How to Keep Feeder Crickets From Dying

Download Article

A simple guide to caring for crickets for reptiles & other pets

Co-authored by Samuel Ramsey, PhD and Devin McSween

Last Updated: December 13, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Habitat Set Up

|

Feeding Crickets

|

Caring for Crickets

|

Video

|

Expert Q&A

|

Tips

If you’re keeping crickets to feed to your reptiles, fish, or other pets, you probably want to maximize the number of insects that you keep alive. Luckily, creating a healthy environment for crickets is pretty easy. We spoke with entomologist Dr. Samuel Ramsey to learn the best ways to house and feed crickets to help extend their lifespan. Read on to learn more!

Best Ways To Keep Your Crickets Alive

To keep crickets alive, keep them in a container that has plenty of ventilation. Then, add several egg cartons and paper towel rolls so the crickets have places to hide. Feed the crickets uncooked oatmeal or cricket food and provide them with pieces of fruit or a soaked cotton ball for water.

Section 1 of 3:

Setting Up a Habitat for Crickets

Download Article

1
Get a tank that can house 100 crickets per 1 gallon (3.8 L). Dr. Ramsey says crickets need “space to span out,” so it’s important to “make sure that they are not raised in very heavy density.” Get the largest glass or plastic terrarium or storage container that you can find to house them in. A general rule is to keep no more than 100 crickets per 1 gallon (3.8 L). ^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Samuel Ramsey, PhD
Entomologist

Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}
- For instance, if you want to keep 500 crickets, get a container that’s at least 5 gallons (19 L).
- Dr. Ramsey says it’s important not to overcrowd your container with crickets, as “over-density causes them to typically resort to cannibalism.” ^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Samuel Ramsey, PhD
  Entomologist
  
  Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}
2
Ensure the container has plenty of ventilation. While crickets of course need air to breathe, Dr. Ramsey says “striking that right balance between humid but not too humid is really important to keeping your crickets alive and healthy.” Get a lid for your tank or container that has a mesh screen or air vents, or drill lots of small holes through the lid. Just make sure the holes are small enough so the crickets can’t escape. ^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Samuel Ramsey, PhD
Entomologist

Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}
- Too much humidity can lead to mold and bacteria growth, which can harm your crickets.
- According to Dr. Ramsey, “if you start seeing blue or green mold on things or grayish spots that look a bit fuzzy” that are “starting to develop on food or on the sides of the enclosure, that is a clear sign that things have gotten too humid.” ^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Samuel Ramsey, PhD
  Entomologist
  
  Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}
- If your enclosure is very humid, Dr. Ramsey suggests adding more ventilation or placing hamster bedding on the bottom of the container, as it “can hold a level of moisture while also reducing the amount of it that is just ambient in the air.” ^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Samuel Ramsey, PhD
  Entomologist
  
  Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}
Advertisement
3
Clean the tank with a mild bleach solution to remove bacteria. Before you put the crickets into the tank, make sure that it is clean. Mix 1 part bleach with 10 parts cold water. Then, dampen a rag with the solution and use it to wipe down the inside of the tank. Let the tank completely dry before housing your crickets. ^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Wear gloves and a mask and work in a well-ventilated area when using bleach.
- An unclean tank may contain harmful bacteria or chemicals that could make your crickets sick.
- Do not use other chemical cleaners, as they could be harmful to the crickets.
4
Add egg crates and paper towel rolls to give your crickets shelter. Get a few cardboard egg crates and cover about ⅔ of the bottom of the tank with them. Then, add 1 or 2 cardboard paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls. Dr. Ramsey agrees that shelter is important and says, “Crickets should have multiple areas of refuge” because they “are animals that don't like to just be out in the open.” ^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Samuel Ramsey, PhD
Entomologist

Expert Interview. 20 January 2021.}
- Adding egg cartons and paper towel rolls also gives your crickets more surface area in the container, allowing them to space out so they aren’t as crowded.
- Feel free to stack the egg cartons or lean the rolls against the side of the container. If you’re stacking cartons, place a piece of cardboard in between them.
- Without shelter and enough space, the crickets may fight each other for space.
5
Keep the cricket tank between 75–90 °F (24–32 °C) at all times. Place the crickets’ habitat in a dark area that maintains a steady temperature to keep the crickets healthy. If the temperature in the tank is too cold, the crickets may die or eat each other. If the temperature is too hot, the cricket's lifespan may shorten. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
- If you live in a cooler area, set a heat lamp over the top of the crickets’ habitat to keep them warm.
6
Place the new crickets in their habitat as soon as you get home. Crickets don’t do well in small, confined spaces. So, don’t keep the crickets in their carrying box for too long, or they may die. Transfer them to the clean tank as soon as you get home.
- Make sure there are adequate air holes in the top of the box that you use to transport the crickets home.
- Most crickets come in a cardboard box or plastic bag. Simply tap the box or bag a few times to get the crickets to settle at the bottom. Then, dump the box or bag into their habitat.

