Cricket HousingHousing CricketsFor 1000 crickets, you will need a 10 gallon aquarium size container, minimum. If you are housing only a 10 - 20 crickets, a yogurt container or two will do the trick. For more crickets, a large rubbermaid container works well. Crickets should be kept at 70 - 75 degrees (room temperature), or 85 degrees for breeders and babies. A human heating pad under the tank (set to low) can raise the temperature safely.Whatever container you use, you will also need a jar lid or other container for the gutload mix, a water pillow or other moisture source, a lid or screen to keep crickets from escaping (do not use fiberglass screening - the crickets can eat through it), and several egg crates. A piece of well secured cloth, screening, or a plastic lid with several holes drilled or melted into it works well as a lid for the cricket housing. Make sure there is good ventiliation. To prevent crickets from climbing, use 2" packing tape around the inside top of their housing. Add several egg crates or tissue paper tubes for extra hiding areas for the crickets. If you choose to use egg crates, stacking them vertically (rather than laying them flat) will provide the most area. If you order crickets, when they first arrive, they will be in a box. To transfer them to the container without too many escapees, open the box in your cricket container. Holding it closed, turn the container upside-down, then shake the crickets out. Clean your cricket enclosure once a week to prevent die off. Push all the crickets/accessories to one side of the enclosure, and wipe with a damp paper towel. Repeat on the other side. Replace old gutload, and remove any old vegetables or dead crickets. |