cricket colony

[javsto]

I was wondering if anyone here can fill me in on how to start a cricket colony? I would prefer to have a dubia colony but my girlfriend completly forbids it to the point that if i even bring just one baby roach into our house then she will totally cut me off to "everything" so i dont want that to happen so im stuck with haveing to raise some smelly crix instead. any info is greatly appreciated. thank you.

 

[laurie]

After about a million failed attempts, I order my crickets online from Ghann's. All I can offer you is good luck.

 

[Old World]

Here's an oldy but goody:
http://www.anapsid.org/crickets.html
But as you seem to know, breeding b. dubias are much easier to do, and no smell. If she really is a brick wall, I guess you can't persuade her. I suggest trying to break down her apprehensions. In your discussions, do not call them roaches! Call them dubias. Talk about how dubias are slow and clumsy (nothing like our dreaded roaches) and would save you a ton of money in feeder costs. Get creative in your dialogue. Sell it! And if she says no way, then leave her!!! JK about the last part

 

[jdog1027]

You have to ask yourself a few questions before you decide to start a cricket colony. First thing to consider is, what size and how many chameleons are you planning on feeding? If you are just an average keeper and have 1, 2 or even just 3 chameleons, it is probably much more practical to just buy your crickets. I used to breed my own crickets, and when I say breed my own crickets, I'm not talking about putting some soil in the bottom of a 10 gallon aquarium and tossing in some adults and hatching a batch of pinheads. Sure, that works, but in order to have a continuous supply, you need dedication and most importantly: SPACE, SPACE and MORE SPACE!!!! I had a storage building that was 144 sq. feet and I used every square inch of it and then some. And even then, the number of crickets I had that reached adulthood and were ready to breed to continue the cycle was modest. My definition of 'colony' is a self sustained breeding operation, meaning you start a batch of egg laying containers at least once a week (I did it every 3 days) so that it is on a schedule, and a certain percentage of them are used as feeders with a good percentage that is set aside to continue the breeding. If you don't set aside enough to be designated as breeders, you'll have a 'crash' and will have to just start over and buy some more breeders. You wont have adult crickets for about about 8-12 weeks depending on the temperature they are kept at. So for 8-12 weeks, you'll need to start a fresh batch of eggs by buying a large number of adult breeders until your very first batch has achieved adulthood. At this point, you will be breeding crickets that you hatched weeks before, and you have a fresh batch reach adulthood once a week. You'll quickly find that it will take up a considerable amount of space, supplies and most importantly, time.


If your goal is to have small crickets for a small chameleon, breeding is something you might want to consider. But keep in mind, you'll still have to buy a fresh batch of adult breeders at least once a week to continue a steady supply of pinheads or whatever size you're shooting for. This process requires only a fraction of the tubs, materials etc. that you will need as opposed to a full scale 'colony'. I'm sorry if I sound pessimistic, but I think there are a lot of misconceptions about how easy sustaining a cricket colony is. Throwing some soil into a tub and adding adults is simple, but rearing them to adulthood and continuing that process is a whole different ball game. I plan on doing a video series on my process in the near future to help people get a visual idea of what they would be up against should they like to tackle this project. I'm in the process of bulding a 200 sq. ft. building solely for the purpose of rearing my own feeders once again. I see a lot of threads on here with people asking advice and questions on crickets breeding, and I'd really like to offer some help and insight into it. I hope I didn't come off as a jerk or discouraging, it's just that it really is a lot of work. I look forward to finishing my video to share with all the great people on this forum.

 

[javsto]