Section 2 of 3:

Feeding Crickets

Download Article

1
Feed your crickets oatmeal, cricket food , or fish flakes . Put uncooked oatmeal, cricket food, or fish flakes in a shallow dish in the tank. These foods provide the crickets with enough nutrients to ensure they make a good meal for your pets! And don’t worry, crickets won’t typically overeat. ^{[9]
X
Research source}
- As a plus, oatmeal, cricket food, and fish flakes are dry, so they don’t spoil very quickly.
- Crickets are omnivores, so they like to eat lots of different grains, fruits, vegetables, and small insects. Some other food options include non-sugary cereals, cornmeal, carrots, potatoes, oranges, mustard greens, and ground-up dog or cat food.
- If you have a lot of crickets, add a few dishes of food around the container so the crickets aren’t competing for 1 food source.
2
Add a damp cotton ball or piece of fruit as a water source. Crickets can drown very easily in a small dish of water. For this reason, it’s best to give them water from another source, like a cotton ball soaked in water or a small piece of apple, orange, carrot, or peach. The crickets are able to suck out the moisture from the cotton ball or fruit. ^{[10]
X
Research source}
- As an alternative, place water gel crystals in a shallow dish to hydrate your crickets. These crystals hold water inside that the crickets can suck out.
3
Keep fresh food and water in the tank at all times. Always have a food and water source inside the tank so your crickets can feed and drink when they need to. Just keep the food fresh by throwing it out and filling it back up once or twice a week. If you’re using fruit or vegetables, replace them every day so they don’t rot and introduce bacteria inside the tank.
- Crickets won't overeat, so don't worry about overfeeding them.
- If you’re using water gel crystals, check on and replace them every few days, as they can grow mold.

Section 3 of 3:

Tips for Caring for Crickets

Download Article

1
Clean the tank twice a month to keep your crickets healthy. Carefully remove the crickets and place them in another box with breathing holes. Simply wipe down the bottom of the tank, making sure to remove any feces or dead crickets that remain. Then, use your diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts cool water) and a rag to wipe down the inside of the tank to sanitize it. ^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Dead crickets and feces can make your crickets sick.
2
Cover the bottom of the tank with vermiculite to reduce smells. Vermiculite is a natural mineral that can help reduce moisture and absorb smells in your crickets’ tank. Simply spread a ½ to 1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) layer on the bottom of the container before adding in your crickets. ^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Make sure to change out the vermiculite every time you clean the tank.
- Crickets may have a slight smell, but they tend to smell more when they’re dead. So, keeping a regular cleaning schedule can help with smells, too.
3

Choose a hardier species of crickets, like banded crickets. It’s natural for a few crickets to die in their habitat, as they typically only live for 1 to 3 months. However, some species of crickets may be easier to keep alive. For instance, many reptile owners prefer keeping banded crickets because they tend to notice fewer deaths and they have a longer lifespan. ^{[13]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Do crickets need high humidity?

Samuel Ramsey, PhD
Entomologist
Dr. Samuel Ramsey is an Entomologist and a researcher with the United States Department of Agriculture. Dr. Ramsey has extensive knowledge of symbiosis and specializes in insect disease spread, parasite behavior, mutualism development, biological control, invasive species ecology, pollinator health, and insect pest control. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Entomology from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Maryland. Dr. Ramsey’s research on bees has enabled researchers to develop targeted control techniques to restore honey bee populations worldwide. He also hosts a YouTube series called “Dr. Buggs.”

Samuel Ramsey, PhD

Entomologist

Expert Answer

Crickets like a fairly moist, humid environment. It's important to make sure that you allow for some elements of moisture to be present in a little cricket enclosure. Make sure that you allow the crickets to have some sort of source of water. However, don't make it so humid that fungi begin to grow. If you start seeing blue or green mold on things or grayish spots that look a bit fuzzy, that is a clear sign that things have gotten too humid and you should take some steps to reduce the humidity.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 16
Question

Does it matter how many crickets I keep in one tank?

Samuel Ramsey, PhD
Entomologist
Dr. Samuel Ramsey is an Entomologist and a researcher with the United States Department of Agriculture. Dr. Ramsey has extensive knowledge of symbiosis and specializes in insect disease spread, parasite behavior, mutualism development, biological control, invasive species ecology, pollinator health, and insect pest control. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Entomology from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Maryland. Dr. Ramsey’s research on bees has enabled researchers to develop targeted control techniques to restore honey bee populations worldwide. He also hosts a YouTube series called “Dr. Buggs.”

Samuel Ramsey, PhD

Entomologist

Expert Answer

Make sure that they are not raised in very heavy density. The crickets should have space to span out. If there are too many crickets, they can become stressed out and resort to cannabilism.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 19
Question

Should I give my crickets shelter or any hiding places?

Samuel Ramsey, PhD
Entomologist
Dr. Samuel Ramsey is an Entomologist and a researcher with the United States Department of Agriculture. Dr. Ramsey has extensive knowledge of symbiosis and specializes in insect disease spread, parasite behavior, mutualism development, biological control, invasive species ecology, pollinator health, and insect pest control. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Entomology from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Maryland. Dr. Ramsey’s research on bees has enabled researchers to develop targeted control techniques to restore honey bee populations worldwide. He also hosts a YouTube series called “Dr. Buggs.”

Samuel Ramsey, PhD

Entomologist

Expert Answer

Yes, the crickets should have multiple areas of refuge. Crickets are animals that don't like to just be out in the open. They become very stressed out and stress can actually lead to their death. An overturned half coconut could be a good shelter, but make sure you have enough of them so your crickets don't overcrowd inside of it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 17

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Reader Videos

Submit a Video Tip!

Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!

Submit a Video

Tips

For a hardier, longer-lasting insect to feed to your reptiles or other pets, try keeping dubia roaches .

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Potato slices are always a good option for your crickets to eat. When using potatoes, be sure to remove them in a few days as potatoes mold quickly after being cut.
Always add places for the crickets to hide within your cricket enclosure.
Try to keep the cricket cage moist by spraying it daily with warm water.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!