In fact, they have been kept as … Many believe that a pet lizard must be fed live bugs or other living animals. Millipedes were named for their many feet, and there are more than 10,000 species of millipede worldwide. It's estimated that there are 10 quintillion insects alive at any time (don’t worry, only 91,000 live in America!). The severity of the reaction varies from mild irritation to death, so — seriously — do your research. The “other” category is the box checked by insect owners. Besides praying mantises, stick insects, beetles and butterflies there are more species of bugs that can be kept as pets! Crickets are inexpensive to care for and can be found almost anywhere. ), Perhaps a more appropriate name for these insects would be “preying mantis.”, That’s because these guys are merciless when it comes to their meals. Your cool pet bug may have been bred in captivity, but that doesn't mean it is fully domesticated. A pet bug is quiet, doesn't eat much and requires minimal care. Besides that, watching and learning about each species is a fun way to have a pet that won’t ask to be taken out for a walk in the rain. Your pet brings more than just happiness into your home. You should also research the insect you’d like to keep as a pet so you know what its needs are. In her book Great Garden Companions, author Sally Jean Cunningham explains that “without insect pollination there would be food shortages, because about one-third of the food we eat comes from plants pollinated by insects.”, In fact, Cunningham says, “Insects are critical to the decay cycle that returns nutrients to the soil. Another arachnid on this list of pet “insects”? Regardless of whether an insect is foreign or domestic, there are some species that absolutely cannot be kept as pets no matter what. You can find pantry pests when they leave infested foods to crawl or fly around the house. They are a reddish-brown color, and usually have a … Can Bed Bugs Travel on Pets? Compared to common pets like cats, dogs, rodents and birds they require less time and space. Sometimes this hissing subsides if the roach is used to being handled. These laws are designed to prevent ecosystem unbalance should a nonnative species escape. Spring Cleaning Tips That Keep Bugs at Bay, It’s Good to Give Thanks: 5 Ways We’re Thankful for Pest Control. Sure, dogs and cats make awesome pets — but they’re not for everyone. Keeping Insects as Pets. These industrious insects are some of the most fun to watch. For example, cockroaches hear through their feet. However, the second you cross state lines regulations will apply and a license from the USDA APHIS will be needed. These may seem like nothing but pests, but according to Linda Lombardi at USA Today, the most common cockroach kept as a pet is the hissing cockroach, named for the unique hissing noise it makes. Hefty fines will be handed out all around if the rules aren’t followed. Oh, boy. No. It’s designed to discourage illegal trafficking of certain animals, plants and plant products. The simple answer is yes. What it looks like: These bugs are shaped a bit like a stink bug and grow up to 3/4 inch long. This is especially true if you see any signs of an allergic reaction, such as … Learn much more about stick insects in our care guide. Some insects are restricted by law, depending on where you live. A pet doodlebug’s needs are simple: Just provide a shallow, sandy box and some insects to prey on, and your doodle will be happy. The professional pest control technicians at Vulcan Termite and Pest Control Inc. know how to handle every type of insect, whether or not they’re a pet. Head lice. They’re nocturnal, so expect to see them more active at night. Other than food and water, pet ants need little maintenance once you’ve built their enclosure to their specific species’ needs. Is it a bed bug or lice? Like mosquitoes, they are attracted to carbon dioxide. If your pet is losing a great deal of hair, and if it is not from ticks, fleas or usual shedding reasons, then there is a possibility you are having bed bugs in the home. If you are just coming home from the pet store, it might not be a good idea to make any attempts to stroking your new little eight-legged pet. All this makes them an increasingly popular group of animals to keep as pets, for young and old people alike! If your dog or cat tries to eat a bug that has a stinger (like a bee or a wasp) they may end up getting stung on the inside of their mouth. The many different kinds of insects that infest dried foods are often called "pantry pests." There is one exception: anytime a naturally occurring insect is being transported within a state no permit is needed. Any insect on one of the lists below is illegal to keep. Bugs In Cyberspace offers a wide selection of invertebrates, including live pet arachnids, feeder bugs, and insects. They can live up to 16 months and grow to 1 foot long. Bugs love water and are attracted to moisture, so putting your petâ s food and water right next to each other is like hitting the jackpot for cockroaches. Special Bowls There are a few different types of bowls you can buy at your local pet supply store that will help you discourage bugs from getting into your petâ s food. 1. Between mopping up dirt and mud, picking leaves and twigs out of their fur, and applying flea medication every month, its easy to lose your cool over keeping your furry friends healthy. While you may think bugs are creepy and gross, your dog or cat may think they look like a tasty snack! While some can be handled safely, others cannot. OK, without further ado, here’s our list of “creepy” insects that make great pets …. Before you go out and catch the first bug you see and bring it in the house, you'll want to do a little research as to which bugs make the best pets. do tarantulas like being stroked. For some, the sound of crickets is quite soothing. Bed bugs don't live on pets, although they might hitch a ride or, on rare occasions, have a nibble. But that doesn't mean pets such as dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, mice, and even birds won't be the victims of a blood meal. It will still act on instinct — a fact of life for which you need to be prepared. For example, a pet tarantula might bite if handled too roughly. For more information about our available pet insect and bug species, visit our website today. These two pests often are mistaken for each other. Crickets. The rules vary from one city to the next, but there are a few standard regulations that usually come