Depending on the size the crickets were when purchased, they can live a varying amount of time. Alot of which depends on the care of them once they
reach your hands. As a general rule of thumb aim to keep no more then you can use in 2-4 weeks.
To care for crickets keep them in a warm place (average room temperature is good) and have food available constantly. There are many gutloads or
cricket diets available that are safe to feed to the crickets constantly. Also, some of the gutloads and diets contain the moisture required for the crickets,
usually coming in cubes that resemble gelatine. Another option is to feed fresh fruits and vegetable to the crickets, as this provides them with nutrition
and moisture. You may also use cotton balls placed in small cup or lid filled with water to help prevent the crickets from drowning. Please make sure to
wash the fruits and vegetables carefully as they could still have pesticides on them that will kill the crickets. Also, which fruits and vegetables you feed to
the crickets will affect their nutritional value, so vary it as much as possible. Do not let mouldy food sit in the cricket container, as mouldy food has been
linked to many problems and deaths in otherwise healthy animals.
Unfortunately, freshly shipped crickets are usually not very nutritionally complete, between packing, shipping and the time they are sold they are very
hungry and are usually packed with a piece of carrot or potatoe.
One way to help improve this is to feed the crickets high quality foods prior to feeding them to your pet. I'm sure you have heard of the term "You are
what you eat" well this is very true even with Bearded Dragons! This process is called gutloading. Gutloading should take place for 24-48 hours prior to
when you intend to feed the crickets to your Dragon. This requires some planning, but is well worth it. Please note that gutloaded crickets should still be
dusted with calcium and vitamins as per your veterinarian's recommendations.
If you feed crickets straight out of the box and don't gutload or feed your crickets you are giving your dragon next to no nutrition so essentially you are
literally throwing away your money. Food for thought?
I can't stress this enough but VENTILATION VENTILATION VENTILATION!!!!! Crickets need tons of ventilation. Please don't make the mistake I made
when I first got started. I thought a couple of holes on the lid of a rubbermade bin would suffice afterall they are little "bugs". WRONG! lol To make a
long story short... It was the most repulsive & horrifying sight, smell and umm... I was physically ill. Cricket soup anyone?! Ugh! Every single one was
dead and they were all rotten muck. They are living breathing creatures and between the food, their own breathing, the humidity was an experience I
won't soon forget!
reach your hands. As a general rule of thumb aim to keep no more then you can use in 2-4 weeks.
To care for crickets keep them in a warm place (average room temperature is good) and have food available constantly. There are many gutloads or
cricket diets available that are safe to feed to the crickets constantly. Also, some of the gutloads and diets contain the moisture required for the crickets,
usually coming in cubes that resemble gelatine. Another option is to feed fresh fruits and vegetable to the crickets, as this provides them with nutrition
and moisture. You may also use cotton balls placed in small cup or lid filled with water to help prevent the crickets from drowning. Please make sure to
wash the fruits and vegetables carefully as they could still have pesticides on them that will kill the crickets. Also, which fruits and vegetables you feed to
the crickets will affect their nutritional value, so vary it as much as possible. Do not let mouldy food sit in the cricket container, as mouldy food has been
linked to many problems and deaths in otherwise healthy animals.
Unfortunately, freshly shipped crickets are usually not very nutritionally complete, between packing, shipping and the time they are sold they are very
hungry and are usually packed with a piece of carrot or potatoe.
One way to help improve this is to feed the crickets high quality foods prior to feeding them to your pet. I'm sure you have heard of the term "You are
what you eat" well this is very true even with Bearded Dragons! This process is called gutloading. Gutloading should take place for 24-48 hours prior to
when you intend to feed the crickets to your Dragon. This requires some planning, but is well worth it. Please note that gutloaded crickets should still be
dusted with calcium and vitamins as per your veterinarian's recommendations.
If you feed crickets straight out of the box and don't gutload or feed your crickets you are giving your dragon next to no nutrition so essentially you are
literally throwing away your money. Food for thought?
I can't stress this enough but VENTILATION VENTILATION VENTILATION!!!!! Crickets need tons of ventilation. Please don't make the mistake I made
when I first got started. I thought a couple of holes on the lid of a rubbermade bin would suffice afterall they are little "bugs". WRONG! lol To make a
long story short... It was the most repulsive & horrifying sight, smell and umm... I was physically ill. Cricket soup anyone?! Ugh! Every single one was
dead and they were all rotten muck. They are living breathing creatures and between the food, their own breathing, the humidity was an experience I
won't soon forget!
Written by: Robin Moniz 2006
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