Sir Spiral Tail
New Member
How do you guys clear out the dead crickets? I have a ton of dead ones in this container, and cant think of an easy means to get them out...besides by hand of course. What does everyone do?
dead crickets...
- Thread starter Sir Spiral Tail
- Start date
GooglezNvincent
New Member
i move all the live ones to a dif container, then spray the gross container down, soap and scrub it, rinse and jobs done!
You can use anything, if its a tub just make sure you have a lid cuz most tubs crickets can crawl out of.
You can use anything, if its a tub just make sure you have a lid cuz most tubs crickets can crawl out of.
Shake off the egg cartons, paper towel holders etc. so all you have is a container of live crickets, dead crickets, cricket waste, and old food. Have a second large plastic bin, tilt the container down into the big bin.
As the live crickets begin to come to the edge, flick them into the bin before they reach the edge and jump clear of the clean bin (This is why a big clean bin is needed).
As you shake the bin and tilt it, live crickets will come into the flick zone. You will have to hand pick the final ones who are buried in the junk, but once you get used to how to shake the bin, 90% will be "flicked, not picked."
Suggestion:
Do this outside or in an area where escapees can't get under something quickly....
Nick
As the live crickets begin to come to the edge, flick them into the bin before they reach the edge and jump clear of the clean bin (This is why a big clean bin is needed).
As you shake the bin and tilt it, live crickets will come into the flick zone. You will have to hand pick the final ones who are buried in the junk, but once you get used to how to shake the bin, 90% will be "flicked, not picked."
Suggestion:
Do this outside or in an area where escapees can't get under something quickly....
Nick
jeanjacket812
New Member
Today for example I got 500 crix in and not suprisingly 250 were dead so I just shook the deads into the corner and use a bent card to scoop them out to the trash.
kpritch17
New Member
I usually get enough crix to last about a week. By the time I have to get more, there are some dead but not too many. When crix die, they emit a gas that kills other crickets, so I would suggest making sure that your cricket keeper is well ventilated.
I use a plastic tub that my boyfriend cut 4 big squares(almost the whole sides out of each side) and replaced the plastic with screen. This way, the whole container is well ventilated and the crickets can climb on the sides. Also, I keep a regular house light on them for a little heat. I have had great success with this system and less crix die, so I don't have to clean them out as often!
Of course, if half of them are dead when you receive them, this method won't really help
I use a plastic tub that my boyfriend cut 4 big squares(almost the whole sides out of each side) and replaced the plastic with screen. This way, the whole container is well ventilated and the crickets can climb on the sides. Also, I keep a regular house light on them for a little heat. I have had great success with this system and less crix die, so I don't have to clean them out as often!
Of course, if half of them are dead when you receive them, this method won't really help
Sir Spiral Tail
New Member
Right on, thats a good idea. Thanks for the input guys!
skully23
New Member
I use this..
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41n03vUcYZL._SL500_AA280_.jpg
It really helps alot. I got it two years ago when I use to want to catch flies for my frogs. I don't know where you can get it now but I got it from walmart during the summer.
All I do is suck up the live ones and place them in another container. Then take everything out and dump all the stuff into trash and re do everything.
Makes everything so much easier
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41n03vUcYZL._SL500_AA280_.jpg
It really helps alot. I got it two years ago when I use to want to catch flies for my frogs. I don't know where you can get it now but I got it from walmart during the summer.
All I do is suck up the live ones and place them in another container. Then take everything out and dump all the stuff into trash and re do everything.
Makes everything so much easier
DragonLady
New Member
I use this..
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41n03vUcYZL._SL500_AA280_.jpg
It really helps alot. I got it two years ago when I use to want to catch flies for my frogs. I don't know where you can get it now but I got it from walmart during the summer.
All I do is suck up the live ones and place them in another container. Then take everything out and dump all the stuff into trash and re do everything.
Makes everything so much easier
Okay, cleaning cricket bins is definitely not my most enjoyable thing to do, but I do it for the love of my chams (and beadie). You got my curiousity up and I found the bug vacuum on Amazon for $14.99. Couldn't resist!! Thanks for the tip!
ijmccollum
New Member
I have two modified plastic bins (lid has screen for ventilation) and vermiculite on bottom (helps keep things dry and poos filter down to very bottom), egg crates tipped on sides. One bin is always empty for new crix when they come in. New arrivals get placed in empty bin while other is cleaned and new vermiculite put in. Then live crix are herded in from one bin to the other. Of course Pete (my trusted beardie sidekick) always assists with those that break from the sorting.
You have heard of fat Tuesdays? We have fat Thursdays.
You have heard of fat Tuesdays? We have fat Thursdays.
DJ Richey Rich
New Member
I use this..
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41n03vUcYZL._SL500_AA280_.jpg
It really helps alot. I got it two years ago when I use to want to catch flies for my frogs. I don't know where you can get it now but I got it from walmart during the summer.
All I do is suck up the live ones and place them in another container. Then take everything out and dump all the stuff into trash and re do everything.
Makes everything so much easier
lol I seen them in the toy section at walmart they also have bug catching nets
DragonLady
New Member
I had to send an update! I took the different methods people use and rolled them into one and cut my cleaning (new shipment) method down by less than half the time it was taking me. When I order, I always get three boxes of three different sizes in, so I spend a lot of time on cleaning, etc. I use the "shake down" method to get them in a corner and let the live ones flow into an extra clean bigger tub. I bought the Bug Vacuum on Amazon for $15 and it totally rocks! I suck up the stragglers with the vacuum and put them in the clean bin, then I can completely clean their "living" bin put their food/water crystals and egg carton back in and them just dump the whole lot into their appropriate bin. I got three boxes of crickets in last night and using this method, I cut my time down by less than half. Even hubby was impressed!
Big thanks to everyone who shared their methods!
Big thanks to everyone who shared their methods!
laurie
Retired Moderator
You need to get your crickets from our new sponsor Ghann. All my crickets come from then and arrive healthy, alive and happy to Montana, even in winter.
Sir Spiral Tail
New Member
Excellent, thank you. I am starting a roach colony as well in hopes to spend less on food over time
ShaunaLynnA
New Member
How does the vacuum work for you? I think I may consider going this route as well with my bugs!
tglassburner
New Member
I like it!
I have the "bug vac" I got it from walmart for $12. I like it it works really well for sucking out the dead crickets as well as easily collecting live ones. My 5 yr old son now loves helping me feed "his Karma" "little creatures". It does not work to well on live dubias but it works well for their poo an sheds, same as my hissers. I bought a second one just so I do not contaminate the one I use to suck out live ones. I reccomend it.
I have the "bug vac" I got it from walmart for $12. I like it it works really well for sucking out the dead crickets as well as easily collecting live ones. My 5 yr old son now loves helping me feed "his Karma" "little creatures". It does not work to well on live dubias but it works well for their poo an sheds, same as my hissers. I bought a second one just so I do not contaminate the one I use to suck out live ones. I reccomend it.
DragonLady
New Member
I am really impressed with it. I don't think I had to actually touch one cricket because the vac sucked them up. The batteries that come with it aren't the best, but I changed them out after using them with my 1/4" cricks, and it worked even better.
