Cricket Farming: The Basics

Commonly Reared Species

Acheta domesticus, Gryollodes sigillatus, Gryllus bimaculatus (outside US), gryllus assimilis

Temperature And Humidity

87-92 degrees F (27-33 degrees Celsius).

20-30% RH, Avoid above 40%.

Incubate and hatch hotter and wetter. Breed at ~72 degrees F (22 degrees Celsius).

Lifecycle

Incubation: 9-14 days.

Time from hatch to harvest: 4-5 weeks.

Sexual maturity: 6-8 weeks.

Basic Equipment

Basics for a quick start listed below. Click each item for an in-depth exploration.

Bin: apply 2 layers of smooth packing tape around the top to prevent escapes.

Housing: (Typically egg filler flats or box dividers).

Watering Source: (Potatoes/carrots/squash, chicken waterers with sponges, or other).

Feed Tray & Feed: Tupperware lids, cafeteria trays, long shallow wooden troughs, etc.

Laying trays (if breeding): pie tins with coconut coir or peat moss.

Feed

Dry feed: 16-21% chicken feed. Best is egg layer. The finer ground, the better.

Moist feed: Rabbit pellets (rehydrate before use).

Additional water sources: melons, root vegetables, squash and pumpkins, etc.

Daily Activities

Replace feed every 2-3 days, or if crust or mold forms.

Replace water every 3-5 days, or when empty.

Clean out any wet frass, feed, etc.

Laying

Add breeding tray 3-5 days after most crickets are chirping (females chewing on housing). Remove after full (24 hours or less). Lay 3 times, 1 day between each.

Harvesting

Remove feed and water trays.

Remove housing, shaking crickets off.

Use harvesting techniques to speed process.

Bag and freeze bugs.

Cricket Population Density/Production

All numbers are based on 280 mg average weight adult crickets.