Vita- crickets from backwater
- Thread starter Juliaf3
- Start date
SaintJimmy
Avid Member
I think there is a limit to how "awesome" nutrition is from cricket breeders. IMHO someone who runs a big operation (big enough to sell lots of crickets) is not going to worry really too much about the nutrition of the crickets.
It sounds too good to be true, really. I mean, they COULD feed their bugs a good diet, but it has to be cheap for it to be profitable.
Also, the nutrients will be digested and used by the cricket's cells probably by the time they arrive. I always feed my crickets and dubias a good diet of things that I make myself. I change it up every once in a while. Sometimes fresh fruit, sometimes veggies, sometimes salad, and sometimes I'll use bug burger that I got for free at reptile shows. Every time I feed them, I feed that kind of bug within 24 hours of it eating the food. This way the nutrients aren't all really converted into energy by the time the cham eats it.
You probably already understand all this. But honestly I tend to stay away from buying "special" crickets. Even pet co claims to feed their crickets and awesome gutload diet, but you can walk right in and see that all they eat is this play-dough-esque gross cubes.
disclaimer: I have never had experience with vita crickets, just giving my personal opinion on "pre gutloaded" feeders.
Also, backwater (I'm assuming you're talking about this company) reptiles are known for being sort of shady. There are youtube videos of people who receive "CB" snakes and frogs and such, and they arrive injured, sick, OBVIOUSLY WC, or something else. One may be fine, but another might be sick or injured. I've had mixed reviews for backwater reptiles. They're so cheap that it's kind of iffy to buy from them.
It sounds too good to be true, really. I mean, they COULD feed their bugs a good diet, but it has to be cheap for it to be profitable.
Also, the nutrients will be digested and used by the cricket's cells probably by the time they arrive. I always feed my crickets and dubias a good diet of things that I make myself. I change it up every once in a while. Sometimes fresh fruit, sometimes veggies, sometimes salad, and sometimes I'll use bug burger that I got for free at reptile shows. Every time I feed them, I feed that kind of bug within 24 hours of it eating the food. This way the nutrients aren't all really converted into energy by the time the cham eats it.
You probably already understand all this. But honestly I tend to stay away from buying "special" crickets. Even pet co claims to feed their crickets and awesome gutload diet, but you can walk right in and see that all they eat is this play-dough-esque gross cubes.
disclaimer: I have never had experience with vita crickets, just giving my personal opinion on "pre gutloaded" feeders.
Also, backwater (I'm assuming you're talking about this company) reptiles are known for being sort of shady. There are youtube videos of people who receive "CB" snakes and frogs and such, and they arrive injured, sick, OBVIOUSLY WC, or something else. One may be fine, but another might be sick or injured. I've had mixed reviews for backwater reptiles. They're so cheap that it's kind of iffy to buy from them.
Last edited:
Juliaf3
Established Member
I do not think it's for gut loading. I was under the impression they are just raising them on a different diet then their basic crickets. I always gut load them myself. I've always ordered my feeders from back waters. Never had any issues. Well I take they back. I ordered crickets once and our temps dropped crazy low and my crickets arrive with a lot dead. I did not read the shipping info and did not realize temps below 40 void the live arrival guarantee. BUT I emailed them and they went ahead and sent me a 1000 more crickets free of charge. Didn't even pay for shipping. So I do not have anything negative about them. I was just curious if anyone had used vita crickets 
There really isn't that huge a difference in price, I just like the idea of vitamin enriched crickets.
There really isn't that huge a difference in price, I just like the idea of vitamin enriched crickets.
