How do YOU keep your crickets?

[MantisFTW]

Me again, with more questions! I feel like a kindergartener trying to solve the hardest math problem.


Well, this one is simple, actually. How do you guys keep and house your crickets? I've read a lot of different things on this. Some say use oatmeal for bedding, some say the bottom of the container needs holes to leak out carbon monoxide, and some say you need a huge aquarium for space depending on the amount being housed.

Im just not sure on whats what here. Sorry for all the questions guys, just trying to do it right the first time. Im very grateful to everyone for helping.

 

[suzi]

I use a rubbermaid container and cut like 6" by 6" squares out on each side and hot glue aluminum screen for proper ventilation. I don't use any thing on the bottom (easier to clean) I put in egg cartons a toilet paper roll, water bites for hydration, dry gut load ( cricket crack ) bug burger and fresh fruits and veggies.

 

[Sikchick341]

I bought a kricket keeper. You can find them at most pet stores and I am super happy with mine.

 

[MantisFTW]

I noticed the ones I they have at my Petco are really small, though. About how many should those house?

Also, I saw that they had some cricket water pillows as well. I was thinking about getting some myself.

 

[fluxlizard]

For crickets I use the smooth nearly clear plastic storage containers you can get at department stores (about 18 gallon will hold 1000). The clear containers keep even small crickets from climbing - sometimes the solid containers allow tiny crickets a foothold.

For water I just use fresh vegetables and fruit.

 

[MantisFTW]

A storage container sounds like a nice idea. I believe that's how Petco keeps their crickets, actually.

 

[camimom]

I use a big xmas tub. you know the red and green ones?

I cut a square out of the lid, and ziptied/glued in some plastic mesh for breathing, and i can keep 1000+ crickets in it just fine. no die off... and it helps that i can leave the lid off to gather bugs to feed without having escapees.

For cleanign i just shake all the bugs off the egg cartons, catch them, and store them in a 10 gallon fish tank while i clean. though i only do this once a month.
in between i just spot clean and remov molding food.

 

[MantisFTW]

I think im going to go with getting an 18 gal tub, they sound the easiest to use.

I don't understand the significance of the egg cartons, though. What are they used for?

 

[camimom]

I think im going to go with getting an 18 gal tub, they sound the easiest to use.

I don't understand the significance of the egg cartons, though. What are they used for?

For them to stand on.
If they dont have anything to crawl on, they essentially crush each other.

 

[JonRich]

For crickets I use the smooth nearly clear plastic storage containers you can get at department stores (about 18 gallon will hold 1000). The clear containers keep even small crickets from climbing - sometimes the solid containers allow tiny crickets a foothold.

For water I just use fresh vegetables and fruit.

I use this also.. Works great! Do like Suzi said and cut a hole in the lid or side and glue or duct-tape mesh over it for a vent.

No substrait make for easy cleaning. Just tilt the bin to one side so all the debris will collect on that one side. Put food down on the other end and wait about 5 minutes(all the crickets will move towards the "clean" side to eat) then you just scoop up the mess on the other end.

I do a 100% cleaning of the bin with antibacterial soap once the crickets are done and before the new batch goes in. Allow the bin to air dry fully.

 

[MantisFTW]

Thank you. All these tips are very helpful.

What if you don't have egg cartons, though? My parents don't get the paper kind, they get styrofoam and I hear that the crickets like to eat it and it could be bad for the cham.

 

[camimom]

Thank you. All these tips are very helpful.

What if you don't have egg cartons, though? My parents don't get the paper kind, they get styrofoam and I hear that the crickets like to eat it and it could be bad for the cham.

If you order in bulk, they should come with cardboard egg cartons.
You can also go to petsmart get a few bugs, and ask for extra cartons.
I think you can also buy them from walmart or something.
If you really cant find egg cartons, i guess fake plants might work. like fake vines.
they just need something to crawl on..
I made that mistake in the beginning.
I only put the small piece of egg carton id gotten from the store, and 3 days later they were all dead... crushed and smushed each other.

 

[JonRich]

For them to stand on.
If they dont have anything to crawl on, they essentially crush each other.

They hide in it too. Ever tried to scoop up crickets from a flat ground? lol

I just pick up the egg crate that they are hiding in and bang it into a cup.!

 

[camimom]

They hide in it too. Ever tried to scoop up crickets from a flat ground? lol

I just pick up the egg crate that they are hiding in and bang it into a cup.!

I use toilet paper rolls. fits perfect into my dusting cup. they crawl in, and i can pick it up, and shake it into the cup.
i used to shake from the egg carton, but then id get random loose ones that were in hidey holes.. bugged the hell out of me.

 

[sophie]

egg cartons

"I don't understand the significance of the egg cartons, though. What are they used for?"
Also they absorb a lot of pee and poo. Crickets can smell like an outhouse when you have a bunch together. They like to cling to the dark underside of the paper carton bumps, (remove lids). Then you only have to change out the spotty cartons for a while.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Overcrowding also leads to cannabalism and high mortality. The egg crates give them more surface area so you need giant containers to house a ton of them. Here is how I keep my crickets:
Keeping Crickets in bulk

 

[Crewdogg15]

Remember when keeping the crickets to feed them well. Carrots tomatoes lettuce are what i feed mine. Thats also how they can get water. If you dont feed them they will eat each other. I put computer paper down so they will crap on it and makes cleaning easier. Also put somewhere where your not going to hear them chirp as bad. Gets annoying fast! Lol

 

[MantisFTW]

Oh wow, thank you. That helps a ton. Much easier to visualize when there are pictures.

 

[Davonat]

I bought a kricket keeper. You can find them at most pet stores and I am super happy with mine.

This is what I use too It comes in 2 sizes.. I use the larger. These are great for if you only have 1 cham or so. I took a Dremel tool and cut away the ends except for about 3/4" all the way around and siliconed aluminum screen to greatly increase fresh air flow... it reduced die offs! Here is the BEST PART!...... They have tubes coming out the top the Crix will hide in... you just slide them out... tap the end into your dusting container and they go rite in!.... NO ESCAPES! I then just place my dusting container into the cage on its side and after a minute or 2 they have all scattered into the cage. I can keep 150-200 in it no problem...... GREAT Product! I feed my crix Bug Burger with some Dinofuel added to it.... I also put water crystals in too. Oh yeah.... The Keeper also comes with food and water trays..... Expect to pay close to 30 bucks...but WORTH IT!!