Crickets (??) in the night box

[SinLA]

Ugh first ants and now crickets - at least I think that’s what these are. I found a handful living in his nightbox and I can see their poop everywhere! Any recommendations ?? (Or guidance on what these are if not crickets?).

They are living in the electrical area which is also concerning

Located in SoCal, Adult male Russian Tort outdoor enclosure

 

[Maro2Bear]

Yes. Looks like crickets to me. I can’t think of any reason to worry about crickets what-so-ever. They don’t bite or do anything nasty other than steal a wee bit of food as needed. In fact, depending your tortoise type - they might end up as dinner one evening. Id say, don’t worry.

 

[wellington]

I agree with Maro2Bear. I don't think your russian will eat them though unless by accident.

 

[SinLA]

I agree with Maro2Bear. I don't think your russian will eat them though unless by accident.

I wish he would eat them to make them go away, but no, I don't think that will happen

 

[Maro2Bear]

I know that Box Turtles would devour crickets…slowly moving in to catch their prey. I don’t see why given the access & desire why a Russian would not. 🦗🦗🦗

 

[SinLA]

I know that Box Turtles would devour crickets…slowly moving in to catch their prey. I don’t see why given the access & desire why a Russian would not. 🦗🦗🦗

I don’t think they are omnivores. They only eat flowers and leafy greens.

 

[Tom]

They don’t bite or do anything nasty...

Mark and @wellington ,
Respectfully, this is not correct. Barb, I would have thought you'd know this due to your extensive pet store experience. Crickets can and will chew on sleeping reptiles. Many a bearded dragon or leopard gecko has been chewed on by nocturnal crickets in search of moisture and a meal. They will bite the soft areas around the eyes, cloaca and the skin around the bases of the toenails.

In stark contrast, roaches will not chew on a live animal, which is just one of the many reasons why I prefer to feed roaches to insectivores. I haven't used crickets as feeders in decades now.

@SinLA The best method I have found for controlling their numbers is the old style "Roach Motels". It is simply a sticky trap baited with molasses. No pesticides, and totally safe for a tortoise. I set them up out of reach of the tortoises and after a few days of use, you can flip the trap upside down and get double the use out of it.

 

[wellington]

Mark and @wellington ,
Respectfully, this is not correct. Barb, I would have thought you'd know this due to your extensive pet store experience. Crickets can and will chew on sleeping reptiles. Many a bearded dragon or leopard gecko has been chewed on by nocturnal crickets in search of moisture and a meal. They will bite the soft areas around the eyes, cloaca and the skin around the bases of the toenails.

In stark contrast, roaches will not chew on a live animal, which is just one of the many reasons why I prefer to feed roaches to insectivores. I haven't used crickets as feeders in decades now.

@SinLA The best method I have found for controlling their numbers is the old style "Roach Motels". It is simply a sticky trap baited with molasses. No pesticides, and totally safe for a tortoise. I set them up out of reach of the tortoises and after a few days of use, you can flip the trap upside down and get double the use out of it.

I totally forgot about that.
I also had a cricket invasion in my house years ago when Tatum was tiny and they never did bother him. Likely though because there was always other food available.

 

[SinLA]

@SinLA The best method I have found for controlling their numbers is the old style "Roach Motels". It is simply a sticky trap baited with molasses. No pesticides, and totally safe for a tortoise. I set them up out of

Ugh. thanks for the info...

 

[wellington]

Sorry OP I did totally blank out about crickets being able to chew on reptiles.
Like I said above, my small leopard was never bothered but most likely there was other food available.
Leave a few greens out all night until you can get rid of them. Maybe put the greens in a cricket keeper leaving it open so the crickets will gather in the box and you can get them out

 

[TammyJ]

Wow, Tom. I had no idea crickets were like that! Hmmm. Live and learn! Thanks for the information!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Mark and @wellington ,
Respectfully, this is not correct. Barb, I would have thought you'd know this due to your extensive pet store experience. Crickets can and will chew on sleeping reptiles. Many a bearded dragon or leopard gecko has been chewed on by nocturnal crickets in search of moisture and a meal. They will bite the soft areas around the eyes, cloaca and the skin around the bases of the toenails.

In stark contrast, roaches will not chew on a live animal, which is just one of the many reasons why I prefer to feed roaches to insectivores. I haven't used crickets as feeders in decades now.

@SinLA The best method I have found for controlling their numbers is the old style "Roach Motels". It is simply a sticky trap baited with molasses. No pesticides, and totally safe for a tortoise. I set them up out of reach of the tortoises and after a few days of use, you can flip the trap upside down and get double the use out of it.

I had a few crickets breed and they killed and half devoured a small Chameleon once.
It's why I don't keep live crickets in my Chameleon cages.
Although if I saw one or two, I wouldn't think too much about it in an outside tortoise enclosure.

 

[Tom]

I had a few crickets breed and they killed and half devoured a small Chameleon once.
It's why I don't keep live crickets in my Chameleon cages.
Although if I saw one or two, I wouldn't think too much about it in an outside tortoise enclosure.

Many new reptile keepers go to the store and buy $1 or $2 of crickets and just toss them all in to the enclosure, figuring the reptile will eat them when it wants. Happens all the time. Same thing with live rodents and snakes. Snakes get chewed up all the time.

 

[SinLA]

I had a few crickets breed and they killed and half devoured a small Chameleon once.
It's why I don't keep live crickets in my Chameleon cages.
Although if I saw one or two, I wouldn't think too much about it in an outside tortoise enclosure.

I feel like they are infesting his night box, I saw maybe 6 and its a small space

 

[SinLA]

Put out a roach motel and one went in right away, while I was watching. SOOOOOO GROSS....

 

[Maro2Bear]

Hhhhm. We must have very different types of crickets here in Maryland. But, i stand corrected for sure. Ive never seen crickets attacking/eating anything so its time to do more research! @Tom Thanks for setting the record straight.

 

[Tom]

Put out a roach motel and one went in right away, while I was watching. SOOOOOO GROSS....

Roaches check in, but they don't check out. Crickets too.

 

[SinLA]

Roaches check in, but they don't check out. Crickets too.

I really really hate the idea of glue traps. Seems so horribly inhumane even for insects...

 

[Tom]

I really really hate the idea of glue traps. Seems so horribly inhumane even for insects...

You'll hate them a lot less if your tortoise gets injured by crickets.

 

[SinLA]

You'll hate them a lot less if your tortoise gets injured by crickets.

Yup, that’s why the roach motel is already in place. As well as ant traps…