Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm trying to breed crickets (I have to say I'm alot better with rodents than insects) I have been having very little luck. About the only way I have been able to pull this off is to place a container of vermiculate with a few adult crickets in it in my incubator set at 85. The only problem is that this doesn't produce many crickets. I haven't had any luck with getting them to reproduce in the cricket bins, the vermiculate usually dries out petty quickly, plus I'm having a hard time keeping the bins heated. I have tried lamps but they die under the lamps, and under tank heaters don't seem to give off enough heat. I was wondering if raising them outdoors would work? Any input on this would be greatly appreciated, I would also like to hear how some of you guys get your crickets to reproducing. Thanks, Christy

>>I'm trying to breed crickets (I have to say I'm alot better with rodents than insects) I have been having very little luck. About the only way I have been able to pull this off is to place a container of vermiculate with a few adult crickets in it in my incubator set at 85. The only problem is that this doesn't produce many crickets. I haven't had any luck with getting them to reproduce in the cricket bins, the vermiculate usually dries out petty quickly, plus I'm having a hard time keeping the bins heated. I have tried lamps but they die under the lamps, and under tank heaters don't seem to give off enough heat. I was wondering if raising them outdoors would work? Any input on this would be greatly appreciated, I would also like to hear how some of you guys get your crickets to reproducing. Thanks, Christy

Well, I heat mine by putting them in the 'cooler' end of my herp room with the rodents. The roaches I run a flexwatt heat tape under. I would think they would do better with peat moss over vermic too, but that is an opinion. I also mist mine once a day.
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Sonya

I have put all my rubbermaid tubs for crix in a cabinet and keep the doors closed. I have then put strips of flex watt on the cabinet back and a thermostat inside the cabinet. This way I can keep them between 85 and 90*.

The humidity is very important. I think most people fail with crix because they let them dry out. Keep the crix container sealed with a good lid. They need some ventelation but not a great deal especially with pin heads and little ones.

Your egg laying substraight needs some substance to it. I mix in equal parts potting soil, vermiculite, and peat moss. This has to be kept moist at all times or the adults won't lay eggs in it or the eggs will dehydrate and die.

Giving your crix lots of fresh vegetables and greens also helps to keep the moisture up.

>>I have put all my rubbermaid tubs for crix in a cabinet and keep the doors closed. I have then put strips of flex watt on the cabinet back and a thermostat inside the cabinet. This way I can keep them between 85 and 90*.
>>
>>The humidity is very important. I think most people fail with crix because they let them dry out. Keep the crix container sealed with a good lid. They need some ventelation but not a great deal especially with pin heads and little ones.
>>
>>Your egg laying substraight needs some substance to it. I mix in equal parts potting soil, vermiculite, and peat moss. This has to be kept moist at all times or the adults won't lay eggs in it or the eggs will dehydrate and die.
>>
>>Giving your crix lots of fresh vegetables and greens also helps to keep the moisture up.

Very good point about the humidity. I keep it up by misting every evening. I gotta get my roaches in a more accessible to my kid's situation and am going to heat them on tape in tubs. Then I will keep more solid lids too.

I like the idea of a cabinet! I don't know where to keep them though!
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Sonya