How To Breed & Raise Crickets - The Critter Depot

[@yadadsellsavon1703]

If you feed your crickets orange it makes them more citric acidic in nutrients which is poisonous to bearded dragons, For people reading this comment if your planning on feeding a beardy with this method of bred crickets feed then pepper as a moist alternative, Possibly dusted with calcium as everything you feed your insects is past onto their consumer 😊

[@meidalfam]

ohhh thanks

[@twitchpuci4431]

JandK Meidal I'm only here to find out how to feed my green tree frog for free

[@មាសហេង]

WEED! The best for feeding...

[@Subswithnovideos-ve6zc]

What about the the yellow cricket quencher because it doesn't have citric acid in it. It's just used as basically the crickets water source, but reinforced with calcium

[@inspiredpotential8347]

@@Subswithnovideos-ve6zc I'm using the same stuff it seems to be alright but I also drop Bak choi or whatever and asperagus as well to gut load nutrients. the dragons love it lol

[@tyongsbith4046]

The transit was rough on them Him: BLAM BLAM BLAM on the box 😂😂

[@jadeerae4449]

I thought the same thing😂😂

[@sspac3yy]

Lol I know right?!

[@chrisjoyce3235]

If anybody is here to learn how to breed crickets for leopard geckos DO NOT use citrus fruits to feed and water the crickets as citrus fruits are bad for leopard geckos

[@NikolausMotorsports]

Chris Joyce what do you recommend as a replacement?

[@chrisjoyce3235]

Virtually any veggies, salad greens and none citrus fruits, I'd avoid tomatoes and strawberries as they'll mold quick.

[@Fitted5hundreds]

What about Jackson chameleons?

[@chrisjoyce3235]

@@NikolausMotorsportsall fresh veggies and salad greens and but don't leave tomatoes longer than 24hrs. Critters love spinach, sweet potatoes are brilliant for them.

[@chrisjoyce3235]

@@Fitted5hundreds couldn't tell you for jacksons chameleon sorry I don't keep them.

[@teganjade8856]

lettuce is also good to use as its 85% water. I use lettuce and shaved carrot for my crickets. Also crushed up dog food is very good as well

[@megaparsec7910]

Jesus Rivera yup

[@arom1367]

I give my crickets a lettuce leaf and water bug gel x 🤗

[@chloehunt7536]

Does cat food work?

[@megaparsec7910]

Chloe Hunt probably. It’s pretty much the same as dog food so it should work.

[@teganjade8856]

@@chloehunt7536 cat food is high in salt so probably better to use dog food. Fish flakes are another thing you can use cause its has protein, vitamins and minerals.

[@ChaosBW]

*My secret to not losing any crickets:* Transfer crickets to breeding bins outside around chickens When there is only a few left clinging to the box, give box to the chickens

[@ozzy_fromhell]

Meme Machine now time to buy some chickens

[@kevyonphillips-ellis8675]

Osvaldo Perdomo 😂😂

[@persephionie7412]

Oh thank god. I have 3 chicken coops 🤦‍♀️😂

[@thatstheteasis8721]

Meme Machine yea because everyone just has chickens sitting in their yards 😂

[@obiwankenobiwithinternetac7926]

@@thatstheteasis8721 chickens have been landing on my backyard lately

[@audrey5734]

Thanks! I’m 10 so I can’t really buy my own crickets, and my parents complain on how much they can cost for so many! And thanks to this video I can breed my own crickets without waiting for my 2 dollar allowance 😂😁👍

[@KaisReptiles]

SAME! ikr

[@tadghostal7501]

Your like 14 now, but that was a really wholesome comment

[@LordJeremy94]

How did your breeding go?

[@themoistestwaffle]

@lordjenny94 for real interested

[@tadghostal7501]

@@themoistestwaffle me too why hasn't he said anything

[@TheSnakeking24]

He's right about the thirst ... whenever I feed my reptiles crickets they spend more time licking up moisture from the walls and floor rather than escaping the massive lizard behind them

[@biktikz]

You're supposed to gutload before feeding them to your animals

[@thatstheteasis8721]

Zeke Austen they never said they didn’t...

[@EmoPrincxss666]

Wym escaping the massive lizard behind them 🧍

[@TuberoseKisser]

​@@EmoPrincxss666 lizards eat crickets

[@EmoPrincxss666]

@@TuberoseKisser imma be honest I think I wrote that comment in the middle of the night and my brain wasn't working but I get it now 💀

[@typokytty8278]

So just a tip for any one you can use a test tube for water. 1 fill test tube with water 2 push a cotton ball in tube where it is tight. (Try to keep air bubbles to a minimum. Also its a good idea to make certain that it dose not drain from the tube when upside down.) 3 lay tube on its side and be sure the cotton is fully wet. watch as the crickets drink from the cotton

[@justinhumphries6594]

I use a medicine cup. Same method and they can't drown... It's cool to watch them drink lol

[@typokytty8278]

in addition, you can also take a jar get a lid that is slightly bigger than the jar opening place a few cotton pads down in the lid, and secure it with rubber bands or whatever holds it tight to avoid leaking. I have used this many times in my crickets and mill worm farm it seems to work best for crickets as they don't disturb the cotton pads.

