Dead Crickets

shannnak · #1 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 04:26 AM

Hi All,

I'm having a problem with my crickets. I buy 40 at a time, which is supposed to last for a week. However, after a few days they always die. I have them in clean vases that are dry and I obviously feed them. It's getting really annoying to have to go buy crickets every few days. Any ideas?

Thanks!
Shannan

Fishinfl321 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 04:30 AM

I'm not that experienced with crickets, but it could be temperature or dehydration, not sure though.

Troy

titan501x · #3 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 04:32 AM

are they getting plenty of ventalation?

shannnak · #4 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 04:34 AM

They unquestionably have enough ventilation. I don't know about dehydration - The exotics store where I bought them said to make sure that the crickets were not damp, so I have been making an effort to keep the vase they are in dry. Do you know how much moisture is too much?

Watch, this will end up getting as complicated as keeping the frog's temperatures steady!

Fishinfl321 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 04:43 AM

I have seen small sponges or vegetables that hold water kept with crickets to hydrate, but I don't know for sure. Maybe someone else will chime in.

Troy

Dancing frogs · #6 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 05:38 AM

How big of crickets?
They should always have a source of moisture, be it from fruits and veggies, a water dish, or what have you.

SusannahJoy · #7 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 06:50 AM

They dont like it humid, but they still need water. I use the orange cube things you can get any any petstore, and they last for awhile.

Dancing frogs · #8 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SusannahJoy

They dont like it humid, but they still need water. I use the orange cube things you can get any any petstore, and they last for awhile.

Some info to consider if you use gel like substances for cricket or roach hydration:
http://www.dartden.com/viewtopic.php?t=1626

SusannahJoy · #9 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 07:48 AM

Quote:

SusannahJoy wrote:
They dont like it humid, but they still need water. I use the orange cube things you can get any any petstore, and they last for awhile.

Some info to consider if you use gel like substances for cricket or roach hydration:
http://www.dartden.com/viewtopic.php?t=1626

The orange cubes have more of a apple constancy though, not very gel like, are they still bad? I thought that only referred to the little rock like things that turn into gel with water?

tha3rdman · #10 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 12:39 PM

I buy by the 1000 usually 3/8 inch, I have corn meal and carrots in there as food, Carrots because they don't rot or mold, just dry up, corn meal because it doesn't mold as easily as oatmeal.

If the have lots of ventilation, a source of water (ie the carrot), and food (corn meal, cricket feed, oatmeal) then I would ask, what do you clean the vessel you have them in with?

EDIT: By the way if you buy by the 1000's you'll spend less then you do on 4 dozen a week.