Worm in Crickets?

[MUD]

This came in my crickets? Do I need to throw them away? What is it?
Thanks!!

 

[Josh]

I would throw them away. They're little bugs that feed on cricket waste. Harmless if consumed by reptiles but they're kinda gross IMHO so i smash em and toss em.

 

[acpart]

It's likely that these worms are the larval form of dermestid beetles, which are pretty small (about 1/4" or less) black beetles that do eat dead crickets and cricket droppings. They are harmless, but if you want, you can get rid of them.

Aliza

 

[Josh]

Wow I did not know that Aliza! Mind = blown!

 

[MUD]

I have spent way too many hours tonight learning about these little buggers and they are pretty cool for clean up crew.

 

[Josh]

Yeah! They're actually really handy!

 

[acpart]

Dermestid beetles are also good to have in leopard gecko bioactive enclosures because they don't need much moisture like the more traditional springtails and isopods do.

Aliza