When we say pets, insects are the last animals we would think of. However, there are surprising advantages to keeping pet insects.
For starters, some insects are so exotic and attractive that they will be adorable and interesting pets.
Secondly, an insect terrarium is so easy to maintain; for instance, you don’t have to frantically maintain water conditions as in an aquarium. Pet insects are such a low upkeep.
Excited to set up your first-ever insect tank? We’ll guide you on the basics of keeping these critters as pets.
Let’s get started.
Insects You Can Keep As Pets
First off, let’s look at some of the popular choices for pet insects. The care you should give largely depends on what species you choose.
And you have a huge range of selection – insects are the most diverse class of animals in the world with approximately 1 million known species.
Good insects to keep as pets include praying mantises, stick insects, lady bugs, and flower chafer beetles. Many like to keep spiders too, but they are technically arachnids, not insects.
Each insect pet has its own level of difficulty. For instance, praying mantises are carnivorous and need live food, which makes it somewhat difficult to feed them.
While ladybugs are mostly carnivorous and particularly fond of aphids, they can also be content with a diet of raisins, honey, and lettuce.
Stick insects and flower chafer beetles are herbivores; the former can be sustained through brambles such as raspberry or blackberry, while the latter can consume pollen, nectar, and fruits.
Insect Tank Size, Type, and Dimensions
You would imagine that a terrarium with insects doesn’trequire that much space, but some of the larger insects such as certain stick insects and praying mantises require a big tank.
The general rule is that the tank should be at least 3 times taller and 2 times wider than the adult length of the insect.
It is important to give ample room for insects that molt – without sufficient space, the insect may become deformed or even die.
Certain types of tanks are better for certain insects. For instance, insects that require a lot of ventilation could use a mesh enclosure. On the other hand, insects that require high humidity are better housed in a glass tank.
Wooden terrarium is an aesthetic option that also offers good heat insulation if you happen to be in a cold area.
The tank should be closed to prevent the escape of the inhabitants and must have ventilation holes. There is a variety of tanks on Amazon to choose from.
Condition Requirements of an Insect Terrarium
While the specific requirements depend on the species in question, there are general guidelines when it comes to insect care.
Choose conditions that closely resemble the insect pet you have; if they live in the rainforest, they require high humidity, and if they live in the desert, they require a dry warm environment.
Most insects would do well in the temperature range of 68-77° F. If the ambient temperature is lower than this, you should use a heat lamp or heating pad.
Some insects, like certain stick insects, require humidity levels of up to 75%; you can mist the tank once or twice per day to maintain that level. Be careful though: too much humidity with too little ventilation can lead to the growth of mold and fungus.
Moreover, avoid large drinking bowls where your pet can get trapped and drown itself; in fact, some insects are perfectly fine drinking water droplets that form on various surfaces as you mist the terrarium.
Unlike certain other pets, insects don’t require UV lights – it is in fact harmful to them. They do benefit from a day/night lighting cycle with 10-12 hours of light.
Some insects are nocturnal, so you may have to use low-intensity light to observe their nocturnal adventures.
While most insect terrariums are open, some aim for a closed terrarium that is self-sustaining; there is no need to water such terrarium and you can even create a tiny ecosystem inside with plants and animals to feed your pets.
Lastly, whatever you introduce to your insect terrarium, make sure it is free of any sort of insecticide or pesticide, for obvious reasons.
Additional Insects For Your Terrarium
Your pet doesn’t have to be the only insect in the terrarium; there could be additional insects that fulfill certain roles.
Insects such as aphids can serve as food to carnivorous pets such as ladybugs and praying mantises; that way you can create a complete self-sustaining ecosystem in your terrarium, sparing you the need to feed your pets.
Isopods can keep your tank clean by consuming dead materials.
Earthworms are farmers’ best friends – they condition the soil by providing ventilation and drainage for water.
If you use dug up soil as your substrate, you will invariably introduce various critters into your terrarium, which may not be a bad thing as we’ve seen.
Insect Substrate
First you can cover the bottom of your tank with sand or gravel, which does a good job draining excess water.
You can cover the top with a layer of peat soil, potting earth, tree bark, tissue paper, or vermiculite. Some insects like to burrow themselves – get a soft substrate for them.
If you want to avoid the multitude of creatures that come with natural soil, you can buy potting soil with nothing in it.
Whatever you do, make sure you avoid soil that may have any insecticide in it – avoid it altogether if you aren’t sure.
Décor for Your Insect Terrarium
Get twigs, branches, and plants for climbers such as stick insects and praying mantises; they also molt hanging upside down, so it is important to provide them with ample vertical space.
Stick insects also use twigs, branches, and plants as camouflage – they make them feel safe and less stressed, so they are essential.
Insects are also easily spooked, so make sure you provide them with hiding places such as caves and tunnels.
Conclusion
You have no shortage of options when it comes to insects for terrariums. You can choose the praying mantis, stick insect, ladybug, flower chafer beetle or any of the 1 million species of insects out there.
Insects are relatively easy pets too, making them suitable for people who are too busy for cats, dogs, or fish.
The only downside is that pet insects don’t live that long, so don’t get too emotionally attached to them.
Overall, insects make great pets with minimal commitment; good luck setting up your first terrarium with insects.
Thanks for reading.
