Banded Crickets

[pssh]

I really like these new banded crickets, but mulberryfarms isn't selling them anymore, and Ghann's shipping prices are pretty high for me since I live in CA. Does anyone know of any other places that sell banded crickets? Preferably with reasonable shipping prices and/or in California.

 

[Kent67]

Good thread; I really like the bandeds, too. My order from Ghann's this week had 3/4" Acheta and the smaller sizes were banded (whatever their Genus is, I can't keep track!) I've heard from one of the farm owners in So Cal that Acheta is the only species that doesn't breed itself out, at least out of the 7 replacement species they tried, which has me a bit concerned about not getting all banded this week. Interested in learning who else is selling them....

 

[JohnDoe]

Whats the difference between the banded cricket or house cricket

 

[danTHAman152000]

I'd be interested in them as well.

Love the banded... they are quick to move up the screen toward the lights and easily zapped.

The black crickets I get now (from Rainbow; $15 for 500 shipped) are always hanging at the bottom of the cage. Now I have been free ranging and cup feeding so it's not so much of an issue. Mean little bugs though... I can feel them biting the tongs when I grab them.

A couple months ago, a local store was selling banded but were $7 bucks for 100. I would like to know who ships banded for a decent price in CA.

Until then, I am happy to buy from Rainbow. They are less than 10 miles from my house, so I can avoid paying shipping (although I found paying the shipping was more convenient than driving through the mean streets of Compton). And their customer service from the manager was great. Oh and 75 cent hissers were a plus.

 

[Kent67]

Love the banded... they are quick to move up the screen toward the lights and easily zapped.

The pinheads also seem to be the hardiest of all the species I've tried.

 

[tkilgour]

I really like these new banded crickets, but mulberryfarms isn't selling them anymore, and Ghann's shipping prices are pretty high for me since I live in CA. Does anyone know of any other places that sell banded crickets? Preferably with reasonable shipping prices and/or in California.

Pm me and I will send you to the right person at ghanns. They will give you wholesale pricing since you have a spiffy bugs web site. Ghanns will take care of you on price and you will spend far less.

 

[camimom]

I think reptilefood.com uses the banded crickets..
If not, the crickets are still really really good. they jump so much and are so much healthier. IMO.

 

[deadhd5]

I have had a lot success breeding banded crickets, they are very hardy. When raised on quality food, they really give chams a good hunt!

 

[Psychobunny]

I like the brown banded cricks as well and will start breeding them instead of the nasty attitude black field cricks I raise now.

I have been getting mine from Ghanns, but lots of places will mix the species, so if you order 1000 cricks, you are likely to get a mix of at least 2 different species even from the best farms.

Something I learned about brown banded cricks, they are not nearly as hardy as advertised and need high temps.
I just received a order of 1500 1/2'' banded cricks from Ghanns and every single one of them was DEAD ON ARRIVAL!!
They had only been sitting on my front pourch for an hour, and they had a heat pack. But it was a cold and windy day.

I have been buying cricks through the mail since the early 1980's and even in the bitter winter, have never received a 100% DOA.

If you live in a cold place, you've been warned!

I got screwed out of $37.00, so be careful and plan well before you order.

 

[pssh]

I like the brown banded cricks as well and will start breeding them instead of the nasty attitude black field cricks I raise now.

I have been getting mine from Ghanns, but lots of places will mix the species, so if you order 1000 cricks, you are likely to get a mix of at least 2 different species even from the best farms.

Something I learned about brown banded cricks, they are not nearly as hardy as advertised and need high temps.
I just received a order of 1500 1/2'' banded cricks from Ghanns and every single one of them was DEAD ON ARRIVAL!!
They had only been sitting on my front pourch for an hour, and they had a heat pack. But it was a cold and windy day.

I have been buying cricks through the mail since the early 1980's and even in the bitter winter, have never received a 100% DOA.

If you live in a cold place, you've been warned!

I got screwed out of $37.00, so be careful and plan well before you order.

Really? I keep mine at about 60 degrees and they do alright. I don't know about temps closer to freezing, but they do just fine at 60-65 and I have hardly and die off for the 2-4 weeks or so that I have them.

Edit: I emailed reptilefood.com to ask which species they sell. I checked the shipping prices and they are not quite as high as at ghanns, but it is still a bit high to ship here.

 

[Psychobunny]

Really? I keep mine at about 60 degrees and they do alright. I don't know about temps closer to freezing, but they do just fine at 60-65 and I have hardly and die off for the 2-4 weeks or so that I have them.

Wow! mine would die at that temp!!
What is you humidity? Maybe that has something to do with it??!!

 

[pssh]

It's pretty low in my house. I prefer the keep my crickets and other non-breeding insects pretty cool to prevent them from growing too much before I use them all.

 

[Psychobunny]

Oh, the bottom of my crick bin is damp from the high RH I need to keep 4 my chams. Poop and junck is sticking to the floor it's so humid!!!!!

I just put a heating pad under them to help keep it drier.

Hope that helps.
I had them in my basement where it's low 60's.
Every day I would see several dead cricks, and also several which were lethargic or spastic, near death.

I have much better luck here in MD in the Spring and Summer.

 

[pssh]

Well, mulberryfarms said that they are now suffering from the cricket virus that the brown ones had. If I am remembering correctly, the brown crickets would become paralyzed and kick their legs like that. Maybe that is what's happening?

 

[Psychobunny]

I moved the crick bin to my ketchen from the basement, which is a big
difference in temp.
They are now doing much better, so I think they were simply too cold.

Guess I will have to keep them upper part of house all winter!!

 

[Psychobunny]

Well, mulberryfarms said that they are now suffering from the cricket virus that the brown ones had. If I am remembering correctly, the brown crickets would become paralyzed and kick their legs like that. Maybe that is what's happening?

I didnt think anyone was still selling the virus cricks.
I do know the Ghann's had switched species twice and now sell only the brown banded cricks which are said to be virus free.
These cricks dont get as large as the black field cricks, but they are way
better to work with; less agressive, quieter, smell better!!

They are also better jumpers and can jump clear out of a tall storage bin.

 

[biffle]

I've had good luck with Armstrong.

They ship fine as long as I get the "winter packaging"

Jason

 

[pssh]

I thought armstong had the black crickets? I really dont want those.

Mulberryfarms is no longer selling banded crickets because they caught the cricket virus according to the website.

Reptilefood sells the brown crickets.

 

[tony19]

So are these banded cricks some sort of cross breed

 

[bradley]

Banded crickets are quite readily available here in the UK. they are the cheapest to buy out of the three species we have which are banded, silent and black.

The bandeds seem to gutload really well making them a great choice for reptiles. They don't get as big and as meaty as the others though meaning you have to offer a few more. They breed well too.