You have to ask yourself a few questions before you decide to start a cricket colony. First thing to consider is, what size and how many chameleons are you planning on feeding? If you are just an average keeper and have 1, 2 or even just 3 chameleons, it is probably much more practical to just buy your crickets. I used to breed my own crickets, and when I say breed my own crickets, I'm not talking about putting some soil in the bottom of a 10 gallon aquarium and tossing in some adults and hatching a batch of pinheads. Sure, that works, but in order to have a continuous supply, you need dedication and most importantly: SPACE, SPACE and MORE SPACE!!!! I had a storage building that was 144 sq. feet and I used every square inch of it and then some. And even then, the number of crickets I had that reached adulthood and were ready to breed to continue the cycle was modest. My definition of 'colony' is a self sustained breeding operation, meaning you start a batch of egg laying containers at least once a week (I did it every 3 days) so that it is on a schedule, and a certain percentage of them are used as feeders with a good percentage that is set aside to continue the breeding. If you don't set aside enough to be designated as breeders, you'll have a 'crash' and will have to just start over and buy some more breeders. You wont have adult crickets for about about 8-12 weeks depending on the temperature they are kept at. So for 8-12 weeks, you'll need to start a fresh batch of eggs by buying a large number of adult breeders until your very first batch has achieved adulthood. At this point, you will be breeding crickets that you hatched weeks before, and you have a fresh batch reach adulthood once a week. You'll quickly find that it will take up a considerable amount of space, supplies and most importantly, time.


If your goal is to have small crickets for a small chameleon, breeding is something you might want to consider. But keep in mind, you'll still have to buy a fresh batch of adult breeders at least once a week to continue a steady supply of pinheads or whatever size you're shooting for. This process requires only a fraction of the tubs, materials etc. that you will need as opposed to a full scale 'colony'. I'm sorry if I sound pessimistic, but I think there are a lot of misconceptions about how easy sustaining a cricket colony is. Throwing some soil into a tub and adding adults is simple, but rearing them to adulthood and continuing that process is a whole different ball game. I plan on doing a video series on my process in the near future to help people get a visual idea of what they would be up against should they like to tackle this project. I'm in the process of bulding a 200 sq. ft. building solely for the purpose of rearing my own feeders once again. I see a lot of threads on here with people asking advice and questions on crickets breeding, and I'd really like to offer some help and insight into it. I hope I didn't come off as a jerk or discouraging, it's just that it really is a lot of work. I look forward to finishing my video to share with all the great people on this forum.

oy! vey talk about shooting down an idea. but i appreciate the honesty, really. I was just thinkg about taking an empty 10 gallon fish tank that I have in storage and buy some adult crickets and throwing them in with some orange slices and fresh veggies and some fluckers cricket food/water crystals and an under tank heat pad and putting that im my closet and waiting....but in the long run i guess ill just have to buy them in bulk every few weeks especially since my little guy is only eating about a half dozen 1/4" cricks a day for the time being. Im thinking about getting some baby dubias and either taking them to work with me or asking a friend to store them in his garage for the time being until i manage to talk her into keeping a few in our place and gradually growing from there.

 

[Citizen Snips]

I've started breeding crix this week. I bought 50 adults and 50 1/4 inch and put them in the same container with water, greens, orange slice, flukers and two containers for breeding. I watched 15 females laying their eggs 2 days ago and put the breeding containers in a separate box. There's plenty of tutorials on Youtube. I plan on breeding Discoid roaches soon, too. I think that's plenty for one chameleon.

 

[EvilLost]

I was wondering if anyone here can fill me in on how to start a cricket colony? I would prefer to have a dubia colony but my girlfriend completly forbids it to the point that if i even bring just one baby roach into our house then she will totally cut me off to "everything" so i dont want that to happen so im stuck with haveing to raise some smelly crix instead. any info is greatly appreciated. thank you.

i agree with some other posters....even IF you get a cricket colony going it is going to SMELL. My gf felt the same way about my dubia colony...but after setting it up in our outside storage shed for 2 months and not having to buy anymore crickets (nor deal with the smell of storing 100-200 crickets at a time) she is very happy

With crickets you will need a MUCH larger colony just to get it established....with dubias I started with 24 females and 6 males in a 64 quart tub (I cut out a hole in the top and put in screen for ventilation after a failed attempt with condensation!) ....6 egg crates and just water/food/leftover veggies.....my colony is at 300-400 within what 3 months? I've been feeding out of it for the past 3 weeks too with no problems...i just couldn't recommend them more!!

Although my gf still wont get near them!


not to mention, dubias cost like $5-10/month to maintain...highly highly highly recommended!!!

