Cricket heating help

[LoosePin15]

Hello everyone! I have a small problem and was hoping someone with a little more experience could give me some tips.

It's starting to cool down here in Memphis and I keep my crickets in the garage in a wood enclosure I built specifically for the purpose. My problem is how to keep them warm since the garage is getting cold at night.

I thought about heat tape, but it says you can't use that with wood structures - same thing with an under-the-tank heat pad.

So...I'm assuming a light bulb over the cage is about my only option. But, can I keep a light on in the enclosure all night? Maybe a red heat light?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Carlton]

Hello everyone! I have a small problem and was hoping someone with a little more experience could give me some tips.

It's starting to cool down here in Memphis and I keep my crickets in the garage in a wood enclosure I built specifically for the purpose. My problem is how to keep them warm since the garage is getting cold at night.

I thought about heat tape, but it says you can't use that with wood structures - same thing with an under-the-tank heat pad.

So...I'm assuming a light bulb over the cage is about my only option. But, can I keep a light on in the enclosure all night? Maybe a red heat light?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Consider a radiant heat panel suspended from the inside top of the enclosure. There are various sizes/wattages and they are pretty safe. Check kingsnake.com for suppliers. Also you might consider a ceramic heat emitter...looks like a light bulb but emits no visible light. Not sure how close to wood you can use these.

 

[Andee]

If you have aluminum screen on top of the enclosure a ceramic heat emitter would be the easiest choice. Though radiant heat panels are really nice, they can get a bit pricey.