So, do geckos eat roaches, and what do you need to do about it? In this article, you will learn the answer to these questions and ways to get rid of roaches without harming your geckos. You will also discover what to do if you have both roaches and geckos in your home! So, let’s get started.
What do geckos eat in the wild?
What do geckos eat in the natural environment? Most geckos eat insects. But geckos are also frugivores, meaning they love to feast on different types of plants and fruit.
Some geckos have even been known to enjoy eating bread and eggs. Some species have even been observed eating garlic sauce and chocolate cake cream. In addition to insects, some species also consume small snails and eggs.
In the wild, geckos eat insects and invertebrates. They prefer to prey on smaller insects than they are. They will also target small rodents and snakes. Some geckos will even eat the eggs of other geckos! Because geckos are ectotherms, they become less active in cold weather.
If you’d like to keep your gecko, it’s important to understand what it eats.
Do geckos eat roaches?
Yes, geckos eat roaches, but only in small amounts. Feeding geckos roaches from your home could be dangerous to them, because roaches contain bacteria, germs, and pesticides.
It is better to purchase roaches from the pet shop than feeding your Beardie from the backyard. Even if you don’t intend to feed your Beardie roaches, you should still watch for the following signs.
A typical adult gecko will eat about two to six roaches in a single meal.
Occasionally, some geckos will feed on only two roaches at a time. Others can eat up to seven roaches in a single day. The size of the roach will determine how many roaches your gecko will consume in one sitting.
How to get rid of roaches without harming geckos
You can use pesticide sprays to kill roaches, but young geckos are particularly sensitive and can be killed by the chemicals in the solution.
To avoid causing harm to your lizard friends, you should be very careful when applying roach sprays, and read the directions on the packaging carefully.
Using an eco-lizard repellent is another option. This non-toxic solution keeps geckos away from their favorite hiding and feeding areas. It will keep them away for at least three months.
If you find that roaches are invading your home, you can use caulk to seal their entryways. Caulk can seal cracks in baseboards, inside the pantry, and between the walls and countertops.
It will also work to seal drains and pipes. Make sure to keep your home clean, and don’t leave it vacant. Roaches can easily find food sources, including the geckos, so be sure to seal off these areas.
Are roaches bad for Geckos?
As any pet owner knows, providing your pet with a healthy and enriching environment is important. For reptiles, this often means incorporating live prey into their diet.
While many different types of live prey can be used, one of the most common is the cockroach. But are cockroaches actually good for geckos?
It is true that cockroaches are an excellent source of nutrients for geckos. They are high in protein and fat, and they also provide a good source of calcium.
However, there are also some potential downsides to feeding cockroaches to geckos. Cockroaches can be quite messy, and they often carry bacteria that can harm reptiles.
In addition, if not properly monitored, cockroaches can quickly overrun a gecko’s enclosure.
Conclusion
House geckos are nocturnal, meaning they’re able to feed on small roaches when the lights are out. This makes them ideal prey for a gecko, as they’re easy to catch and digest.
A big roach is harder to swallow for a gecko than a small one, so this is an important consideration when choosing roach food for your pet.
While geckos naturally eat more food than roaches, a pet gecko’s digestive system is not developed enough to cope with such a large amount of food.
Most geckos will stop eating when they’re full, but a few will chow down on roaches even after they’re full. Generally speaking, a gecko’s diet should consist of six roaches, three times a week.
