Crickets and substrate

[Roland Slinger]

I just bought a few crickets in hopes of breeding them, can I just dump an inch or two of peat moss in the container and not replace for at least a month or two, or will it become infected with fungus or other nasties relatively quick?

I really don't want to be replacing newspapers every few days or every week and taking the crickets in and out constantly to do that

 

[Finntroll86]

I have used Coco fiber for the substrate in my cricket terrarium, after about a week or so i start to see pinheads walking around, plus it is very resistant to mold and fungi, but I sure you will develop lots of mites. I don't know much about peat other than it releases chemical compounds that slow decomposition due to preventing aerobic bacteria, but i believe that only occurs in LARGE and compacted areas w/ many layers. Hope that's helpful.