How to breed crickets: extended version

[@MrEstradaG]

Shelby you are doing great! Thanks for being so educational. Wishing you the best of the best

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@jkwan2196]

Learnt a lot about crickets that I didn’t know about. Thanks so much! I’ve been trying to breed crickets but this video explains everything so thanks.

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

You are very welcome! Thank you for watching.

[@mikewalters4994]

You have the BEST video I have seen. Thank You!!!...

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Thank you!! Thanks for watching!

[@alescerman4039]

Hi, great video. May I ask if the crickets glow with light or are they dark all the time? I see you don't have a window there. Thank you

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Thanks so much for watching! Great question that I don't have a super solid answer to. There is actually one window at the front of the barn that allows in natural light. Every space I have grown in has a natural light source (even if it's small), so I don't have any completely dark set ups to compare it to. Theoretically, you would be working with the lights on daily, so, there would be at least a few hours. There might be some studies about photo periods as it relates to rearing crickets, but I've never read them. Hope this helps!

[@kellyd4221]

Very helpful! I'm just collecting data,so I can begin my cricket project. Thank you for sharing your experience with me

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Awesome! Thank you for watching.

[@ccfox811]

What do you feed the pinhead's 😊 30:19 your video is very helpful Thank you

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Insect diet with meat from BioForge Labs in Huxley and sliced potatoes. It works well!

[@littleshopintheshed]

So 24-48 hrs for the first breeding tray, then another tray for 24-48 hrs and they are done laying eggs? Or are they laying for a longer period of time. You mentioned something about “ round three” so I don’t know if that means three rounds of laying eggs, or 3 separate breeding trays. Sorry for all the questions. I find this very interesting. Will be trying small scale this summer for fishing bait

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

You can absolutely do 3 rounds! For me, once they get to that point they’re not super active anymore (declining and naturally expiring). Currently, I am only doing 1 48 hour round, but that’s how my barn is set up. Hope that helps!

[@javiermontes905]

Your doing an amazing job. Thank you Hun. 😀

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Thanks for watching!

[@israelolaniyi59]

Shelby,thanks and very kind of you for those details. Where are you located?, If it's within my location, l want to come and learn. This is Israel from California

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Hi Israel! I am in Iowa.

[@joehinkle8583]

Shelby - really like your videos. Question about breeding substrate - Peat Moss. The brand of PeatMoss I use (bought at Lowes a couple of years ago) to make potting soil - when mixed with tap water to the hydration level you demonstrate - has a ph of 3.5 (measured with lab grade equipment). I have to use a LOT of dolomite lime to get a ph of 6.5. A ph of 3.5 is typical of Orange Juice. Have you had any issues with your breeding trays with very acidic substrate? Thanks for any comments.

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

oh, interesting! What brand was it? Was it in a blue, yellow, and white package? I haven't ever had a problem with hatching babies, but that doesn't mean it's not causing problems. That's something that perhaps I should mess with! Super interesting insight. Thank you for sharing!

[@joehinkle8583]

@@BuildingInASmallTown If you are thinking of checking ph -- DO NOT Waste money on $20 Garden PH meters. The concept they are based on is a bi-metal reaction to ph changes. It was developed as a cheap crude method of see ph changes in and require the probes to be prepared each time you use them and they are NOT accurate or repeatable. If you are interested -- get one with a "Spear" tip - used in testing food. I have a Apera but its about $200. Amazon has a "Chinese" brand - "RCYAGO" for $41 - I don't know how good it is. Peat Moss is VERY acidic when you get it "unprepared" in the bag you show from a BIG Box Store. I have seen ph range from my low of 3.5 to just over 4.3. To use Peat Moss as a "Seed" mix or "Potting" soil - the ph MUST be adjusted to get it to at least 6.5 -- with 7 being Neutral. Dolomite Lime is used raise the ph AND provide a ph buffer. The reason I asked my question is that "dirt" from a "GOOD" garden will be around 6.5 --- and if THAT environment is BEST for breeding - than straight Peat Moss may have some negative impact on your eggs / baby crickets. If you want - send me a baggy filled with some of your Peat Moss and I will test it for you. At least you would have an idea of what the ph is.. You could then amend the ph and see if your yield changes. I'd be happy to test it for you if you wish.

[@danbeaudoin5894]

Very helpful, Thank you !

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Thank you for watching!

