Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have all the right setup for rearing pillbugs, including pillbugs from my mom's garden.

The only worry I have is the compost i'm using as a substrate (necessary for their growth & reproduction) is the real deal, from my composter. THere are several other critters living in the compost including earthworms and small white bugs taht look like aphids.

Should I worry about parasites in the compost?
I will only feed one or two pill bugs from the adults i've collected, 1. to have more beeding stock and 2.to avoid parasites. There are already several baby pill bugs in there that fell off mama pill bug in the transfer to their container, and lots of females with egg sacs full.

in order for compost to be totally weed, pest, bacteria free it needs to reach 140 degrees. The temperature of the pile should be maintained between 100° and 140° in order to kill most pathogens and weeds seeds. As the temps drop, the microbial activity gradually slows. If it goes below 20°, the soil biota will stop working. Once the temperature drops on its own this means the compost is ready.

Reality: unless you are serious about proper composting for your garden (many aren't and always wonder why they still have weeds and other problems directly from their compost pile) you have not followed these rules.

So, a basic rule is that if your compost is nice and crumbly, has some earthworms and other detritus feeders (pillbugs included) it is probably oK for your purposes. If there are still a lot of big pieces of plants, and a lot that is not broken down there is a chance that there may be some chemicals, etc. that have not been broken down - but again, this depends on what goes IN to the pile.

Yours is probably OK. the tiny white bugs may be springtails which are fine (do they jump?) If they are in fact aphids, then your pile did not reach anywhere near the appropriate temps. These won't hurt your pillbugs but if you transfer any of this soil into your plants you may end up with an aphid infestation.

Of more concern than parasites are chemicals. If most of what goes into the pile is chemical free you should be OK.

I always wonder if I help or make things clear as mud when I reply to some of this. It's second nature (no pun intended) to me but I try to have it make sense. Let me know if you need clarification

lele
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

My mum's compost system is quite the system indeed. It does reach 100-140 (usually 100-110 here in the summer, was today in fact) and does go WAY below 20. The compost i took out from the bottom has probable been there for a year or more, and it is nice'n crumbly and doesnt even smell bad unelss you stick your nose in it....and yes i tested that....
There are LOADS of earthworms in there, and just about the only thing in the compost that's not a crumbly earthy substance is eggshell and oak leaves, which take much longer to decompose as you probably know.

The only thing we put in the compost is what we don't eat of fruits, veggies, eggs, bread etc. No meat leftovers. There is "green cart" system here for cardboard, meats, just about anything organic and other neic stuff that keeps uis the CLEANEST area in the world. YAY! (theyre even building wind turbines this year...mmm...clean air.....)

thanks for your help,
Charlie

Hi Charlie,

must be nice to live in such a progressive area! where are you? PNW?

A note about the temps....they refer to the internal temps of the compost pile which can be hard to attain, no matter how hot the air temp is You need a certain type of thermometer (long!) to check. Frankly, with my background in horticulture and my design and consult business - don't tell anyone but I use the method of "time" just like your Mom and come up with great, usuable compost every season

As for you pill bugs I am sure they will be happy and healthy - hope your cham appreciates your hard work! LOL!
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

I sure hope so too!
I am in Nova Scotia, Canada (the long peninsula off the coast of maine, if you look at a map.)

I am also going to (try to) start rearing crickets...wish me luck...
Any tips?
Theyre in a rubbermaid plastic garbage can w/egg crate, petri dishes with moist soil (not compost) and being gutloatded on sticky tongue farms' vit-all (which, btw I must say is fantastic. My crickets grow 10-20% faster and larger at an avg of 77F.

you'll have to ask elsewhere about crickets. I have thought of rearing but my need now is limited so I just buy about 200 at a time. I know others rear them and I am sure they can give you tips - have fun!
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

Check out this website for some info, I got an idea for a cricket water dish off it that works great!

Erin
Raising Crickets

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1:1 Veileds (Gene and Aurora)
1:1 Albino Clawed Frogs (Phedre and Jos)
?? Fire belly toad (Harold)
Various cats and dogs

>>Check out this website for some info, I got an idea for a cricket water dish off it that works great!
>>
>>Erin
>>Raising Crickets
>>
>>-----
>>1:1 Veileds (Gene and Aurora)
>>1:1 Albino Clawed Frogs (Phedre and Jos)
>>?? Fire belly toad (Harold)
>>Various cats and dogs
-----
0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta