I'm taking a long view and gathering plants/feeders for the final 55g project for some pygmies. I'm in no rush, so it allows me to worry less about WC feeder concerns for now while they are effectively quarantined.

Smart.


Symbiot, sow bugs like damp cool places and decaying vegetation/wood. Look under such things in a shaded area. you can also buy them online.

 

[Thezillaman21]

Ok just want to remind everyone once a week maximum is how often to feed sow or pill bugs since they have something in them that takes longer to digest! Good luck with the pymies!