[@GeckoTech_Engineer]

You could use a sponge but I don’t recommend it because I tried it and it grew mould, I don’t think a sponge is necessary if you just feed them food with moisture. You can also use water gel.

[@richellmcknight446]

That's actually kinda brilliant❤

[@typokytty8278]

@GeckoTech_Engineer i give water because ive tried the jell and just giving watery food. But they perfer actual water.

[@duffyx392]

6:04 cricket pop's out of the box like: "did you say breeding?"

[@Matthew-cd8iv]

Lmao

[@lordonionrat-3930]

That was perfect lmao

[@ebaywizard2414]

I ain't paying no child support

[@calebsmith.official4254]

I did this and it’s bern very successful it was fairly expensive. I have my crickets breed put the breeding box into the incubator after a week then I immediately feed the breeding crickets to my lizards, frogs, turnantulas, and salamander. After 5 days I put the pin head crickets into the breeding area again empty the top soil into a trash can and repeat the process. Self sustaining breeding!!

[@TheCritterDepot]

Caleb Smith.official that’s great, Caleb. What are you feeding the crickets and what temps are you rearing them?

[@whiskey_the_beardie1850]

What size cricket did you use?

[@AshleyIvon]

@@TheCritterDepot have you made a video breeding turtles

[@daraider1254]

Is it safe feeding your lizard crickets that may be covered in vermiculite?? Or are they strictly for breeding??

[@madamejinx3526]

thank you, i needed this as my frogs recently just had babies and this is definetly a cheaper way of getting food then buying tons of crickets.

[@TheCritterDepot]

wow that's great. a proud new parent. we're glad these are helpful. we do have a monthly contest where winners can win a year supply of free crickets. If interested, all you'd have to do is post pictures of your pets, and see if you can get the most critter gold. Here's the link: forum.thecritterdepot.com/

[@NoVanity1]

Put the box in the fridge for 15 minutes and they will go dormant so you can transfer them easily.

[@michiganaquatics2394]

Awesome!!!! I will use that thank you

[@MonsterFishKeepersPH]

use furnace instead

[@kittyfae2125]

I was not looking forward to moving them on at all. Thanks.

[@surtu9221]

Just don't forget them in there XD

[@neganrex5693]

Cool.

[@ddd3240]

I have absolutely no interest in raising crickets but this was a very interesting and well done video. Thanks for posting it.

[@mememccream1706]

If you dont want escaping crickets do this: Put the crickets in the fridge for a few minutes (around 10 or so). This wont kill them at all, they will just go into dormant (slowing down its movment). then take the box of crickets and put them in the tubs your keeping or breeding them in.

[@warpenguin6300]

Now I have crickets inside my fridge 🥰 at least they will be crunchy

[@christianandersen5521]

Or just lower your box into the bigger box. And then get them out. If they escape they escape into your holding bin.

[@dextasoul8024]

Thank you big smoke

[@caitlinnn1142]

I just won the cricket contest for August. This video is super helpful! I am going to try breeding my own. Thanks for the free crickets! ☺️

[@LanceCampeau]

Is anyone else so bored in self-isolation that they looked up cricket breeding "just because"? (I enjoyed the video BTW!)

[@Therealslimmisery]

same

[@MartyBrawls]

Searched because I heard one outside

[@rhondadavis5387]

Besides being bored, very bored I can't find crickets to feed my Chameleon. The pet stores here are out of them.

[@jadebaby0]

Im tired of running out of crickets all the time. 2 hungry bearded dragons, I think this is the route I will take. might help me overcome my fear of the creepy bugs. LOL, however I do enjoy the music they make its so soothing.

[@pebblechan2002]

Need food for my beardies and yes.

[@henlay8240]

Currently I am doing research on cricket. Your explanation is clear and up to the point. Keep it up

[@alanpeg2u]

Thanks for a video that was very informative and to the point and done with a stationary camera!

[@heavenlystargazer7440]

Thank's for posting this informative video. I have backyard chickens, In the summer months I catch those giant water bugs, the chickens eat them like popcorn. However in the winter there are no bugs in my yard. I usually buy the dry crickets for the winter months but I think there are not much nutrients in them. Your video hands down is the best how to for growing crickets I have seen.

[@teambeining]

6:04 “Am I on yet?” 🦗 😂😂😂

[@tyongsbith4046]

Great video 👍🏼👍🏼 but I just have one question! How often should I change the vermiculite and soils?