[@littleshopintheshed]

Found a place to order a bunch of cricket from near by, what size would be good to start with? Anything smaller than 3/4”? I would hate to order a bunch and they are past their breeding age. They also offer eggs

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Anything smaller than 3/4 is a great place to start. I started with 2 week old, which was a little smaller than I would recommend. 2 weekers aren't quite as fragile as pinheads, but they're certainly not durable. You'll learn more the younger they are!

[@rodmiller7991]

Hi again, Do you have to wear gloves when handling them? Thanks

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

I never did, but if you are sensitive to them, you should.

[@thesilkkradle9558]

This is great. Thank you. Love ur recordings.

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@thesilkkradle9558]

@@BuildingInASmallTown haha I’ve watched about 30 of ur recordings ☺️. Picking up some tips. Clearly. Very helpful

[@janlu9481]

Hi, many thanks for all your videos. Can you please mention what can go wrong by reusing the breeding substrate? Thanks :)

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Hi!! Sorry I missed this comment and am so delayed in the response. There are quite a few things that can go wrong: build up of harmful bacteria, presences of pheromones that are toxic to eggs/pinheads, mite infestations, and more. If you can freeze or sterilize the substrate after each use, you might be able to reduce the risk, however, I've found that simply replacing it each round is the most cost effective and efficient for us.

[@bmzaron713]

This is an area with apparently very little to no research on 'reusing substrate'.. To say you can't reuse the substrate is kind of silly without any experimenting/ studies.. Crickets lay eggs daily so if you wait a week to change substrate as opposed to changing it daily (which is what some do) then wouldn't that qualify as resuing substrate to an extent if changed weekly? When you are in a commercial business raising house crickets and worried about the virus that can affect them, I guess it makes sense to take every precaution; but for sustainability and being cost effective I don't know about it..

[@indriawands]

@@bmzaron713 i use sand, and separate the eggs while washing the sand. Then dry and use it again.

[@davidmuniz5307]

@@indriawands how do you separate such small cricket eggs from sand which is probably smaller than cricket eggs?

[@indriawands]

@@davidmuniz5307 it's easy, if you use fine sand media for cricket eggs you just need to stir it in the water then pour the water into a cloth or filter then the eggs will be poured with the water. While the sand will settle under the eggs will be on top because it is lighter than sand.

[@bonnitacazares7379]

Thank you so much. This was perfect

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

You are very welcome! Thank you for watching.

[@lostfound8112]

Amazing vid. Showed me several things i missed

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@rodmiller7991]

Hi, Why do you have the mesh? Taped to the sides of the plastic boxes? Thanks

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Ventilation holes!

[@marypartridge5154]

How do you get holes in top of container for air

[@sandIT-ion]

Such a helpful video!! Thank you!

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@dacisky]

Could you use cheesecloth to keep them from escaping in the house over the top of your incubator?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

That might work! They also might eat their way through it

[@teenamillar7013]

And is it okay safe to use buy plant soil with moss and perlite ?❤

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

That should be ok as long as there's no chemical fertilizer

[@teenamillar7013]

@@BuildingInASmallTown so many thanks ☺️

[@lolo9fo]

I will be using 30 gallon containers and plan on storing 5000 in them. Is that okay and how long to the egg cartons last in a tub of that quantity?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

5,000 should be achievable. I would shoot for ~900 per sq ft of growing space in the bin. Some of my egg flats have lasted over a year. Eventually, they get broken down and partially eaten.

[@lolo9fo]

@@BuildingInASmallTown wow thank you. So you don’t need to swap them out when they get too dirty? How often do you clean the storage bins to remove any fallen troops?

[@teenamillar7013]

I have a male and female the same size full grown in a large bin, and I also have another full grown male cricket in a large aquarium but I really just want to put all of them together in my aquarium but I'm very concerned if the males will fight and kill each other. They are petz😊 do you think it's okay or this wouldn't be wise?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

They might get competitive, but if you give them enough space, they should be able to coexist!

[@teenamillar7013]

@@BuildingInASmallTown again many thanks!!💋

[@teenamillar7013]

Love your channel!😉

[@pasd2891]

So when incubating do you have a heating pad or how do you do it

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

I keep my incubators a bit closer to my heaters, but other than that, they’re kept in the same barn. An ideal set up would have an incubation room, but I’m not big enough to do that.

