How to Care for Crickets in Bulk

Pet owners often feed crickets to their bearded dragons and other reptiles. Rather than buying small amounts of crickets every week, it may be more efficient to keep your own crickets. Crickets do not require a great deal of care. For example, their housing unit should only need cleaning about once a week. If you have other pets, such as cats, keep your crickets in an area where they will not become inadvertent prey. Crickets can also be noisy, so place them in an out-of-the-way area of your home.

Things You'll Need

  • Housing unit
  • Egg cartons
  • Jar lid
  • Shallow dish
  • Water
  • Cricket feed
  • Baby cereal
  • Vegetables
  • Whisk broom
  • Dust pan
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Instructions

    • 1

      As soon as you get them, transfer the crickets to their housing unit. If you order the crickets by mail, do not allow the package to sit outside. Plan on being home when you expect the package. If the package sits outside, the crickets may die.

    • 2

      Remove the egg cartons from the package holding the crickets. Tear them in half or thirds and put them in the housing unit along with the crickets. The egg cartons give the crickets hiding places. A plastic bin with slick sides, so that the crickets cannot climb out, makes an acceptable housing unit. If you have about 1,000 crickets, you'll need a 10-gallon plastic bin.

    • 3

      Place a jar lid or a shallow dish filled with water in the housing unit. Remove and fill this with fresh water daily.

    • 4

      Feed your crickets daily. Pet supply stores often stock bulk cricket feed. If you choose to use this, follow the directions on the product for the proper amount. Or, you may fill a jar lid with baby cereal (such as oatmeal flakes and mixed grains) and place it in the housing unit. You may also add a few leaves of mustard or collard greens daily.

    • 5

      Remove dead crickets as soon as you notice them.

    • 6

      Clean the housing unit about once a week. Remove the water container and any remaining food. Gently knock the crickets off the egg cartons. Then, knock the egg cartons over a waste bin to remove the excrement. Whisk the crickets gently to one side of the housing unit with a small hand-held whisk broom. Sweep up the excrement.

    • 7

      Place the egg cartons into the cleaned side and whisk the crickets gently over to them. Clean the other half of the housing unit with the whisk broom. Re-distribute the egg cartons evenly. Replace the water dish.