[@matthewfarrell317]

This is awesome, I will have to give it a go, I keep ants and frogs, and I have a good system were if the mealworms or crickets get too big for the frogs, the ants will eat them (ironically, the smaller animal prefers the bigger meal lol). For fluids for the mealworms I keep, I use the blue watergel things for them, I assume for crickets they are good too.

[@58Kym]

I was breeding crix for animals and then ended up breeding them for a research project at the university. This is similar to my process. My steps were: 1. I also used vermiculite as the base and I also used moistened vermiculite in the plastic laying container. Over the laying media, I fit a close fitting layer of wire mesh with a 3-5mm openings. This kept the crix from burrowing into the laying media and making a mess, they simply laid the eggs through the mesh into the damp vermiculite with their ovipositors. 2. I changed out the laying containers every week and stacked the relidded individual weeks in groups so same week hatched together. When I saw pinheads, all that week lays were boxed up together. 3. They were fed cheap fish flakes, chopped carrot and watered using large testtubes stopped with cotton wool. The project required aged matched cohorts of virgin females and males introduced at different ages so they had to be sorted through into sexes once they developed visible genitalia etc so this was the best way to breed this native species of cricket. I figure this would work for nearly any species though. Edit: they had egg cartons to hide in too.

[@GeckoTech_Engineer]

Do they need a heat lamp?

[@58Kym]

@@GeckoTech_Engineer Mine didn’t because i am in the subtropics and was in a heated room. I imagine if you can’t provide some heat in cold areas it may not be very successful.

[@GeckoTech_Engineer]

@@58Kym do the pinheads need vermiculite and a carton?

[@58Kym]

@@GeckoTech_Engineer The adult females lay the eggs in the damp vermiculite then every week (more or less) take that container out and relid and put in a warm place. It was usually about mmmm. 10days maybe less that they would start hatching, (tell the truth its hard to remember having been a few years) put the containers in a larger container with chopped carrot, fish food, egg carton etc, and let them hatch over the next week. Then discard the vermiculite, clean and refill and reuse for the next laying cycle. Keep the pinheads fed and warmish, with carrot for moisture until you use them up. You will need a few large containers and a few more small ones to keep the cycle going. I use to cut out the middle of the larger lids and glue on insect mesh otherwise the containers get too wet and your young crickets will die and stink.

[@Reepicheepish]

​@58Kym any chance to get a schematic of the test tube feeder rig?

[@fayfox885]

I have an idea for no run away, and a good splitting 50/50 idea :)) Maybe you can have them custom made, or do it yourself. You could package the boxes so theres 2 sections, place a divider in the center, but do not have the divider come all the way to the top, leaving a gap between the top of the divider and the top of box, glue tiny cardboard protruding tabs 2 on each side,all level with the divider, making sure all 4 walls have tabs, tabs only come out far enough to support a top piece of cardboard that will cover the top, almost as if its a ''false bottom'' the top cardboard cover will have 2 holes cut out, one over the center of each chamber, but placed near the edge of box for ease of sliding and moving crickets out of box. you then cut a toilet paper roll in half or as high until you reach the height of the top of the box. These "tunnels" will have a plastic cap, or plastic wrap tie held with rubber band. Essentially you will just have to open the main box send out from you, you will look inside and be presented with a flat piece of cardboard with 2 tunnel systems protruding equally spaces from the edges, with the covers over them. Sides of box still has mesh for breathing. All your customers will have to do is decide to either open both tunnel vents at the top and pour them like a funnel into the container, or they can choose to open one at a time, for placement of 50% into each container. Then either tap the box upside down till they are all out, leave it like that for them to come out in their own time, also this may eliminate any stressors from the travel. Not sure if this works for you, but I would have a funner time doing this if they were not jumping all over the place frantically, I envisioned this after watching your video, I loved it by the way, very informative. Thank you.

[@tarruvi]

I think keeping insects as pets is neat, and crickets have to be a great candidate. They make sound, hatch as miniature versions of adults(instars), easy to keep track of in their later life stages, and are a delight to observe. The first species I had, were the usual House Crickets. A long domesticated cricket, with average characteristics and somewhat passive in nature. But, my favorite would be Banded Crickets. They have come onto the market not too long ago. Their defining features, would be longer antennae, and dark bands around their body and legs. Just as passive as House Crickets, from my time observing them. Both types can eat dog food, having raised a new generation fully off of dog food and a water tray(basically, a wet paper towel in a reptile bowl to prevent drowning). They grew normally, but, I did observe something noteworthy. These new adults, in contrast to their parents, had more winged individuals. To clarify, I know males have noise making wings. But, both males and females in this generation had large wings that could enable them flight. Be it the dog food, or, the environment. These dog food raised crickets seemed healthier, and casualties from stress, disease, and cannibalism were minimal, or, nonexistent. What I hypothesize, is these crickets must be well fed and had little to no nutrient deficiency. I’m not saying the dog food brand was great, but, it shows this generation had a better start than their more, “unfortunate” parents’ start. I believe getting the crickets young, would ensure their development is secured early. Making the likelihood of winged adults almost certain. I had great interest in bugs and plants from a young age. And, I hope to inspire others to try raising crickets or other bugs for fun, or, to discover any similar physical manifestations that I have.

