Keeping bulk crickets..

[Moose1960]

I decided to buy bulk crickets, instead of the dozen a day, and would like some suggestions on how to look after them. So I bought 1000 last week.At this time I have them in a large rubbermaid about a 20 gal. I burned mega holes in the top for ventilation. Have it packed with egg crates, threw in carrots and potatoes. So everything seems fine, but i noticed that the egg crates are getting soggy and the humidity is high inside there. So tonight I took out all the egg crates and put in fresh ones, thing is it has only been a week, so is this a normal weekly clean. Is there anything else I should be doing/putting in. Should I actually clean out the inside evry now and then? Any suggestions on what you all do will be appreciated. Will they actually breed or can i help them breed?
Thanks in advance.

[reptilez]

Every time i get new crickets i always clean the container they were in, just so it doesnt end up smelling and the other crickets dont die because of anything bad other crix where carrying....(like diseases)

[Kat]

Moose, maybe you need some more ventilation in the container and less water on your veggies! Try cutting the entire middle (or most of it) out of the top and covering it with metal screen , don't use the vinyl screen, they can chew through it, found that out the hard way. Hope this helps!!! :)

[Burmies]

Yes, it is normal to do weekly cleanings. Also you should try putting in some apple slices for them. Try putting them in an area of your house that is not all that hot.

Burmies

[fr0glet]

I keep all my insects on a substrate of chicken laying mash. It's a total diet that definately ensures my herps are getting lots of vitamins from their food. I buy it at the local farmer's supply store, CHEAP. Works great!

[Jaylyn]

I keep my crix in big rubbermaid containers (the ones on wheels). No more than 1000 large crix in each one. No lid - just make sure they can't jump out from the highest egg carton. I order 10,000 crix a month and the escapees are minimal. I keep them on a substrate of alfalfa hay. They get the James/Lopez/Wells dry gutload and fresh fruits and veggies as a source of water.

I completely clean out each container once a week. Dump the substrate and clean with Virkon (disinfectant) - it does take a bit of time, but clean insects are vital to your animal's health.

Jaylyn

[Blackwidow69]

:cool: Ok this is how i keep my crickets.. i use a 29 gal long tank with screen lid, for bedding i use papper towel on the bottom then i put a nice layer of western fir potting bark by Shultz, i use egg cartons for them to crawl on, and some toilet paper tubes, i also keep a small container of peatmoss mix with potting soil un fertalized kind lightly moistend so they can lay there eggs in it, as for food thats right chicken laying mash is the best to use and i also use crushed- powderd dry dog food and crushed cereal, for water i use ornage slices and apple slices plus i have a small jar lid with water in it.. they get veggies and fruits, leaf lettuce and i only give them more of that when they have eatting it all or if it goes bad. I have no probs with this set up at all.. and have raised lots and lots of crickets.. is alot easier to do this then to buy them all the time.. raising the babies is very easy to do.. and they grow at a real fast rate, in few weeks you can have almost adult crix.. :)

[Jaylyn]

Chicken laying mash is chuck full of synthetic vitamins - which can build up in your herp's system and cause organ damage (especially Vitamin A). The mash is meant to feed laying hens for a short life span (1-3 years). The mash is also high in phosphates which counteracts calcium utilization. Not what your herp needs. Better to feed the feeders foods that are rich in vitamins in their natural forms (eg. carrots for Vitamin A).

Jaylyn

[Blackwidow69]

:cool: There are diffrent types of laying mash that you can use.. or you can make your own, put into a blender , dry high protien dog food, cracked corn, crimped oats, alfalfa pellets crushed oyster shell, mullet seeds, blend it all up till its a fine powder and you got a home made mash, with no extra synthetic crap in it..

[scott hough]

we use pine shavings as substrate for our crickets and don't have any problems with excess moisture.
... though i do like Jaylyn's idea of alfalfa hay