Crickets Freakin' Stink! any suggestions on de-oderizing them?

[bugman]

I want to buy my crickets in bulk because it makes good fiscal sense with so many reptiles to feed but about after 4-5 days the crickets really stink! I clean and they still stink!! am I doing something wrong? they are in a large container with screen ventilation on all four sides and top.

 

[Goggles]

I think the simple answer is get some dubia roaches.

 

[VeiledOwner87]

do you have a big bin for a big amount of crickets? is the bin humid and condensed with moisture? and how do you clean? i never have a problem with cricket smell, and i keep the bin in my bedroom

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

Feed them lots of oranges.

 

[ghettomike]

feed them car air fresheners then they will smell like vanilla or berries. haha jk I only keep a small amount of crix and they usually start stinkin pretty quick too even though i keep em fairly clean. I second going with dubias, i have a decent size colony going now and they dont smell at all.

 

[canzoman]

I use Vanilla scented by GLADE. Works nicely.

 

[Texas Ranger]

I have mine in a 10 gal glass tank with a screen lid. I clean it once a week with a bleach/water mixture. Then wipe out with a wet paper towel. And put new toliet paper rolls in when I clean it. It keeps the smell down for me.

 

[elrojo]

Anything you can do to get humidity down and air-flow up helps. Also, remove old food/dead crickets daily. My cricket bin is right beside my computer, so that's always motivation to keep them clean! Bulk buying is the only way to go if you have a larger collection.

 

[Garrett]

Remove the dead crickets daily, and add a 75W reflector light over the cage on a timer (just like your chameleons.)
The heat will help dry out the cage and keep the crickets warm, so less bacteria and less dead crickets I live in Seattle, and have this problem BAD if I don't use the light. Room temp is too cold for crickets

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Feed them lots of oranges.

I second that. Ive noticed that oranges help with the smell tremendously. plus its full of moisture so you get that added benefit.

 

[VeiledOwner87]

I use Vanilla scented by GLADE. Works nicely.

what do you mean you use Vanilla scented by GLADE? you shouldnt be using any type of chemicals around your chameleons or its feeders what so ever. no fresheners, no pledge, no windex. no nothing. please clairify what you mean by this

 

[tdotcham]

thats wierd, my crickets never die and the room temperature is around 70 now that its fall. I keep around 50-100 in a 12x6 inch bin with a mesh lid. it doesnt really smell bad.

however i find it wierd that they never chirp..

 

[Olimpia]

I've solved the problem myself just recently - Aflalfa! I was told it was an excellent dry gutload so I went out to get myself some bags of it, and since I've been throwing handfuls of it into the bins I find that the smell has been all but eliminated. I personally love the smell of alfalfa, so it's an escellent substitute for nasty cricket stench. It's been great for my dubias and superworms as well. And everyone seems to love eating it along with the other aray of goodies I throw in.

 

[reptileman1]

Member

The keys to keeping crickets are warmth and circulation. Crickets are best kept at or near 92 degrees F and DRY. Also, scratch the sides of the plastic container with a rough sandpaper to within 2 or 3" of the top of the container. The crickets will use these mini gouges to spread themselves out in the cage and minimize overcrowding and maximize air circulation. Also, use the egg crates that were used in shipping in the cage to give them hiding and climbing spots. DON'T stack them too high or they will use the crates to jump out!

 

[DragonLady]

I put a layer of oatmeal down on the bottom of the bin and it definitely cuts the stench way down and helps keep the container dry. I also clean out the dead crickets at least every other day - sometimes every day.

 

[Elizadolots]

what do you mean you use Vanilla scented by GLADE? you shouldnt be using any type of chemicals around your chameleons or its feeders what so ever. no fresheners, no pledge, no windex. no nothing. please clairify what you mean by this

I think that was a joke....

thats wierd, my crickets never die and the room temperature is around 70 now that its fall. I keep around 50-100 in a 12x6 inch bin with a mesh lid. it doesnt really smell bad.

however i find it wierd that they never chirp..

I think if you find a source of healthy crickets you have less die off and so less smell. However, the virus infect crickets never get old enough to chirp, so I'm confused...

I've solved the problem myself just recently - Aflalfa! I was told it was an excellent dry gutload so I went out to get myself some bags of it, and since I've been throwing handfuls of it into the bins I find that the smell has been all but eliminated. I personally love the smell of alfalfa, so it's an escellent substitute for nasty cricket stench. It's been great for my dubias and superworms as well. And everyone seems to love eating it along with the other aray of goodies I throw in.

Do you know if Timothy hay is as good? We always have some for the guinea pigs.

 

[Olimpia]

Do you know if Timothy hay is as good? We always have some for the guinea pigs.

I don't, but I think you can ask Sandrachameleon. She seems to know absolutely everything about all gut loading food!

 

[JohnnyD]

Small shop vac attachment to get the dead ones out. I don't think live crickets in a clean bin stink at all. Be careful not to suck up the live ones though, it can be tricky.

 

[cosmic charlie]

I have a 4 in computer fan blowing through the side and out the other. plus I have the top ventilated also. I have never had a problem with an odor.

 

[JasonSinger]

How about using baking soda in the room you keep them? I keep mine under the sink in my kitchen and have noticed a smell so I am going to try baking soda. Also, try separating them out into smaller containers so they arent all climbing on eachother and such. I noticed that would cut down a lot on the smell.

I haven't heard the orange theory myself, but it sounds like it is worth giving it a shot.

Jason