What Is a Cleanup Crew and Why Are They Important?
In reptile keeping, a cleanup crew (Abbreviated CUC) is a group of beneficial invertebrates—usually isopods and springtails—added to bioactive enclosures to help break down waste and keep the habitat healthy.
Here’s what they do and why they matter!
What a Cleanup Crew Actually Does
Cleanup crews can help handle maintenance that you don't want to do daily, by:
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Breaking down feces, shed skin, and leftover food
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Consuming organics that lead to mold and fungus
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Help to convert waste into nutrients plants can use
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Breaking down decaying plant matter
They don’t replace spot-cleaning entirely but they do massively reduce it!
Common Cleanup Crew Members
Most bioactive setups use a combination of:
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Springtails – Very tiny, control the breakdown of organics that would otherwise turn to mold
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Isopods – The heavy lifters that eat solid waste and leaf litter
Some keepers may opt to include less common cleaning species depending on habitat and species, such as:
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Darkling beetles, roaches, or worms – Added for larger enclosures, arid habitats, or higher waste output
The exact species depends on the humidity and temperature of your enclosure, and the species you keep.
Why Cleanup Crews Matter for Reptile Welfare
A functioning cleanup crew supports reptile husbandry by:
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Reducing the build up of harmful bacteria
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Maintaining cleaner substrate
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Supporting natural foraging behaviors in species that consume small invertebrates
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Creating a more stable, self-sustaining ecosystem
Creating a setup is as close to your reptile's natural habitat is impossible without including beneficial invertebrates!
Do You Need A Cleanup Crew?
If you’re aiming for bioactive, enriched, or naturalistic reptile care, a cleanup crew is NOT optional.
Although they are small and often unseen, the clean up crew is doing constant work behind the scenes to keep your reptile’s home cleaner, healthier, and more natural.
