Got A Bad Batch Of Crickets
- Thread starter bloftis1
- Start date
bloftis1
Avid Member
Well, I got 70 at first, from petco which was very stupid on my end. But probably 30-35 of them died off! It was insane and plus my cham loooves them. So we have this shop here in Fl called lazyhbait, I can get 500 banded crickets instead of normal crix for $12! But with all those crickets dying I was like wtf! And I honestly don't think they actually gave me 70 crickets there's no way.
the box of 500... are we talking all dead? If so, that's probably the heat. If you lost half, that's still alot cheaper than buying them at a pet shop. If you have a local owned pet shop, they may order crickets for you. I dont remember what our local shop charges for 500 but I think it was under $20.
Rainbow Mealworms charges $4.50 for 200, $10.50 for 500. I only get crickets if I am ordering something else due to shipping costs. and shipping cost actually goes down if your order is over a certain amount... I think it was $15.
bloftis1
Avid Member
No, I'm going to order the 500, ship them with a little cool pad. But yeah! They have reaaally nice prices here except for the petco, petsmart, etc.
Chameleon Mike
Chameleon Enthusiast
Just got my first shipment this week from them. Pinheads and 1/8". 1000 of each and not one dead. The price of shipping is expensive but they don't charge much for the crickets so it offsets the cost. Plus all were alive.
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
@Chameleon Mike yup, I would have them for weeks and weeks with not a single death. They gutload great too. One other thing, they never smell. I could have 1000 and all I'd smell is the cardboard.
CharlesYamaguchi
Established Member
If you are on the west coast, there seem to be no issue with Rainbow and many people prefer them as they are based in California. If you live on the east cost or getting that way, there seem to be problems arising from the shipping. If you live on the east coast, Ghanns is the way to go as they are based in Georgia. They also serve the Midwest and definitely south the best. I order wholesale, or my assistant orders wholesale for me through them regularly. They test positive for no parasites! They are very clean. Never any gnats in with the crickets as I have seen from many others. I have never gotten parasites from feeding Ghanns feeder insects, and they always live well.
Pet stores are often given adult crickets. Meaning they are older. Despite what people think, crickets do not live all that long! haha So adults, probably live maybe a week or two if lucky after purchase. Sometimes I have thought they do this intentionally to keep people coming back. I could be wrong. Right or wrong, the quality at most pet stores is sub-par anyway.
Pet stores are often given adult crickets. Meaning they are older. Despite what people think, crickets do not live all that long! haha So adults, probably live maybe a week or two if lucky after purchase. Sometimes I have thought they do this intentionally to keep people coming back. I could be wrong. Right or wrong, the quality at most pet stores is sub-par anyway.
CharlesYamaguchi
Established Member
I am based in Michigan now and was previously in Chicago and no problems. There was an issue I think ONCE and it was cleared up quickly and we have not had a similar issue again. 
This is with Ghanns for your reference.
This is with Ghanns for your reference.
timw1
Chameleon Enthusiast
Recently I had a batch (500) that died rather quickly. They were sub-adult. I never buy adult, but buy sub-adult 3/4 inch. My last batch had a major die off within a week. I tried a different supplier and that's what happened. Ghanns has always been great, and I should of never strayed. I have had great luck with Rainbow as well.
insectovore
Established Member
I've had good luck with Bassets so thats another one worth looking into if anyone runs into issues with their current supplier. Bare in mind that if there is too much moisture a the chances of a cricket die off will skyrocket. They have to have water to drink from but you otherwise want to keep them dry. I've seen people dump a huge number of veggies in all at once and then promptly experience die offs, it doesnt take a lot. Just add moist feeds in a little at a time and contain them. Make sure the container has significant ventilation, keep the cardboard away from the moisture sources and dry. Some from a couple orders back are adults and breeding right now as we speak. I would recommend to hold back a few and breed them so you can get some free crix to cut down on costs, too.
Last edited:
bloftis1
Avid Member
Wesley chapel
dshuld
Chameleon Enthusiast
Wesley chapel
Ah gotcha, I was going to say if you're on the 19 side it's well worth the trip down to Pinellas County Reptiles for feeders that you don't want to breed. I live on the New Port Richey/ Holiday line but work down on St. Pete Beach. I have a standing order for crickets every Tuesday to grab on my way home lol.
bloftis1
Avid Member
Sweet! I've heard about them they had gooood prices on the site, I can still swing over there and pick up some feeders from there soon
dshuld
Chameleon Enthusiast
Sweet! I've heard about them they had gooood prices on the site, I can still swing over there and pick up some feeders from there soon
Yeah, their crickets come from Armstrong. They are house crickets but for $16.99 for 1000 locally I'm ok with it lol. Their silks come from coastal and are usually cups of 100 for $11.99, in store at least. I haven't figured out where they get their horns yet but there is typically 15 to 20 of them for $11.99. Soon as my moths start to hatch and breed I won't need them for horns though.
Similar threads