with keeping an insect as a pet no matter where you live. Be aware, however, that certain bugs are illegal to own in certain places; for example, in New York City, tarantulas, black widows, and other venomous spiders cannot be kept as pets. Bugs like a nice home for the same basic reasons you do. They often gather in pots, pans or dishes or on window sills. Besides being better for the planet, bug-based pet food might check the boxes from a nutritional standpoint, too. Which bugs make good pets? Research your species and look for one that tends to be more docile — some tarantula species are introverts and will bite you if you come too close. Using caution when handling your spider is always a good idea. Other times the sender may need to get a special permit to ship the insect. If so, these insects might be a great pet for you. Because of this, exotic pets come with a lot more restrictions. Cats and dogs can get bed bugs on them. Then check out these fun and interesting insects. Customs will comb through packages, which means there’s a good chance perpetrators will get caught. Bed bugs will take the easier meal to get to so since humans don't have fur to bury through like most pets, bedbugs will usually bite a human over a pet. Your pet mealworms need only a bed of oats and a couple pieces of fresh veggies to be happy. The doodlebug is the immature stage of the antlion, but antlions can stay in this larval stage for years. Exporters and importers also have to provide documentation that proves the insects were acquired legally. Just like humans, only some pets are allergic to bees and wasps. However, having a license doesn’t mean you’re able to ship and receive insects as you please. They are cute and childlike but are not a substitute for human babies. Read up on relevant laws regarding these animals and discuss your intent to purchase one with your landlord, if applicable. While most people do everything they can to get rid of insects, some people invite them into their home. Like we mentioned earlier in the article, bed bugs prefer to inhabit tight spaces. We don’t have a dog and we don’t want bugs. The answer here is no. Stinging Insects . Global diversification increases distribution of many types of microorganisms and pests. Stick insects enjoy being handled, provided you are gentle. If you aren’t sure about the guidelines ask the provider if they must follow shipping regulations and if they have the proper permits. Threatened/Endangered Species List: Species that are in danger of going extinct are put on the threatened/endangered list. Registered Plant Pest List: The USDA Registered Plant Pest list specifies all insects that pose a threat to agriculture and therefore need to be carefully controlled. The truth of the matter, however, is that while bugs are nasty creatures no one wants inside their homes, some of them are very dangerous to animals, particularly dogs. You might have a dog and still not want bugs. Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded organisms. To start your pet ant colony, you’ll need a mated queen either alone or with a few drones. Yes, tarantulas make great pets for people who are prepared to handle these arachnids responsibly. Only 9% of people surveyed said they had a pet that didn’t fall into the dog, cat, fish or bird category. Shutterstock. King and queen ants will have wings — when they reach maturity (in the wild), they will fly off to start a new colony. Lemurs, capuchins, chimpanzees, and baboons all fall into the primate category. They’re low maintenance, though, and will eat just about anything you give them, including cereal, granola or birdseed. While some people may not enjoy insects, there’s no arguing that these creatures are an important part of nature’s balance. These interesting little insects can be found everywhere in the world — except Antarctica — and make fascinating pets, provided you do your research. So, avoid walking your dog or taking your cat for some fresh air during those particular times to avoid the risk of them being bitten. Start off by buying your pet tarantula as captive-bred versus caught in the wild because many methods used to capture wild tarantulas can be environmentally destructive. A praying mantis lifespan is about 6 months, with a great many not living this long. They may make some people squirm, but for many, pet insects are the best pets they could ask for. One of the commonalities of pets that are considered exotic is they pose a threat in the form of disease or physical injury. (Mind blown! Pet scorpions are cheap to feed — they eat crickets and mealworms and can live up to 3 years. While we sleep, the carbon dioxide that we exhale pulls them out of their daytime hiding places. Of course, in the coming days, there are many ways to start to get your pet used to being held. Without them, the planet would be in trouble. Keeping insects as pets can pose a number of serious issues (like infestations and injury), which is why there are regulations involved with ownership. That said, tarantulas are smart, are fun to watch and have distinct personalities. They are also harmless, allergy-free and their food is less expensive than the food of most commons pets. They want food, water, and shelter. According to the California Department of Public Health, while bed bugs prefer humans, they will feed on dogs and cats as well. Give us a call today! Pet bugs are not like puppies and kittens. What ants eat varies by species. Of the hundreds of thousands of insect species in the world, only a small number are actually domesticated. And by that, we mean that your pet cannot bring the insect inside your home because the pest doesn’t like fur. If you’re looking for the ultimate low-maintenance pet, the mealworm is for you. The most popular are cockroaches, locusts, katydids and ants. Their lifespan is usually only a few weeks. Named for their stick-like appearance, stick insects specialize in camouflage. The federal regulations for importing exotic animals are outlined in the Lacey Act. Oh, boy. Be careful when you handle your pet millipede, though. Bed bugs do not live on the pets per se but they might do so when they are unable to find a human victim. Pet owners sometimes have to deal with fleas and ticks in the house. Sorry — here’s another one on this list that’s not actually an insect. Without a reproducing queen, colonies won’t survive. They’ll get their water from the veggies and eat the oats, and all you have to do is change out their oat bed every week or so.