crix bedding - what is best ?

[little leaf]

I was wondering what is the best bedding for crix- for some reason, MINE STINK! I have NEVER had them so nasty - I cleaned it only 3 days ago- the only original thing that went back in ( after washing the whole bin in hot soapy water) was the crix - and they already smell - I was going to try beat pulp - I have them in cross cut paper now- and many tubes made w/ new paper so I change them every 2 days- but UGH- I dont know what to do they are gut loaded w/ Sandra's gut load blog so I dont think its the food- that has never made any of the other bins smell- my hubby is gonna kick ME and the crix out of the house- if I can not get this to stop smelling - and why only this batch ? there was 1000 + its down to only like 200 or so - and it only just started to smell like a week ago ~

 

[pssh]

I find that bedding tends to make them smell even more! The bedding might soak up the water/juice from the food/water/dead crickets. I have heard of someone using a little fresh rosemary to help with the smell. Maybe that will help? Extra ventilation on the sides and top plus a small computer fan helps too.

 

[LazardLizard]

I don't know, I keep my cricket bins outside. Now I do know that plastic can hold smells, that may be why you are getting the smell back so soon with fewer crickets.

Maybe this helps...

 

[little leaf]

I don't know, I keep my cricket bins outside. Now I do know that plastic can hold smells, that may be why you are getting the smell back so soon with fewer crickets.

Maybe this helps...

hmmmmm- I did not think of that- it does not smell when I was it- but soon after - there is no top on it- and it does have screen on the side- I wish I could keep mine outside !! lol Ohio is still to cold

 

[little leaf]

I find that bedding tends to make them smell even more! The bedding might soak up the water/juice from the food/water/dead crickets. I have heard of someone using a little fresh rosemary to help with the smell. Maybe that will help? Extra ventilation on the sides and top plus a small computer fan helps too.

if you do not use bedding, what do you use? I am willing to try ANYTHING at this point

 

[carol5208]

if you do not use bedding, what do you use? I am willing to try ANYTHING at this point

I just use cardboard egg crates, toilet paper rolls, etc. I have never used bedding or heard of anyone using it.

 

[pssh]

Nothing. I use small shallow dishes for the food/water and just clean it out every few days to once a week depending on how many I have/when it starts smelling again. I make sure to keep it really dry and ventilated. The computer fan helps too.

 

[little leaf]

welllllll I never heard of NOT using it - LOL ok, so I will take all the bedding out- and try that - they have never had a smell ever until now - I also have egg bins in there- but those get taken out every few days and go to the incubator - so I know it is not those that smell - I will stick up a pic of my bin - brb

 

[little leaf]

this is one of the bins-

 

[nick barta]

Some thoughts-

The domestica cricket seems to die-off easier than the banded cricket that Ghanns Cricket sells. Die-off will give you the worst stink, and once it starts, they all start to die.

Just put the crickets on the floor of the plastic container, add some egg crates and rolled up paper so they have more places to hide.

Instead of water bowls (not sure if you have one) use water cubes. Dead crickets in water bowls smells nasty too.

All that being said, if the crickets get too cold or too hot in shipping, they will die off quickly, and you should notice it right away. Cricket farms are pretty good about replacement if your die-off is reported quickly.

 

[sulley]

i also have bare bottom and just use egg crates.easier to clean and mine dont smell much at all.
i clean mine out 4 times a week.