[@JV-tw2ty]

It is for lizards!

[@johnkohler8926]

499 crickets after 6:13 when the ninja escapes

[@thegamingvulture8304]

Yo im dieing right now

[@powerof4200]

First video game reviews... then breeding crickets. THANKS KZbin

[@davidmuniz1479]

KZbin be like: Oh the places you’ll go!

[@austinpierce2866]

I don’t have a lizard why am I here

[@phillipharris2831]

Austin Pierce to get a lizard

[@michiganaquatics2394]

@@phillipharris2831 yes

[@jasonnieves9761]

Just In case you are in short supply at home.

[@xenathewarriorprincess1995]

I have a lizard

[@michiganaquatics2394]

@@xenathewarriorprincess1995 i have things that eat lizards

[@eviltango]

This is so insightful! I buy crickets for my A. avicularia but on average half of the usually 10 crickets I buy at my local petco die within 48 hours. I want to raise crickets so I don’t have to constantly buy them. Amazing video and awesome store!

[@kbdizzle5054]

I had this problem when I first started getting getting crickets and keeping them in a little plastic insect enclosure. Even with keeping fresh carrots available, no matter how many, there'd be no more after a few days. After a while I started including a little piece of egg crate in the same container with fresh carrots kept available, then all of a sudden the cricket started surviving well past 2 days.

[@whispy_on_paws]

I have a breaded dragon and my quite young so I don’t buy my crickets, but my parents complain all the time, so I bought a breeding set, some water and food, and 5 boxes of baby crickets! This helped so much! Thanks! 😊

[@goodnight63]

Me spending my days breeding crickets when the world is ending like:

[@LittleMissBettyPage]

Not a bad thing. Get prepared learning how to make them tasty great skill for the end of the world as we know it

[@GR-bt1yu]

I'm in it for the fishing!

[@Lccastaldo]

You can eat crickets! ;-) ...the world isn't ending!

[@LittleMissBettyPage]

I never said it was ending right now!: life as we know it has most certainly changed right now though!

[@peterbuknicz3993]

...

[@gta.shizzx3479]

6:14 bye!!!

[@pheonix5487]

Master escapest

[@Adam-TheLiftedKing]

@@pheonix5487 i wonder how many escaped before that

[@pheonix5487]

@@Adam-TheLiftedKing ah so you think they are a group of all master escapists

[@cheeburbur7836]

Fortnite must be erased ZA HANDO

[@charlieguppy5162]

How not to get runaway crickets = Put the tubs in the bathtub before opening the box and emptying the crickets. Works for me. 😂

[@giolicious]

Charlie Guppy or you can just pop a small hole in the bag they’re in and they go one by one

[@thatstheteasis8721]

Gio G not all crickets come in bags

[@AnimeShinigami13]

vermiculite is actually really good for planting mediteranian herbs. Its made by subjecting mica (a flakey shiny mineral) to heat in a kiln until it explodes.

[@leighbalius1821]

Not only that, but after being in the cricket bin, it is very nutrient dense for plants. Or add to your compost bin for a lighter, fluffier mix.

[@anofritz]

@6:10 , a cricket peeked out :D

[@MrHollywoodCoe]

lol good eye

[@jameslunetta8271]

I have a tarantula

[@randyhull4362]

Na he dipped

[@dgk780]

Alpha Cricket survived

[@asterroux1102]

Lmaooooooo he got yeeted hahaha

[@agungpurnomo8]

I came here coz out of nowhere a cricket was in my room. Turned my lamp off, was about to sleep and this critter started chirping. I have had plants in my room (quite alot) for a little over a year now and i know it is said that plants attract lives. But I have never seen a single cricket before plus, I live in a 27th floor of an apartment.

[@whitneybuxton6162]

A couple more tips for smell control: add baking soda to this substrate & add more air holes to the container

[@Helveteshit]

This particular container seemed to not have a lid. So I doubt air holes matter unless you mean for the substrate? Baking Soda is probably for neutralizing the Acid from excrement I reckon?

[@everythingallin4905]

I heard activated carbon works for odor control

[@JamesKing2understandinglife]

Thank you. I am glad to know how to do this and especially the time frames involved which are surprisingly quick and the 90 F temperature for hatching.