[@pasd2891]

@@BuildingInASmallTown would you recommend a heating pad for someone small? Or how would you suggest someone small to do it

[@evileve6068]

I put adult in gecko viv as food saw them laying eggs now I have alot of baby crickets in the tank . 😮. Thought they were ants for a min until they started jumping. It's a open gecko viv are these little guys gona climb out . ? What am I gona do with all these baby's

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

LOL It happens. One of the females likely got to work laying eggs before your gecko found it. Is the habitat glass? If so, they more than likely won't be able to get out. If any of them survive very long, they'll just be extra snacks it sounds like.

[@dylantennant3600]

Do you do multiple rounds of breeding trays per bin?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

I usually do two. If I’m really worried about having enough (which is usually an irrational fear!) I will do 3 for some of them

[@Auditing.northern.N.Y.]

Breeding my first batch was simple. I moved the pinheads to an aquarium, was a bad ideal. I keep them in a grow tent. Seeing a bunch of escapees. Any advice?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

escapees are bound to happen. Especially with pinheads. Are they climbing up the sides of the aquarium? If so, you can try a layer of packing tape around the top of the aquarium. They struggle to climb up it

[@Auditing.northern.N.Y.]

@@BuildingInASmallTown yes they climb up the silicone like nothing. Thanks for the advice. I'll give the tape a try. I've baited a bunch of escapees into a dish. But losing a lot

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

@@Auditing.northern.N.Y. The packing tape should help!

[@Auditing.northern.N.Y.]

@@BuildingInASmallTown awesome, thanks again

[@Live24200]

Ma'am best video

[@kencollins7046]

So, after the eggs hatch, do you have video on how to raise them to adults? I usually can get to hatch, but lose a lot after that. Feeding, watering, housing as they grow is still hard for me

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Hi Ken! I don't know that I have one specifically on keeping them alive after hatch , but some of the basics are covered in this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL1GhU3DoORCSPE8TiK0H9FIh3ftIh5ajv Here's some other good ones: kzbin.info/aero/PL1GhU3DoORCRc5QtQ_7PdD_NIPHqHX11t kzbin.info/aero/PL1GhU3DoORCT6L5K7OwwLiC1Buo-ep86X Hope they help!

[@kencollins7046]

@@BuildingInASmallTown Thank you!

[@kencollins7046]

@@BuildingInASmallTown My operation is small and Im just growing to have my own fish bait.

[@Holypikemanz]

If the eggs are deeper into the substrate, not on top, I guess they dig themselves out of the substrate when they hatch? Can we help them do that?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

No need! They make it to the surface just fine.

[@sonnmorangello6837]

I bought 2000 crickets some are adults and some are 1/2 inch. I'm wanting to breed the adults, should I seperate the adults and put them by themselves or will they still breed being all together?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

DEFINITELY separate them. Otherwise, you're 1/2 inchers will become little snacks quite quickly. Always keep separate generations in their own habitat.

[@sonnmorangello6837]

Thanks so much for replying. Have a great day!!

[@choppa1964]

Hi just wondering what food r u feeding your crickets

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Insect diet with meat from BioForge labs in Huxley, IA.

[@majasmagic]

would silicone trays work (personal scale) I have those foldable silicone dog bowls

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Yes! As long as the surface is rough enough for them to get in and out of (or you give them a little cardboard bridge in and out, either would work)

[@majasmagic]

@@BuildingInASmallTown fantastic. Just a thought/ brain fart if these cricket do smell as bad as some say, then depending on the climate, air, humidity conditions (say they were on point) in the garden/ allotment shed, if kept there that would also keep the rats away as they hate the smell of ammonia. As well as not so noisy for us and neighbours.

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

@@majasmagic when kept in optimal conditions, there's little smell. When the humidity gets high and things get wet, it starts to smell terribly. Also, if you have a bunch of dead ones lying around, they will smell awful. It's essentially rotting meat!

[@majasmagic]

@@BuildingInASmallTown I see. Thanks

[@bmzaron713]

I would be surprised if soaking the substrate in a bucket of rainwater or letting a few rains wash over it wouldn't rinse out anything problematic for a small scale cricket setup.. I would think there are those who reuse it some way or another by letting it sit outside, etc..

[@panagiotislemontzis9986]

Why shouldnt we re-use the breeding subsrate ? Please explain.

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

You can, but I would freeze or heat-treat it. There’s too many things that can go wrong (mites, other insects, bacteria build up, etc) that can drastically impact.

[@janstock3678]

what is it u put in ur pinhead feed trays for their food??

