Thursday, March 30, 2021

Good insects to raise at home.

As companion animals become more and more common, unconventional pets are hiting the mainstream. Insects are an increasingly popular option, and butterflies are the top choice. It's fun to observe the life cycle of butterfies as an educational activity.

Crickets have actually been kept as house pets in China for hundreds of years. Even if you can't catch a cricket in your house or yard, most pet stores carry them as food for larger animals. While you can easily order a cricket cage online, using a jar with holes punched in the top is just as effective and much cheaper. Remember to place a damp sponge in the cage or jar so they can stay hydrated, and keep them someplace warm.

Ladybugs are especially popular with the kids. Whether you catch them yourself or order their larvae from the internet, these are also pretty easy to care for indoors. Just like crickets, ladybugs need a damp sponge to drink from. They like to dine on aphids, but they can get by on fruit in a pinch.

Praying mantises can be a handful to raise. Not only does the female often devour the male after mating, but the babies eat each other up as well. This means they need to be kept in seperate containers to prevent a fight to the death. This can be a little too much for an amateur.