[@Lax-2702]

How do you keep it 90

[@butterflyintherain9851]

I just found 4 crickets in the backyard so here I am.

[@boi9246]

Do you catch them? Do you feed them? Do you make them as your pet?

[@foodlover1415]

Sundae Ü we could be VERY good friends😂

[@persephionie7412]

That's actually not good. Plus you shouldn't take animals out of there habitat. It's illegal in most areas. Plus they can have diseases, parasites and more. Just by 10 or 20 from a petstore. They are pretty cheap. :)

[@JL-iu7fk]

I really like them air fried, before that it was all about freezing them & it's awesome with magic shell, or chocolate syrup w/ ice cream. Better than granola, more nutritious. May sound gross but so is Life! Lol

[@persephionie7412]

@@amaii.1948 How do you know thats what shes doing lol. I mean I guess after a few generations of them it should be fine. And they are breed in captivity:)

[@samwichvr485]

I have two questions, 1. Why put the egg trays in a different kind of box, why not just an empty rearing tray? 2. How do you harvest the crickets for consumption.

[@cinqsaw4358]

Grab em

[@zachariahbarbour688]

Great video: followed these steps exactly and found instant and awesome results

[@lindacrawford4324]

Me! But I am a nanny to 2 turtles this Summer & Pet Store never has them. So considered starting a farm. Very detailed info. THANKS SO MUCH!

[@Jessicajil]

In order to supply water, I have been using the same system as ant breeders do ... I use little plastic tubes, and fill them with water, and plug the end with cotton wool. There's always a supply of water without the risk of drowning!

[@imainblastergeb]

Jessica Aidley the fuckers always find a way to drown

[@nicksmith3683]

@@imainblastergeb lmao

[@whitneybuxton6162]

I just use potatoes or apples

[@Jessicajil]

@@whitneybuxton6162 They seem to like pears too!

[@matthewfarrell317]

Yep, the tube and cotton wool, my ants love them, esp if I put sugar in there too lol

[@bigredram1979]

What do you use for a lid to keep them in the tub during this process.

[@asafawks]

6:13 who else saw the cricket jump out???

[@fisherstephenson630]

Such an awesome video! Thank you for the help, I had no idea it was so simple! I can't wait to try this myself!

[@kerriray4934]

I'm going to do this for my lizard, it really helps, thank you!

[@scottdavis681]

Thank you for sharing ❤. Normally a business would not do this as they would rather you continously buy from them instead of you being able to do for yourself. I have alot of chickens and plan to buy 1k each of crickets, soldier flies, & superworms from you this week so I can try to start breeding my own.

[@RickysFarmAndHatchery]

6:14 your box now has 999 crickets.

[@alexislegacy3389]

My OCD sparked when you put the soil in over the original substrate and some of the dirt fell in LOL. Love the video though. You speak very clearly.

[@SagaofaCrew]

did you know - CRICKETS MAKE WONDERFUL ACTORS!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGK0Z4mZgtigiZo

[@minecraftandmovies8298]

6:05 anyone notice that cricket pop his head out of the box?

[@kimberlieverschoor3814]

I did it!! I finally got pinheads!! They are so tiny!! Thanks for the video!!

[@archer9604]

the box of crickets was absolutely horrifying

[@badquality4069]

Archer960 deadass

[@lorinorthern253]

Archer960 can you use potatoes

[@thatstheteasis8721]

Lori Northern yes potato’s are very good for them

[@DarcyFinck]

yes even a box of 30 or 50 smells and makes me gag and grosses me out.

[@jules4818]

literally, I wasn't expecting them to be free in there, I thought they would be in some sort of container or bag lmao freaked me out for sure

[@sunraysbestdays]

Excellent video! Best I’ve seen of how to do the process successfully. Thank you for making it.

[@eh927]

thanks! i’m tired of having to go to the pet store and buying crickets for my toad all the time!

[@astergaster9262]

The secret to not losing any circkets is putting them in the fridge for a few minutes to enter dormancy but not long enough to die. But also, fantastic content, I am so excited to start my own colony!

[@8legs2fast95]

So helpful! I have 150+ tarantulas. So I can really use my own cricket farm.

[@Calburds]

Hi

[@gamersaurusrexg9348]

150 is insane!!!

[@cinqsaw4358]

Dang bruh is you a breeder or sum cuz you do not need that much

[@BrieyaSilverweb]

I live in an area with hard water with a high PH, so I use water treatment to get rid of the chlorine & a PH reducer to keep it from being toxic to the crickets and my other critters. For moister source which will not drown your pinheads - slices of squash seem to be a win. The pinheads need an egg crate to boot. I save my water beads for the adults crickets and my mealworms. The crickets are actually good with rabbit fodder food, like the Dubai roaches. Thank you for the video, I will see what I can do to start breeding my own. I've heard it is not easy due to how dry we are around here in NV. Here is hoping it works out.

