Breeding crix outside

[kupo969]

I'm in the FL and looking for a main source of food for my male pyxie.

The main reason for keeping the crickets outside is to not spend extra cash on heating multiple bins/noise/smell. Does anyone keep feeders outside? What do you do to keep other tiny bugs from getting inside your colonies (crix, roaches, w/e you breed outside)?

 

[wraith]

I suggest breeding Blatta Lateralis instead. They breed quicker, have no smell or noise, don't climb, they live longer, don't die as easily, and will eat anything (including the stray bug that might get into your container. Mine have eaten beetles in the past). You can get them really cheap from www.blaberus.com the guy that runs it, James, is really nice and keeps you updated at every step and even provides advice for setting it up.

If you're set on crickets though I suggest using plastic steralite containers, lots of egg crates, and melting a rectangular hole in the lid and hot gluing a mesh screen over the opening. If you're keeping them in an area were water might get in be sure to put a small shed of some kind over them. Crickets are very sensitive to drowning. It's the whole reason cricket quencher was developed.

 

[eelnoob]

When I used to keep pyxies I raised both Dubia and Discoid roaches.

 

[EightLeggedFrea]

You can also feed nightcrawlers. My fattie of a female Pyxie goes nuts over those. And you get them relatively cheap at any Wal-Mart.

 

[Matt K]

You can also feed nightcrawlers. My fattie of a female Pyxie goes nuts over those. And you get them relatively cheap at any Wal-Mart.

The Wal-Marts near me don't have nightcrawlers.... it may be a regional thing.

If you breed any bug outside remember you have to deal with rain flooding your culture, lots of other bugs wanting to live in your culture, and your culture wanting to leave as there will be insect-eating natives looking for a handy buffet.....

 

[scottyk]

I suggest breeding Blatta Lateralis instead.

Just FYI- Roaches are illegal to keep in Florida and a few other states. Probably why the OP is looking into crix...

 

[kupo969]

You can also feed nightcrawlers. My fattie of a female Pyxie goes nuts over those. And you get them relatively cheap at any Wal-Mart.

The Wal-Marts near me don't have nightcrawlers.... it may be a regional thing.

If you breed any bug outside remember you have to deal with rain flooding your culture, lots of other bugs wanting to live in your culture, and your culture wanting to leave as there will be insect-eating natives looking for a handy buffet.....

My local walmart does not sell them. I use NCs as his staple for now, but they are 12@$3 and change. Not very cost effective (long drive as well).

That is why I am asking, what precautions can I take to stop this? Insect cloth? Place colonies on a table, deli cups on table legs, vaseline, etc.(???)

Just FYI- Roaches are illegal to keep in Florida and a few other states. Probably why the OP is looking into crix...

Very much why I am looking into crix, ty for clarifying.

I'm still looking for advice on keeping feeders outside without problems. Does not matter if it's for roaches, crix, w/e breeder you keep outside. Same methods can be used for any, and still looking for any advice on this.

 

[GiantVinegaroon]

I'm kinda skeptical on breeding crickets outside...especially in florida...that state has enough exotic fauna already...idk if Acheta domestica is already established there...but that would stink seeing them establish in the wild, allowing everyone to experience how horrific these guys smell...

There's gotta be a non smely bug you can raise indoors that's not a hassle or illegal

Personally I think it's downright impossible to keep crickets outside without problems. When those little babies are born, they're super tiny. they could possibly dig their way out of an outdoor setup. Also you'll want them contained, and ventilation will have to be required. Thing is, this is Florida we're talking about. It rains alot down there. the water will go in through ventilation holes, and raise the humidity, and possibly drown crickets, and eggs. You'd also have to worry about possible flooding of the container, and little crickets escaping through the ventilation with the water. Dont forget Florida is very humid. High humidity can spell death for your crickets. AND you have to worry about keeping animals from getting in with the crickets. Keeping them outside leaves them exposed to all sorts of critters, especially parasites and worms that you don't want your pet eating. Wow I realized somebody already mentioned this all lol!

Also, you're feeding 1 pyxie. What is going to happen to the hundreds, if not thousands, of other crickets that you have? A pyxie does fine on a few crickets a week, and doesn't even get fed on a daily basis. Unless you're 100% positive you can sell lots of crickets, I wouldn't bother.

 

[kupo969]

There's gotta be a non smely bug you can raise indoors that's not a hassle or illegal

I hear you, there has to be a way!

Personally I think it's downright impossible to keep crickets outside without problems.

The more I keep thinking of ways to keep bugs out, the more impossible it becomes.

When those little babies are born, they're super tiny. they could possibly dig their way out of an outdoor setup.

Huh? I do plan on keeping these outside in tubs, not free range. Packing tape does the job well.

Thing is, this is Florida we're talking about. It rains alot down there. the water will go in through ventilation holes, and raise the humidity, and possibly drown crickets, and eggs. You'd also have to worry about possible flooding of the container, and little crickets escaping through the ventilation with the water. Dont forget Florida is very humid. High humidity can spell death for your crickets.

Rain is no prob, but the humidity might be.

AND you have to worry about keeping animals from getting in with the crickets. Keeping them outside leaves them exposed to all sorts of critters, especially parasites and worms that you don't want your pet eating.

#1 reason why I posted this thread. I was thinking of using insect cloth/pantyhose, but don't think that will stop everything.

Also, you're feeding 1 pyxie. What is going to happen to the hundreds, if not thousands, of other crickets that you have? A pyxie does fine on a few crickets a week, and doesn't even get fed on a daily basis.

My pyxie ate 40-50 adult crix bi-daily (when I fed crix) and is no where near obese. These guys are bottomless pits!

I'm going to try to come up with more methods to complete this (if I can). Although, statistically, I'd end up losing vs bugs/humidity.

 

[wraith]

Wow that is a lot of crickets. I have friends that don't go through that many with multiple T's, and Bearded Dragons.

 

[kupo969]

Wow that is a lot of crickets. I have friends that don't go through that many with multiple T's, and Bearded Dragons.

Yup. A while back I searched google and saw a forum saying that pyxies can put a large dent/destroy dubia colonies. Dunno if it's true or not but I would not doubt it.