Buying Crickets in Bulk?

[AZJ0SH]

Currently I get all my crix from petsmart, I am spending $10-$15 a week on crickets and I think it might be cheaper to get them in bulk instead?

What would make a good cricket keeper, for say 600 crickets? I would like to be able to just order once a month, and at my chams current rate (20/day) I would need ~600 crix a month.

Would it be better to order every few weeks or once a month? And what can I do to ensure they don't all die after a week? I have a ton of cardboard eggcrate saved up for this, anything else I need?

 

[heartben]

you will definitely save money this way. i know they arent a sponsor or anything and maybe you already have a place picked out but i always recommend premiumcrickets.com just because my experience with them was very positive and i will definitely reorder. i think i spent like 20 bucks for 500 crickets shipped 2nd day i think? there were definitely fewer than 10 deaths (if any honestly)

as for size of tote.. no idea, i know crickets tend to like their space more than roaches for example so the bigger the better probably (dont quote me on that)

however in my experience with crickets so far i had a very high mortality rate (something like 40 percent probably) - i suspect this was from being too cold. i had them in a spare room that is usually very cool and i didnt think about it so... next time, i will add some sort of heat (likely just a spare lamp over the lid or something) and i think that will solve it. so depending on where you want to keep them, temps are something to consider.

another thing to consider is size - if you do plan on ordering once a month youll want to order smaller because they will be growing while you have them.

other things you might consider is - another smaller tote (like 10 gallon ish?) for separating small batches that you plan on feeding and can gut load so you know for sure they have been eating good stuff. some people say put the crickets you want to feed the day before in another container but i prefer to put a few days in at a time just because its easier for me.

so yeah. good luck!

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

A tote this size will hold up to 1000 crickets at a time as long as there are lots of egg cartons/toilet paper rolls. Ventilation is the key because they'll die off quick without it in my experience. Ordering them a little younger than you need is the best way to go so they don't outgrow your cham or grow their stupid little wings and chirp 24/7. As long as they're kept at room temp with good ventilation and always have some kind of hydration I have few to none die before I want them to.

 

[AZJ0SH]

A tote this size will hold up to 1000 crickets at a time as long as there are lots of egg cartons/toilet paper rolls. Ventilation is the key because they'll die off quick without it in my experience. Ordering them a little younger than you need is the best way to go so they don't outgrow your cham or grow their stupid little wings and chirp 24/7. As long as they're kept at room temp with good ventilation and always have some kind of hydration I have few to none die before I want them to.

What are the dimensions of that tote? I can't really judge the size from the picture? Thanks.

 

[Justin Ward]

you also need to factor in that crickets grow about 1/8" a week, so a month (4 weeks) your crix could go from 1/4" to 3/4"...i would say try 500 out and see how that works for you...adjust from there if needed...im not sure where you live, but i live in NC and got mine from Lazy H Bait in LaBelle, FL...call them up and talk to Brad, he will find out the best way to get them to you at the best price... i was paying $20 shipped for 1000 and they were all uniform in size and had very few die off...hope this helps

 

[Elizadolots]

Buy much smaller than your chameleon can handle...you can feed more early on. They get big!!! If you buy a whole bunch and manage their care, they get big....so, you need to have them come to you small. That's especially true if, like me, you have smaller chameleons.

 

[AZJ0SH]

Right now my cham is eating 1/2" crix, so I might order 1/4" and just double feed until they grow.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

What are the dimensions of that tote? I can't really judge the size from the picture? Thanks.

About 8"x14"x8.5"

 

[AZJ0SH]

About 8"x14"x8.5"

Alright thanks, I am going to head to Walmart today and try and find a tote. I already have some window screen for airflow, how did you attach yours? Would a hot glue gun work?

Seems like this would be a lot easier, and more affordable, than buying 50 at a time every few days.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Yep hot glue gun is the way to go. Just make sure it's metal screen not fiberglass. If it's the fiberglass stuff they'll eat right through it and be everywhere...trust me...

 

[Elizadolots]

I did mine in a 5 gallon paint bucket. I think it cost $7 with the lid.

My husband used his hole saw to cut the ventilation holes, the screen (which, amazingly, we just had on hand...) is held on with duct tape.

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

I'm going to start buying bulk, mostly because my pet stores have pinhead sized "larges" and they're 15 dollars for 4 dozen, also factoring in that I LOVE CHOPPING HOLES IN THINGS! Busting down a brick wall in my house to create a workout room was very, very, very fun.