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

it's the same feed we use for the adults. BioForge Labs Insect diet with meat. We also use sliced potatoes

[@dakotamccoy8118]

What do you feed your crickets?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Hi Dakota! We feed BioForge Labs Insect Diet with Meat.

[@GeorgeMcintyre-q7d]

Do you feed them to your chickens

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

I don't! I eat them believe it or not.

[@GeorgeMcintyre-q7d]

@@BuildingInASmallTown so what do you do with the Crickets?

[@katiestine6600]

Do u reuse the egg flats?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

I do - until they start to eat too big of holes in them.

[@Live24200]

Wow this is practical knowledge

[@undergroundkustomz2796]

Your nickname should be 'The Cricket Professor '😊

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

LOL. Sounds like a t-shirt 🤣🤷🏼‍♀️

[@undergroundkustomz2796]

No lie.. if it weren't for your videos I would have wasted so much time and money. Thanks again!!

[@philippelabonte1246]

Your incubator stay in the same room as the rest of the population ? I tought they need more heat and humidity ?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

With my current set up, a hatchery isn't possible, but, yes, warmer and more humid is ideal. I use the lids of the bins to create more humidity (but, it's a delicate balance, you definitely don't want condensation). We add a little extra heat with an additional heater near the incubators. It works well for us in this set up.

[@philippelabonte1246]

@@BuildingInASmallTown Good to know i was confused haha thanks for your help!

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

@@philippelabonte1246 thank you for pointing it out. I will probably do another video about it later in the week.

[@Puffdaddycurtis]

I feed mine took care of them they do not make as much noise in the morning but when it's night bedtime for me to go to sleep I don't hear to make noise they were probably making noise but I was sleeping good like I probably heard them

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Probably 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@katiestine6600]

Can we reuse peat moss?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

I typically don’t. If you’re going to, I would cook it to sanitize it.

[@katiestine6600]

@@BuildingInASmallTown how long do we cook it for nd how come we can’t reuse it?

[@wattsjadajoe]

The more I watch your videos the more I laugh. You are not only informative, but quite comical also. At this time, I believe you are talking to you crickets also. BTW I'm sure you are running out of names... LOL. I still have quite a few of your videos to go yet... I have ordered my crickets, I'll be getting 2000 in a few days!

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Thank you so much!! I try to not be totally dry with the information I’m giving. I hope the crickets arrive happy and healthy. Please don’t hesitate with any questions. Happy to help and troubleshoot.

[@victoriacarson8320]

I purchase crickets to feed amphibians, and I am interested in breeding them. I rarely hear males chirp. Why are they not chirping?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Thanks so much for watching! What size crickets are you purchasing? If they aren't fully grown adults, they won't chirp. The males are silent the majority of their lives.

[@victoriacarson8320]

@@BuildingInASmallTown I order about 1,000 1/2" crickets, but i just have a few amphibians... They usually last a while. How long would you estimate it would take for them to reach maturity after I recieve them?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

@@victoriacarson8320 That explains why they're quiet! They are about half grown. If you are keeping them at room temperature (72-ish degrees F) it will take about 3-4 weeks for them to reach maturity. If they're kept warmer than that, it will be a shorter time to maturity. Hope this helps!

[@victoriacarson8320]

@@BuildingInASmallTown Thank you. I know they're immature when I buy them, but I thought they'd be mature after a couple of weeks. Thanks for your help and fast responses!! ❤

[@Live24200]

Thanks ma'am

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Most welcome 😊

[@zacheryschubert2330]

What does your farm smell like?

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

It smells kind of like warm grains! It's one of our best indicators that something is wrong. If we walk in and there is a strong ammonia smell or dead cricket smell, we know something has a problem.

[@phoenixcollege6608]

i made like a jazillion of them so its fine

[@nanukbigwithe]

👍👍

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

thanks for watching!

[@phoenixcollege6608]

i want you to have my bracelet i made in scout camp

[@mikewalters4994]

You should expand Your business and start raising European Night Crawlers, for fish bait.

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

I could probably set up a pretty decent little side business with the live market. Diversify with all sorts of feeders/bait.

[@dragonsants7023]

14:31 Crickets Are JERKS! Copy That...

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

LOL. Yes, they definitely are 😅🤷🏼‍♀️

[@jamiepretorius7217]

Who eats crickets , it's bad for your health!

[@BuildingInASmallTown]

Is it? Tell me more!

[@bobboyett3142]

That's why more than 2 billion people eat them everyday.