Is there any way to get rid of the cricket stink?

[Mel da panther cham]

Anyone who has used crickets as feeders probably knows exactly what I’m talking about. The dreaded dead crickets smell, it doesn’t just stay contained to inside the cricket tote/bin it stinks up the whole room. I was wondering if there are any safe ways I can remove the smell or cover it up. I’ve tried an air purifier, it didn’t work. I’ve tried keeping the crickets outside but they just die from the cold air and stink even more. Right now I’m keeping them in my garage but the whole room stinks of dead crickets. I’ve even tried an essential oil diffuser and it kind of worked until it ran out and the cricket stench took over again. Does anyone have any other suggestions on what I could do to get rid or at least suppress the cricket stink?

 

[ehdee6]

The only real way is to keep two bins, and keep switching everything out every week. Transferring the live ones from into the clean bin, washing out the old for the next week.

 

[BleuSaphir]

I don’t keep crickets because of their stench. Once a week-I go to the local pet stores around me for crickets. Keep a month of supply of Dubia Roaches and other insects.

 

[MissSkittles]

First, what kind of crickets do you have? Domestic crickets are the ones usually sold by pet stores and not only do they stink far worse, but they also die off quicker. Banded crickets are most definitely much much better and are available by most on line bug vendors.
It’s also important to keep them clean and with lots of ventilation. The fumes from their poos can kill them. I too use the two bin method, but probably move/clean them every 2-3 days as needed. Each of my buns has ventilation not just at the top, but along the sides too.
Changing the egg flats or whatever you use for them when they get foul makes a big odor difference. Remove uneaten food promptly.
I have heard that some keep their crickets on vermiculite, but that can get expensive. Some use small activated charcoal bags in their bins, like these. https://www.amazon.com/Activated-El...1777003031&sprefix=Activated+,aps,179&sr=8-19
Hope this has helped.

 

[ChamelaChameleon]

I also do the pet store trip for crickets, when needed. My main feeder is grasshoppers. No sound. No smell. No water. Easy to breed. They live a long time. Very little die off.

 

[GrilledCheese]

I also do the pet store trip for crickets, when needed. My main feeder is grasshoppers. No sound. No smell. No water. Easy to breed. They live a long time. Very little die off.

Mind me asking where you get grasshoppers from? Don’t think I’ve seen an online shop with them

 

[ChamelaChameleon]

Mind me asking where you get grasshoppers from? Don’t think I’ve seen an online shop with them

I breed my own grasshoppers. You can purchase them from Dragonhoppers.com or Feedmychameleon.com from Dean. I have also purchased from Khai Phan. You can contact him on Facebook. Breeding is easy. 2 years ago, I purchased breeders from Dean. Started my own colony. Last spring, I caught my own to use as breeders. I don't feed the wild caught. I only feed the ones hatched under my care.

If you feed grasshoppers, don't feed the kicker legs. Cut that portion off (above the knee). IMO - the kicker leg portion is too bony and has small bards that could cause impaction. I have no data to support my opinion but that's just my practice. I snip the legs with scissors.

I don't like crickets because of the stench and care needed to keep them alive. Grasshoppers require very little effort. No water needed. I hang a head of romaine lettuce in the cage and change the paper towels at the bottom of the cage once every 2 weeks.

 

[MissSkittles]

 

[ChamelaChameleon]

Yup! I know, it seems a bit cruel but my Cham has to eat. You do not want to know how I prepare to feed my Cham a hornworm.

 

[Mel da panther cham]

First, what kind of crickets do you have? Domestic crickets are the ones usually sold by pet stores and not only do they stink far worse, but they also die off quicker. Banded crickets are most definitely much much better and are available by most on line bug vendors.
It’s also important to keep them clean and with lots of ventilation. The fumes from their poos can kill them. I too use the two bin method, but probably move/clean them every 2-3 days as needed. Each of my buns has ventilation not just at the top, but along the sides too.
Changing the egg flats or whatever you use for them when they get foul makes a big odor difference. Remove uneaten food promptly.
I have heard that some keep their crickets on vermiculite, but that can get expensive. Some use small activated charcoal bags in their bins, like these. https://www.amazon.com/Activated-Elimination-Basement-Absorbers-Deodorizer/dp/B0FT33HQPD/ref=sr_1_19?crid=G3XMU5ZOOCUX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ieJH8mAAgklkVWQe7lbp6vmLrbrb7rxqfzZtxoPqAuVoVoK7acc7xwCQTwmCdlbriTfvJjDrFm2fUgzYi3RfOYTdJx14RRHT79o250tnVByYCnEXgknyMN7d8MBCK_pOX4x17dvnasMGR41Tlh27k_710UbmIIFwew2x9yv55bUxd1E2fdq9M-HDfnV_vVCGj1RVqIWu7j0_MZuxufMvhNviIzo-zyV7u8HlReBmN43qzrbIGsU0WcPwnlaG0mA80BjJRvulNYRBcVxMlzctTgmjm61YhJFs8zcWOIGOQaw.6gHwMoO0GLah8xCHHokMoLiwp48zz6gf8s4DXzlgLoc&dib_tag=se&keywords=activated+charcoal+odor+absorber&qid=1777003031&sprefix=Activated+,aps,179&sr=8-19
Hope this has helped.

I keep banded crickets in a plastic tote with holes drilled in the sides, I might try the 2 tote method. Thanks!

 

[Mel da panther cham]

I don’t keep crickets because of their stench. Once a week-I go to the local pet stores around me for crickets. Keep a month of supply of Dubia Roaches and other insects.

I was giving mine dubias but he started refusing to eat them about a month ago. Otherwise I would 100% stick with roaches