[@thomasnorge224]

The great escape 6:14

[@wildesage4172]

Great video. Simple, cheap, and really easy to get a rolling breeding cycle going. It would've been good to know what kind of temps these tubs need to stay at (I'll just have to look it up). Thanks!

[@utalis47]

using a paintbrush works to move most bugs. i use a brush to move my isopods that are easily squished

[@TheCritterDepot]

utalis47 thanks for the tip!

[@her-myoh-nee1324]

Never would have thought to use that. Thanks

[@iamatiredyoungperson3866]

Whenever my isopods have babies and I need to move them I just plop a stick in there and bingewatch Netflix for a few hours. When I come back all the babbies are hugging the stick and ready to go for a ride and I just plonk that stick in their next container. It's kinda cute actually. I never would have thought to use a brush

[@lisavolk9493]

I use a microfiber duster (the kind with the dreadlocks, lol) for water distribution. I put it in a dish and soak it every day. The crickets love it. I give them orange slices, too, for a treat.

[@sk69to96]

what would be a great method of monitoring the temperature of your container holding the baby cricket eggs? Are there specific thermometers that you would recommend? Thank you for this content by the way!

[@swininger59]

Best advise I have seen on raising crickets and I have watched a bunch. Thank you

[@PikaRaichupikapika]

can you please do a how to video on how to breed and raise dubia roaches? they are by far the best protein for reptiles next to superworms.

[@lindastraker782]

Saitama One Punch Man ,there are videos on how to breed roaches,I breed my own and learned from KZbin,very easy to breed.

[@hellcat66able]

Watch exotics lair. He's done a couple of videos on them

[@specUVdust]

The vermiculite will soak up moisture from the fruit. You should put the pieces in a small plastic dish. I use the jello containers my kids eat. You can cut the sides to make the container more shallow.

[@NATUREBOYP]

Could you put buffalo beetles with crickets since they like to die off a lot? I was thinking the beetles would eat the dead ones and like reduce the smell

[@CosmoniYT]

they eat the live ones too.

[@jilliancrawford7577]

Mealworms and their beetle forms are good for that. They eat decaying plants and animals in the wild and are good for eating the dead bugs. Keep in mind though that this may mean needing a little extra food for everyone, but if offering a little extra is worth not having the smell or dead ones in the way, then I recommend it. Tbh I use mealworms to keep the bioactive enclosures for my hissers clean and I almost never worry about the uneaten food going bad. Idk if this is still a relevant question for you but I figured I'd answer just in case.

[@CosmoniYT]

@@jilliancrawford7577 well then the mealworms will start breeding in there.

[@jilliancrawford7577]

@@CosmoniYT Perhaps, but usually the pupating stage is long enough to allow for a good grace period of removing them before they overbreed.

[@UnisausS1]

I’m doin’ this for the 4 frogs I’m raising, & for my cats ! My cats just LOVE the male crickets when they sing ! When there’s no singing male crickets in the house, my cats go nuts lookin’ for them !! QUESTION 1 : I know the difference between a female & a male cricket ! When they get old enough to see the gender, wouldn’t it be best to separate them into their own gender bins to control the population ? QUESTION 2 : About when are they ready to lay eggs after hatching themselves ? QUESTION 3 : After the eggs have hatched into Pinhead Crickets, would it be ok to use the adult crickets as feeders; also to control population ?? I do this with the Mealworms. Also for best breeding, it’s 2-3 females per male cricket ! Hope you don’t mind me askin’ questions ! I also raise feeder mealworms ! Still learning with that one ! Everyone’s methods are different when it comes to raising mealworms ! I tell ya that one ! And you ARE correct ! It’s sooo my cheaper doin’ it yerself, than going to a pet shop & gettin’ what you need ! Getting everything you need right away for 1st set up is the only thing that cost the most ! After that, the only thing that costs, is more substrate & hydration foods ! Other than that, you handed out sooo much information in yer video, I’m sooo GREATFUL !! Ty !!!!

[@sherrioxley271]

do you COVER your containers while doing all of this? it only shows the inside of containers when you are setting it all up

[@cowabungacooking5817]

This depot is amazing 😉 PLUS free shipping ‼️ WOW!

[@Chellekathryn]

I have white’s tree frogs. What would I be able to feed the crickets so that they are properly gut loaded for my frogs?

[@mixmaster6226]

I'm starting breeding mealworms and crickets for breeding for my bearded dragon, and I'm using lettuce for my crickets for their food as well as water, the mealworms will take potatoes and oranges as well for vitamin C for your pet, now for frogs I assume this will work as well

[@alexandredaubricourt5741]

Wow that was really all I wanted to know packed in one video! Great job mate

[@eustacexxx]

Any tips on keeping flies away? I’ve tried this before and I had flys and their larvae in my bin 😭

[@TheCritterDepot]

You can try placing a screen over their bin. That would keep them from entering the bin. But a better method would be to have a small desk fan blowing across the bin. Flys will avoid fans because it's difficult for them to maneuver. And just practice good husbandry: clean out dead crickets and finished food products.

