Cleaning out Substrate

Hypsibius

Hypsibius

L3
How often would anyone recommend changing the substrate for their larvae? I'm just curious, as I would like guidance on when I need to do this for my larva.

 
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I would change it when you see the fecal pellets build up where there is only 30% of usable sub left.

Make sure 20% to 30% of the new substrate is the old sub, so the larvae do not get shocked.

 
Whilst on the subject of substrate, would the wood chip substrate used for reptiles that one can purchase in pet shops be suitable for beetle larvae at all (assuming it is from hardwood trees)?

 
I do not think you can assume that substrate for reptiles is hardwood. Even if it does contain some hardwood to a certain degree, I expect the main ingredient to be some fast growing tree, otherwise it would not be profitable for the manufacturer. I suspect most of these substrates are Cypress and palm tree (like coconut) pieces.

 
For small to medium sized rhino or stag beetles I change out the sub when they turn L3. UNLESS the container is getting really full of fecal pellets or there are too many of those tiny black flies. Man I hate those things!

 
Hmm, I've been seeing a few of those little black flies around the room I'm keeping the larvae in. Does anyone know what they might be if they can cause any harm to the larvae? Also, whilst I'm at it, just for future reference, does anyone know some good sites to buy beetle substrate from?

 
Hypsibius said:
Hmm, I've been seeing a few of those little black flies around the room I'm keeping the larvae in. Does anyone know what they might be if they can cause any harm to the larvae? Also, whilst I'm at it, just for future reference, does anyone know some good sites to buy beetle substrate from?
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Those are fungus gnats. Larvae feed on decaying vegetation and fungi so they often infest the substrate used for rearing beetles. They can't physically harm larvae, but they degrade substrate so it's not good to have them. Also, adults seem to be able to release toxin or something cause I've tried feeding these guys to spiders, but all the ones I fed spat out the fly immediately. Plus when these guys accidentally fly into my mouth or nasal, it hurts like I've ingested acidic substance and the pain lasts for couple of minutes.

Kingdom of beetle taiwan and Tiatan monster beetle shop seems to be two good websites for purchasing substrates "outside" of the US. In the US, only Bugs in Cyberspace seems to sell beetle substrates (excluding some of the substrate selling posts made on this forum).

 
Ah, I see. Well, I'm at least glad they won't harm my larvae. Also, thank you, I will check those websites. I do intend to make some of my own substrate in the future. I should probably look up some guides on how to do so.

 
Those flies can be unbearable at times. A good trick I read in a book is to use cheese cloth between the lid of the container to keep the gnats from spreading.

 
Greatwun said:
Those flies can be unbearable at times. A good trick I read in a book is to use cheese cloth between the lid of the container to keep the gnats from spreading.
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As for myself, I'm a cheapskate; I cut up old T-shirts and use those instead of cheese cloth. Besides, T-shirts have a finer mesh and keep out all sorts of little pests.

Just my two-cents worth.

Cheers

 
Bill Myers said:
As for myself, I'm a cheapskate; I cut up old T-shirts and use those instead of cheese cloth. Besides, T-shirts have a finer mesh and keep out all sorts of little pests.

Just my two-cents worth.

Cheers
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Thanks for the advice. I will have to save my hole torn tees now instead of throwing them out.

 
Very recently the fungus gnats have been getting to me. I think the best thing for larvae that are kept in deli cups of any size, to minimize or stop those small gnatswhich I found is to poke several tack holes around the top sides. The holes are so small, It really is helping so far, and the humidity seems more stable now before I had 4 holes the thickness of a #2 wood pencil lead. Those holes were overkill. Six tack holes are enough for a 32 oz deli cup.

I think the cloths are better for breeding tanks, since steralite bin plastic is thicker.

 
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