d. tityus Questions

[Goldsystem]

I have 4 L1 d. tityus Larvae coming in the mail tomorrow and I just got a gallon of substrate today, I separated it out into four containers with small holes poked in the top (to hold in more moisture) here are pictures of the containers and substrate:

https://imgur.com/46Y8NlT.jpg

https://imgur.com/BZl559x.jpg

https://imgur.com/h3nha4d.jpg

My questions are:

1 is that enough soil?

2 if it's not enough can I combine it and house more than one larvae together

And 3 how often do I need to change the soil? (the soil is flake soil from bugs in cyberspace)

[Ratmosphere]

I'm thinking that will last you about a month. Once they are L2 they definitely need a bigger sized enclosure. No, don't combine larvae. Change the soil once you notice a lot of frass. Don't switch out the entire substrate, mix some of the old in with the new.

[Goldsystem]

I'm thinking that will last you about a month. Once they are L2 they definitely need a bigger sized enclosure. No, don't combine larvae. Change the soil once you notice a lot of frass. Don't switch out the entire substrate, mix some of the old in with the new.

Can I use organic potting soil aswell? If so is there a brand you recommend?

[Ratmosphere]

Yeah you can use it as a filler for L1s. I do that to conserve substrate. I use Miracle Gro organic potting soil with no perlite. It's the one in a green bag. The ingredients suck though, the one they made years before was really good.

[Goldsystem]

Can I use it with L2s and 3s?

[Ratmosphere]

A little bit. I think Peters substrate has everything you need to raise good sized adults.

[Goldsystem]

A little bit. I think Peters substrate has everything you need to raise good sized adults.

Ok thanks for the help!

[Ratmosphere]

No problem. Just make sure substrate isn't soaked and you should be good!

[Goldsystem]

I found some soft rotting wood that I could easily break with my fingers, can I add this to the organic potting soil? Will it feed the larvae?

Picture:

https://imgur.com/OFlpFas

(I boiled it already so it's sterilized)

[Ratmosphere]

Looks like brown rot to me. Try and find one that is lighter in color.

[Goldsystem]

Alrighty

[Ratmosphere]

Even if you find a nice piece you need to make sure the substrate is not too wet. Or else the added wood will get green mold.

[Goldsystem]

Ok thank you for letting me know!

[Redmont]

You can also ferment trager pellets to make beetle soil, there is some threads heat on the forums, they may be stickied if not they should be

[Goldsystem]

You can also ferment trager pellets to make beetle soil, there is some threads heat on the forums, they may be stickied if not they should be

Ya I took a peek at those, 6 months fermentation is a long time though. I'm actually thinking about buying a rotting log from you in 2 or 3 weeks, I can't find rotten wood here and you have a good deal so why not.

[Redmont]

I dont have rotten logs for sale as of now, maybe your thinking of another member? I get my soil from BIC

[Goldsystem]

Oh sorry I meant the logs Ratmosphere is selling

[Ratmosphere]

Those are breeding logs specific to stag beetle breeding. It does not come apart easy like other white rotting wood.