storing locusts/crickets

[tam4]

we are currently storing our locusts and crickets in the plastic tubs we receive from our supplier. we are also adding in extra food ie apple and spinach but the insects seem to be dying off very quickly. any ideas on prolonging thier lifespan? would moving them into larger tubs be a solution? thanks

 

[stucoady]

I have success in keeping them in a small viv with a low watt heat bulb although this is not used on hot days. I tend to feed them bits of greens left over from sorting out the veg for my rabbits. i also give plenty of green hey (oxbow) and cut up carrotts, apples etc.

Phil

 

[spatulars]

One thing I've found that substantially lowers the death rate of my crickets is immediate removal of dead or dying cagemates. Also, the chunky water substitutes (water crystals) are best because the crickets can't drown in them. They'll also die if it gets too cold, so I hung an incandescent bulb next to where I keep their cage. I keep them in a Sterlite container with a handle, it's a pretty decent size but I don't know the specs. I drilled a lot of small holes in the top and sides, and used coarse sandpaper to make the bottom surface easier for them to maneuver on. Rubbermaid containers are good too, taller and narrower is better, it makes it hard for them to jump out.

 

[tam4]

storing crickets/locusts

thanks for the advice! do you store crickets and locusts in the same viv? cheers

 

[mika]

I keep mine, warm, dry & clean. I take the poop out. This is my setup, they almost finished the veggies. I haven't cleaned it out yet. I don't put a lid and the sides have aluminum screening glued to it. I keep the container in the living room at room temp. Well it's been hot here lately so the room temp is 78-80F.

I don't use any water crystals, just oranges, apples, green veggies (this one turned orange), dandelion greens. I wouldn't feed the crickets too much spinach. It's not a good staple veggie because it's high in oxalates.

Try the green veggies in this link:

http://beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html

 

[stucoady]

Mika how on earth do you manage to remove their poos? lol

I keep a min of 50 extr large locusts in my viv. I once had 500 and it was impossible to remove their poops lol

If you can put the food in dishes as if left on the floor it can become disgusting?

Phil

 

[mika]

Those dishes I have are the ones that are in the Kricket Keepers. I just took em out. It has like a little walkway that goes up to the food.

I have a small hand broom & dust pan & I just use it. I have this exact same one.

http://www.moabsports.com/web-pid-8407-Coghlans-Tent-Broom-and-Dust-Pan-item.htm

They don't really soil the gutload & they finish the veggies in a day. The oranges, they almost empty it so there's only the peel left.

I usually buy the crix by the thousand. I use the 3 week old ones cuz they don't chirp and they don't make a big mess.

 

[stucoady]

I keep my locusts and crix in different vivs. I only use the large glass viv for the locusts as they need more space plus some heat.

 

[mika]

I wish I knew where to get locusts here.

I don't think anyone sells it in the US.

 

[AndrewH]

Mika how on earth do you manage to remove their poos? lol

hey Phil,

your all probably gonna laugh, but this little device is the best thing ive bought for keeping cages tidy, and removing the poop from circket cages.... i guess its sad i vacuum their rooms more than my own

got it at bed bath and beyond for 20 bucks, probably carry it at target too.

http://www.dirtdevil.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?id=32947

 

[spatulars]

That vaccuum is awesome! I need one now lol. I only buy 50 large crickets at a time though. Also, I haven't seen locusts (grasshoppers?) for sale here in the US either. I would just keep all feeders separate.

 

[hawaiianice99]

how do you guys handle the smell? i usually keep about 50 in a cricket keeper and they end up stinking it up after a couple of days.

 

[AndrewH]

if you keep them indoors, a 40 or 60 watt lamp above them will help get rid of the smell IMMENSELY!! Moisture buildup, from the dead ones, old food, and their crap all mixed up seems to be the cause of the stench

Other than that, pick out the dead ones every other day and clean out their poop weekly. Doing those chores, i can barely notice any smell at all.

 

[PINki]

we are also adding in extra food ie apple and spinach but the insects seem to be dying off very quickly

Make sure to wash the vegies that you give to crickets. If they have any pesticides crix will die. You just have to wash it good.

 

[BocaJan]

I use kale and apples to feed crickets. Seems like the chlorophyll in the kale helps with the odor. When I used a cricket keeper (box with the top) they really smelled. I now use a big plastic tub without a top. They can't jump out and there is no smell unless you put your nose right over the tub and then it is minimal.