[@GBooneoh]

take out your trash you filthy pig!

[@GuiFalked]

Just a thought but in addition to vermiculite for helping odor control you might consider getting some organic lump charcoal (no igniters or fillers, just chunks of charred wood) and smashing it up to gravel size.

[@leetlebob8203]

Thought the title said chickens, this helps too though.

[@markbrabitz5972]

Very informative. Thanks for the video. I live in Fl. Fishing! Go through a lot of crickets. The closest place from me to get crickets is a 30 min ride. Not in a few weeks once I get them to start. Nope nope nope.

[@datdudetrent8938]

Watching this with headphones made that transfer terrifying. They were in my ear

[@TheCritterDepot]

DatDudeTrent and now they’re in your head muhaha

[@jakewisbey5712]

@@TheCritterDepot Jesus Christ..

[@h1d34w4y]

@@jakewisbey5712 jEsUs ChRisT shaddap

[@MdPorkchop]

Get yourself one of those little cvs massagers. They just vibrate and have 4 little nubs on them. It makes them release from the box.

[@davidharrison7853]

TOP TIP: You can't do this with Elephants, I've tried. 😁

[@mnts197]

Wish someone would have told me

[@davidharrison7853]

MN Ts 😋

[@yesyes1299]

@Asrath Qathreth r/woooosh

[@jaketapley7803]

Some Random Stuff no ur the r/woooooosh

[@yesyes1299]

@@jaketapley7803 r/ihavereddit

[@richellmcknight446]

Great video! I'm tired of all the crickets dying that I buy for Mr Peepers, my little frog! I bought some vermiculite already from Amazon but it didn't seem to make a difference- i was already giving them carrots and potatoes, but the fruit seems like a better idea! I see suggestions in the comments for a way to water them without them drowning by using a test tube stuffed with cotton, but what about a water bottle like you use with rodents? If the ball is small enough that a drop of water always stays on the tip, I would think that would work for them, wouldn't it? I have a feeling the water issue is my problem with them dying. I started with the Flukers orange cubes, but they don't seem to like that. Then I saw a video where they used carrots, so I tried that, and they loved them! But the water is still an issue. I will try all the things on the video and in the comments, Surely something will work! I hope, anyway, because I just bought 30 crickets at Petco, and I swear the girl put about 200 crickets in the bag!😂❤

[@assocpress]

10:14 I love how you're demonstrating how you're gonna LIFT them up. 😆😆😆

[@kristenlarson5461]

@ The Critter Depot...I usually don't loose any crickets when I empty my boxes. The key is having a deeper tub so you can put your shipping box all the way down in when you are emptying the box. My cricket bin is about 40 gal. I haven't tried breeding yet but I'm gonna try this & see how it works for us.

[@Coolbeqns]

This is what I've found to be the best a well. I have a very deep round plastic tub that I place another container in (or you can just dump them into the tub and then split them up). This method is very efficient and takes the frustration out. I have tried many different ways and landed on this one as the best!

[@stevevanrensburg]

This was really helpful all my crickets kept dying. I have got a red eyed tree frog

[@vocallocal7824]

Well made, informative and enjoyable video. Only wish you showed the transfer to rearing bin and showed a little more growth in the tiny critters, only because I wanted to keep enjoying the video a little longer, but well made! 👍

[@aaronbaransky60]

Extremely informative, Excellent!!

[@tommie827]

@TheCritter Depot Thanks for my crickets!! I started my cricket incubator and should be hatching in a week. It appears I have hatched some tiny ants. I used organic soil. Has this happened to anyone? UPDATE: A few weeks later..... They were baby crickets. I guess I need glasses!: I was told Baby Crickets couldn't climb out of the Aquarium. NOT TRUE! I lost a lot of crickets like this. I found them on the ant traps I put out. So, next time, I am not using the Aquarium unless I get a screened in lid. My 5 yr. old granddaughter (young sharp eyes) kept telling me they weren't ants and the crickets were escaping. *hoping I didn't start a problem with them getting into the walls and start breeding there. Good I put out the ant traps. So, This is why I didn't get as many baby crickets as I had hoped. I know a large amount escaped. I didn't have a couple incubators to separate sizes. So I am trying to do it by hand and it's not easy. I will do something different this next time, and only leave each egg laying substrate in no longer than 3 days, so the crickets will be similar in size. Another problem I have ran into is getting the last of the hatched small crickets out of the substrate. It seems they like to live in it. I am pleased, and have some adults, ready to breed again. My frogs are small so they cannot eat the crickets after they get too big which is too short of a time, until they grow more. I have too many large crickets for now. Any ideas?

