mantis virus?

[angelofdeathzz]

I could readily debate water chemistry and water treatment but that is outside the scope of the original poster's question. Many successful mantis keepers have used tap water for years without black tar spitting problems.

You could debate how our water is handled but you would be on the short end of the stick there. Of course mantis and people can drink it but why when you could be safer? Not sure if tap water caused it or not but properly feed feeders that you raise yourself is always a plus for any carnivorous pet.

 

[jrh3]

i never had a problem with any reptiles or insects from tap waterNEVER.

 

[fleurdejoo]

I think you need to know about the tap water in your area. Some places are really bad!!

I always used distilled water to mist and feed.

However...I honestly have an opinion about the black, stinky vomit.

The only time I have ever had mantid's die from this is when I (Jude Jett) failed to keep my feeders clean!!!

I swear I truly believe that is what it's all about.

You all know of my cricket problem. I do not like them at all.

Sooooo I have neglected them in the past and I got 2 dead valida's to show for it.

Keep your feeders super clean and I bet it won't be an issue.

That's my policy anyway.

 

[Precarious]

I boil my own water, let it cool, then pour into a gallon container with a lid. It's the same as buying distilled but cheaper.

Boiling will kill bacteria but do nothing about fluoride or other additives. Letting it sit in a wide open container for at least 24 hours will allow the chlorine to escape.

I think you need to know about the tap water in your area. Some places are really bad!!

I always used distilled water to mist and feed.

However...I honestly have an opinion about the black, stinky vomit.

The only time I have ever had mantid's die from this is when I (Jude Jett) failed to keep my feeders clean!!!

I swear I truly believe that is what it's all about.

You all know of my cricket problem. I do not like them at all.

Sooooo I have neglected them in the past and I got 2 dead valida's to show for it.

Keep your feeders super clean and I bet it won't be an issue.

That's my policy anyway.

I don't know who this chick is but she sounds like she knows what she's talking about.

I would ask if you've been feeding them on crickets. They seem to be the cause in most cases. Certain species are susceptible to the black vomit. R.valida, as mentioned above, are prone to this. But Cilnia, in my experience are very hardy. Although, out of the 4 females I was raising, one died very similarly to what you describe. Her abdomen started to blacken at the end and eventually she died. No way to know for sure why. She was fed crickets regularly but could also have been fungal. No issues with the other 3 females or 4 males. This is only my second generation of Cilnia so I can't say if this is an issue with the species or bad crickets.

 

[fleurdejoo]

You don't know who I am?!?!!??

5'4", dark hair, baking skills, knitting skills, no nun chuk skills?

 

[patrickfraser]

I have only used tap water for all my critters and have not noticed any reason not to. My water is "well" water and I don't know if that makes a difference, or not.

 

[Precarious]

You don't know who I am?!?!!??

5'4", dark hair, baking skills, knitting skills, no nun chuk skills?

Hmmm... Sounds vaguely familiar. Oh, wait. You're the girl that came over then never folded my laundry like you said you would! In fact, you made my Mayan calendar shirt even wrinklier! I'm calling the Better Business Bureau. Is that still around or do I just give you a bad review on Yelp?

I have only used tap water for all my critters and have not noticed any reason not to. My water is "well" water and I don't know if that makes a difference, or not.

Well water is untreated and naturally filtered. Unless they are fracking for oil near you it should be good.

 

[jrh3]

You don't know who I am?!?!!??

5'4", dark hair, baking skills, knitting skills, no nun chuk skills?

lol baking is all you neeed haha. too funny.

 

[Orin]

lol baking is all you neeed haha. too funny.

Let's try to stay on task and relay our personal experiences, or lack of, on the tar spitting problem.

 

[fleurdejoo]

Orin, I hear you and obey.

I'll try to stay in Other.

 

[lancaster1313]

It sounds like something wrong with feeders, or maybe stagnant moisture causing dirty conditions.

How is the ventilation in the mantids containers?

I have used filtered tap water from here in S. Florida and filtered well water in rural TN. The well water, before being filtered, smelled bad.

Still, I have never had a health problem in my invertebrates, on account of the water.

 

[sally]

My well water is crystal clear. I only use the distilled because I have to buy it anyway for the humidifier in the bug room. The calcium and lime content is to strong and scales up tubing fast.

 

[jrh3]

i say pesticide exposure

 

[dgerndt]

It could also depend on what you're feeding your crickets. I fed my crickets carrots once, and then my ghosts that ate them threw up all over. Lots and lots of vomit. I cleaned their cages, changed the crickets' diet, and both lived to adulthood and died of old age.