Q&A for How to Make a Bug Terrarium

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Question

How often should you clean a terrarium?

Shweta Sharma
Biologist
Shweta Sharma is a Biologist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). With nearly ten years of experience, she specializes in insect management, integrated pest management, insect behavior, resistance management, ecology, and biological control. She earned her PhD in Urban Entomology and her MS in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida. She also holds a BS in Agriculture from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Nepal.

Shweta Sharma

Biologist

Expert Answer

Try to clean your bug terrarium once every few days—frequent cleanings help stop mold growth.

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Question

What happens if you put too much stuff in there?

Community Answer

The bugs will not have space to move and will have trouble finding their way through. They can also die.

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Question

Where can I find centipedes?

Community Answer

The best places to to find insects is under rocks or potted plants that are on the ground, centipedes included.

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Question

What size container should I use for catching a centipede or beetles?

Community Answer

It depends on the size of your beetle or centipede. My millipede is about 7 cm so I put it in a 15-20 cm container. I suggest using a container about double the size of your insect.

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Question

Could I use plastic wrap with small holes in it to cover the top?

Community Answer

Yes. As long as you poke the holes, they will have air and it will be fine.

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Question

What do I do if I find a bug that's bigger than my container?

Community Answer

You would need to find a bigger container that fits the size of the bug. If the insect gets any bigger, switch to a different container that lets your bug move freely. If you don't have a big enough container, do not try to capture the bug.

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Question

What is the best way to take care of pill bugs?

Arinx Gaming

Community Answer

You can use a 10 gallon tank, a critter keeper, or a plastic tupperware with soil, leaves, rotten leaves, and leftovers from fruits and vegetables.

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Question

How often should I feed ladybugs?

Community Answer

Ladybugs eat aphids found on roses, around the flower. Cut off that part, put it in the terrarium, and observe how much the ladybug eats over a day or so.

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Question

Can I use a pickle jar for a snail?

Community Answer

Yes, but snails do better in larger environments, in groups of two to 10. You can keep your snail in there for a short time, but try to upgrade it into a critter keeper terrarium.

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Question

Where can I find millipedes?

Community Answer

You can find millipedes under just about any rock or log in a natural environment during the warmer months, especially just after a rainfall.

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Question

How do I take care of centipedes?

Community Answer

Give them a place to dig. Make sure the terrarium is damp but not so much so t hat there are big puddles. BEWARE. Most centipedes bite and some are even poisonous. Stay away from brightly-colored centipedes.

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Question

How do the bugs breathe without air in the terrarium? Do I just poke holes in the lid?

Community Answer

You can poke holes in the lid of your jar or cover your terrarium with a screen lid. Most terrariums sold in stores come with screen lids, but if you don't have one, you can cut the screen out of an old screen door and secure it over the top of the terrarium with some tape.

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Question

If I don't want holes on the top, can I just put live plants in there?

Community Answer

Yes, that would work.

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Question

Does it matter what size or what bug it is?

Community Answer

No, as long as you have the appropriate sized container for them. If you want to have multiple types of bugs, it's best if you make sure that they won't eat each other.

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Question

How do I tell a millipede's gender and age?

Community Answer

Age is dependent on the size of your millipede compared to the maximum size of the species. Male millipedes do not have egg-sacks, while females do. (They have two little, white, round lumps near their rear end, which males do not have.)

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Question

Do ground wasps eat spiders?

Community Answer

Yes, also grasshoppers and beetles.

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Question

Does the terrarium need holes in the lid, or will the plants provide oxygen? I'm afraid that my baby insects will escape! What should I do?

Community Answer

With enough plants, it should be self-sustaining, but you could just use a toothpick in some clear wrapping to keep your bugs in.

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Question

Can I also use normal cloth, like for clothing, to cover my terrarium?

Community Answer

Yes, you can use any non airtight material, but if you want to be super safe, you can make small air holes.

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Question

Should I avoid certain bugs in a terrarium for health reasons or problems with escape?

Community Answer

Yes, some bugs, such as centipedes, can be poisonous. Also, remember to keep the lid on tight or larger bugs may be able to escape.

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Question

How do I get my male and female earwigs to mate?

Community Answer

Place one male and one female into a small container with substrate. Provide little to no food and simply wait. Natural instincts will eventually kick in (provided you are doing this in the right season) and they should mate.

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Question

How do you know when a ladybug is dead?

Community Answer

Ladybugs flip over on their backs for a short period of time when they sleep, but if you notice that your little lady has been flipped over for a long period of time, it may be dead. Keep in mind that ladybugs can sleep a few minutes to an hour.

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Question

Were is a good place to find beetles and what do they eat?

Community Answer

You can find beetles under decaying logs and large rocks loosely surrounded by soil. Most beetles eat leaves, seeds, and fruit.

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Question

What does it mean when a lady bug is lying flat on its belly and not moving?

Community Answer

It is probably sleeping. You don't need to touch it. If it is lying on its back and not moving, then it is probably dead.

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Question

How do I bond with my bug?

Community Answer

Well, you can't really bond with a bug. Bugs don't have complex feelings like affection. You can spend time with your bug and take good care of it, however.

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Question

Can I use wood chips instead?

Community Answer

It depends on what type of insect. If your bug was found in similar substrate, that should work fine.

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Question

Can I put ladybugs into a terrarium?

Community Answer

Yes, just be sure than you properly take care of their needs (feed them aphids and provide them with water).

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Question

Can a milipede fit in a tiny container?

Community Answer

It depends on the size of the container and the bug. I recommend using a container that is at least double the size of your millipede.

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Question

Can my terrarium have too much space?

Community Answer

No - the more room for animals, the better, especially frogs and stick bugs. Just make sure the food and water is easily accessible.

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Question

Where can I find a praying mantis?

Jasmine Rhee

Community Answer

The praying mantis is found in many differing habitats. They are generally located in the warmer regions, particularly tropical and subtropical latitudes. Most species live in the tropical rainforest, although others can be found in deserts, grasslands and meadowlands.

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Question

I have been wondering, I have 7 pillbugs, (still working on their terrarium) have I got too many to have in one terrarium?

Community Answer

You have just enough! They like being in groups, so 7 would be perfect for a group size. Make sure the terrarium has plenty of space and hiding spots.

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