[@safwanharis4116]

I have a praying mantis, what should i feed my cricket to avoid experiencing another "black death" of my mantis.. rip my old mantis

[@MisterBones223]

Shaved carrots/lettuce. Citrus fruits are bad

[@tomlaurenz7786]

Hi, awesome video🎉 What can I do with my crickets when they’re fully grown? Can I just put them outside?

[@wannesbogers4296]

6:05 Should i do it? Should i do it? Should he do it? I'm FREEEEE

[@Bubbadrew411]

Thank you soooooooo much! First vid I watched. Not the last. Super informative and helpful.

[@rogeldiaz4111]

Wow this video is awesome man thanks alot bro

[@TheCritterDepot]

anytime son

[@mailmanx69]

I get every last cricket into the keeper by refrigeration. A couple of hours in the fridge slows them all down, but it doesn't kill them. I can pour them all into the keeper without any jumping around. After an hour or so being back at normal temp, they act as if they were never in the fridge.

[@andreasurace4386]

I breed crickets in a rainforest themed terrarium and they do absolutely great

[@yadadsellsavon1703]

Andrea.S ants, Pets exotics but it’ll be ridiculously hard to catch any and maintenance will be INSANELY DIFFICULT, Your probably lying 😂

[@Helveteshit]

@@yadadsellsavon1703 It's a terrarium. The maintenance is done by Springtails, Isopods, Earthworms and potential plants. At least I assume he means a bio-active terrarium. Considering he wrote Rainforest.

[@andreasurace4386]

Helveteshit I don’t have it anymore, but yes it was managed by isopods

[@andreasurace4386]

Ya Dad Sells Avon it was easy to catch them when I needed them

[@awkdoubglam]

this is the prettiest setup ive ever seen

[@zachbenjamin1384]

I only need enough crickets to feed one full grown leopard gecko, will a ten gallon tank be a good enough breeding space?

[@TheCritterDepot]

10 gallons (40 quarts) should be enough. It does depend on the dimensions of the container. So as long as it has enough horizontal space, and it is well ventilated, the crickets will do well. I'm guessing your leopard gecko is eating about 30 crickets in a 15 minute time frame?

[@uccellolee]

@@TheCritterDepot what leopard gecko can eat 30 crickets unless you are feeding them feeders too small???? An adult leopard gecko will eat maybe 8 sub adult crickets every other day. Holy cow

[@joltjumps]

@@joshuahull9982 thanks any info on raising bugs in general?

[@joshuahull9982]

@@joltjumps you raise roaches pretty much the same way you raise crickets. With roaches you don't need substrate on the bottom. They need a heat source, egg crates to climb on and food and water. I would put the water in a dish with a few rocks in the dish so the roaches don't drown. I wouldn't mist the cage with water because mold will grow. The temperature should be between 82 to 90 degrees but not above 90 degrees. They can eat anything you would feed the crickets. Roaches have every advantage over crickets. Roaches live longer, breed faster and aren't susceptible to any viruses. Red runners are the fastest breeder of all the feeder roaches. I feed fruits and vegetables, dog food, cat food and fish food and they breed explosively.

[@joltjumps]

@@joshuahull9982 thanks brother

[@jaynetarzana]

Thank you so much for the video, but so far I have not had any luck after trying four fresh batches of hundreds of crickets from two separate sources. I am using a heat mat rather than an overhead lamp, otherwise, I am doing everything you suggest. I do find I need to mist the soil daily so it doesn't dry out. I could really use some advice on how to be successful at this. Cheers from Brisbane, Australia.

[@meowersmeow54]

I dont even have any reptiles or anything that eats crickets why am I watching this??? Still very informative.

[@JL-iu7fk]

They're actually a great thing to eat! In US think only place no one does that.

[@gyroofthyme]

7:25 Put the box of crickets in the fridge for several hours before placing them in their new environment. The temperature of the average fridge is not enough to harm them, but it will make them 'sleepy' so to speak. Much easier to handle, and will help prevent "runaway crickets" like OP mentioned. You can also use the freezer to speed it up, but those temperatures can kill crickets so be careful. I don't know the exact time it takes for crickets to die in the freezer so I can't recommend it

[@monxxet]

My lizards love crickets!!!

[@TheCritterDepot]

ramon Puerto then don’t be a stranger to our cricket contest. Every month we’re giving away a year supply of free crickets. forum.thecritterdepot.com/forums/topic/win-a-year-supply-of-free-crickets/

[@kevinpatty119]

At 6:13 You lost a cricket who wanted freedom! I liked your Video I am Getting My own Bearded Dragon soon and as you probably now they love crickets. So this video really helped a lot to be able to breed my own crickets. Thank You!