Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've read it's ok to feed wild insects as long as you know they haven't been exposed to pesticides, but just how exacly are you supposed to know? I have a bit of a roach problem in my apartment( I rent it because of it's proximity to campus, not it's luxury). Anyway, I've been feeding roaches to my beardie for about a month now and he's fine, and I don't use any pesticide or traps or anything like that(in my place at least, but I would think if there were chemicals being used then I wouldn't have the roaches!). The beardie loves them, but I'm still a little weary of feeding them to my cham(he's younger and smaller). So I just thought I'd get you guys two cents.Thanks!

My advice to you would be to stop feeding these roaches to your animals. Even though you may not be using any type of pesticide, others in your apartment complex (assuming there are other apartments) may be using them. Roaches are known for their ability to survive even under the worst of conditions, so who knows if these roaches are tainted with traces of pesticides? Your best bet would be to spend the extra couple bucks and purchase roaches and other insects from an insect supplier. Have a great one!
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Christopher Luecht
Chameleon Crazy
www.chameleoncrazy.com
Email: info@chameleoncrazy.com

I think you're rolling the dice. There is a good possiblity someone else may be trying to poison the infestation, and if not now maybe tomorrow. You could inadvertantly feed a poisoned roach to your lizard, as the roach could easily not show signs of its own coming demise until it's too late. Also, roaches are suprisingly resiliant, and may survive posions that could sicken your lizrd.

You're better off raising your own or buying them.

You could I suppose catch some of your apartment roaches, keep them for a few weeks, feeding them well, and waiting for them to moult, so that anything in their guts is passed and anything on their old exoskeleton is shed with it.

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SandraChameleon@gmail.com
BC Canada