Okay so I just ordered up 500 1/4 inch crickets from my normal supplier. Have had no issues in the past with my crickets from them. My concern is I've had the 1/4 crickets for about 4 days and all of the sudden about 60-80 crickets just died off or are in the process of dieing as we speak. And it seems like quite a few of the other ones are becoming sluggish. I don't get it. I have a separate bin with 3/4 inch crickets in there for my Adult female Nosy Be, and they were fed the same dandelion greens and they are having no problems.( dandelion greens WERE store bought and rinsed) I realize a certain amount of a natural die off is normal with crickets but 80 seems excessive in a 8 hour period. Has anyone had this problem? Need some thoughts on if I should toss these guys and sanitize the bin. Don't really want to feed my juvenile Male Nosy Be something that could make him sick. Maybe I am being a spaz about this and its just a natural phenomenon. I am really good about cleaning my crickets cages, I do it everyday. Basically I keep the floor of their bin spotless as possible. I do not use any harsh chemicals when I do this. I just can't figure out what might be making them die.
Cricket Die Off?
- Thread starter lojack13
- Start date
KarmaChameleon1337
Avid Member
There's been some stories about a disease some crickets have come with that makes them spontaneously die quickly. It could be that, though rare, or that they don't have enough space and kill eachother.
Hmmm, I guess I did hear about some sort of disease that they could catch. Just wondered if that was an insect specific disease or if it could jump species to my Chams. Not enough space definetly wouldn't be an issue with my crickets. They have plenty of room.
I have had a ton of mass die-offs lately (infuriating really) that I'm pretty positive are related to store bought produce pesticide usage. I don't know why all of a sudden this is a major problem because before about a year ago I never had a problem with using store bought greens. So I have 2 theories: 1. Producers are having to use more pesticides to try to increase production to keep up with the losses they are suffering with the organic movement, 2. When the cricket virus happened we lost some genetic diversity in the cricket population that has now led to crickets being more susceptible to pesticides.
I've noticed even some greens labeled organic have devastating effects on my bugs...not sure what to think about that. But when I was able to get dandelions from my yard all the time during the spring I never had any die-offs. Then when it was too hot for dandelions I had to start buying greens again and had hundreds die overnight after putting those in. I've started soaking all the greens in water for a few hours, changing the water a few times, to minimize residues and that has helped.
Anyone else seeing this?
I've noticed even some greens labeled organic have devastating effects on my bugs...not sure what to think about that. But when I was able to get dandelions from my yard all the time during the spring I never had any die-offs. Then when it was too hot for dandelions I had to start buying greens again and had hundreds die overnight after putting those in. I've started soaking all the greens in water for a few hours, changing the water a few times, to minimize residues and that has helped.
Anyone else seeing this?
Swayne8998
Established Member
I'm sorry but I didn't notice you were from CO! Great state huh?
Anyways I always get at least 5 out of the 20 I get at a time that die. Do crickets chirp when they feel stressed or upset?
Wow, I actually haven't had problems until now, but the pesticide thing is a very good possibility. Probably try and soak my greens a lot more thoughrougly from now on. I feed my crickets apples a lot and I remove the skin because I know those are covered in wax and sprays.
Swayne8998
Established Member
I have an organic fruit and veggie cleaner literally called "Fruit and Veggie Wash," made by Earth-Friendly Products. It doesn't use anything harmful that I'm aware of in the formula.
Just moved here a few weeks ago and so far loving it!!
I'm pretty sure crickets chirp because they're just too stupid to do anything else. That and they are trying to make me lose my mind when hundreds of them are going at the same time. That's why I order them young.
KarmaChameleon1337
Avid Member
I think they chirp just so we'll rage and knock the container over... one escaped and has been hiding a place I can't get it, nonstop chirping. I hear chirping in my sleep now.
Swayne8998
Established Member
Haha. Yeah I just notice that they start to chirp when there are like two left, there's crap all over the bottom and all their buddies are dead.
And also welcome to the state! I've lived here my entire life and I must say that we have THE MOST unpredictable climate... you will see what I mean when you've had your first year
I just mention this because of cham precautions. We just had a storm with hail the size of baseballs and the next day 90 degrees... destroyed half of Colorado Springs
Swayne8998
Established Member
I think they chirp just so we'll rage and knock the container over... one escaped and has been hiding a place I can't get it, nonstop chirping. I hear chirping in my sleep now.
Lol. I had to get a white noise machine so I could get through the night without hearing that squeaking hell (excuse me
) and the scuttling of the roaches.Similar threads