 

[sdheli420]

After about a million failed attempts, I order my crickets online from Ghann's. All I can offer you is good luck.

really..ied figure you where a master..i nailed it on my first try..haha

here is my set up..one large bin on the floor, small computer fan for circulation, and heat pad on top for warmth, on top of the heat pad is the hatching chamber, stays nice and warm, i mist both once a day, and have wet papertowels in lids to prevent drowning..i learned this set up from a guy on youtube..the one thing he mentioned that has worked very well, is just how much water crickets like to drink..

as for smell, ive yet to get that raunchy cricket smell yet..i clean the tubs once a week, and use stalks of rosemary inside the bins..seems to be staying very clean and skunk free..

 

[sdheli420]

last few...this pic is my new batch of about 2000 babies, they are gutloading awaiting to be transferred to the big bin , last pic is showing the cheap heat pad..

 

[Justin Ward]

I was wondering if anyone here can fill me in on how to start a cricket colony? I would prefer to have a dubia colony but my girlfriend completly forbids it to the point that if i even bring just one baby roach into our house then she will totally cut me off to "everything" so i dont want that to happen so im stuck with haveing to raise some smelly crix instead. any info is greatly appreciated. thank you.

i would stick with trying to convince her on the dubia...call them papaya beetles and let her know that they dont fly or climb smooth surfaces, also, keep them in a bug tupperware bin, cut a hole in the top and cover with screen for ventilation and tell her she will never see them unless she is watching your cham eat...i hope you can use your gift of gab and win one for the dubia supporters haha

 

[molson101]

Why do you need all this special stuff to breed crickets. Cant you just put them in a bin and let them have eggs. Mine had babys and they were perfectly fine without having to incubate the eggs or get a heat pad. Also you guys use egg cartons that were not used for eggs. How do you get them.

 

[sdheli420]

Why do you need all this special stuff to breed crickets. Cant you just put them in a bin and let them have eggs. Mine had babys and they were perfectly fine without having to incubate the eggs or get a heat pad. Also you guys use egg cartons that were not used for eggs. How do you get them.

sounds like you have good luck..i use a heat pad to speed up there growing process, af for the big set ups, it keeps them from overcrowding(one of the main causes of deaths, or cannibalizm )..just seems to work for me, only reason why i do it..also the egg cartons are from eggs (never any that have had an egg break in them tho) also paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls, and paper towels as the bedding(easy to clean, the cleaner they are the better they are for your animal)

 

[clarkrw3]

i would stick with trying to convince her on the dubia...call them papaya beetles and let her know that they dont fly or climb smooth surfaces, also, keep them in a bug tupperware bin, cut a hole in the top and cover with screen for ventilation and tell her she will never see them unless she is watching your cham eat...i hope you can use your gift of gab and win one for the dubia supporters haha

Yes... they are known as Dubia beetles in my house and have been totally excepted with that name

 

[sdheli420]

Yes... they are known as Dubia beetles in my house and have been totally excepted with that name

i call false advertisement!!! hahaha..you better hope you dont get caught , LMAO

 

[clarkrw3]

i call false advertisement!!! hahaha..you better hope you dont get caught , LMAO

You are correct and I even have some Horseshoe crab "beetles" coming

 

[sdheli420]

You are correct and I even have some Horseshoe crab "beetles" coming

ohh wow, you are a trickster!

 

[kirekameleon]

Dubias!!!

I agree with anyone that says Blaptica Dubias are the way to go. I like that I can have different sizes and they give live birth. I dont even mess with crickets, I just buy them or order them. They are noisy, stink, and a mess. These Blaptica Dubias I have only have a slight smell. I have a 36 gallon tub ($13) Walmart, I bought 20 females ($16), 5 males ($4), cricket food and water cubes($6), and I also bought a whole bunch of juveniles for $.10 each. Some of the mothers were already pregnant and some gave birth later so I have many sizes or will continue to have many sizes. Oh the smell of this 36 gallon tub is no where near the smell of a 64 0z. cup of crickets. I have had them two weeks and really no clean up, I did find one dead. I was told they give birth every 28-30 days but I read last night every 2 months. They sound like they will make a great BEETLE!!! Crickets will get away from you before these will, they can only climb as high as they can stand on their back legs.

kire