Crickets

[flybyferns]

Hi Fly By Ferns,

Thank you for the input.

I usually prefer not to use prepared foods for things like crickets, and tadpoles. Mostly, because we do not have a reliable distributor in South Africa(or else our pet shops don't order from them). As a result, our prepared products are imported, and cost a fortune. Thank you for the idea though.

Wow, that is a very nice screen that you've made. I'm still attempting to find a screen that is small enough. For now, I have a very "caveman" looking screen. I didn't have small metal screen, so I took a larger one, and simply bent it over the top of the container, and then placed another layer on top. The Crickets seemed to have been in their storage cage for a while. As soon as I put in the egg-laying container, five females descended upon it. Then there was never less than five females laying eggs at a time. During one stage, there was 21 females laying eggs(I bought them full grown)! So, I'm hoping for success.

I removed the container this morning, because some crickets were finding their way underneath the screen and I worried that they might eat the eggs. And, I'm going to prepare fresh sand for them now. I placed the container right next to their egg cartons, so they just walk over.

Thank you so much for your input.
Joh

Joh,
It is fiberglass screen ( it is kind of like fabric) that is available in lg rolls at a big box store here in the US ( ie Home Depot)
Maybe it can be purchased on line , a hardware type store, or even a general store ?

[BugBoy99]

Nice. Very handy having those extra little pieces for them to climb on. I considered using nylon mesh(which is readily available), but I think they'll eat it. I'll have a look at the fiberglass mesh, though. Thank you. Have you noticed if they try to eat the mesh over the soil?

[flybyferns]

No ........they are not eating it.
I don't think they would eat nylon either. cotton - yes !
They love cotton; so I would assume they would go after more 'natural' fibers.
There is a fabric called 'tulle' that would work as well. ( which is also nylon as well)
What ever is used has to have an opening the egg shaft will fit into comfortably for them.

[BugBoy99]

Thank you. In that case I will go and buy some surplus nylon mesh. It is easy to use, and I can buy it for some 50 cents for a kilogram.

Oh, and Happy New Year :-D

[BugBoy99]

I will post some photos of my setup, once they're a little more established. Thank you so much for everybody's help.

[unkempt1]

I will post some photos of my setup, once they're a little more established. Thank you so much for everybody's help.

Please do! I don't breed crickets (just roaches), but I never realized what went into breeding them! Hehe I may give it a try just as a hobby. What can I say? I like to tinker.

[BugBoy99]

Haha, join the club. I've kept millipedes, roaches, giant land snails, beetles, roaches, mealworms, fruit flies, birds, cats, dogs, hamsters, rats, rabbits, frogs(of course), fish and I can't remember what else... It's what we live for. Will post photos soon.

[BugBoy99]

Okay, here are my first photos. I had a yikes moment last night, when I found three crickets under the screen. SO, I tried something different. I cut the inside out of a margarine containers lid, placed the netting(from an old fishing net) over the container, and then placed the outside of the lid over the netting. It is working great!


Container for egg-laying

Female cricket exploring the container

I might modify it later.

JV