How to Raise & Set Up Your Cricket Kit
🦗 How to Set Up and Raise Feeder Crickets
To begin, you’ll need at least two 20-gallon plastic totes (not included) — one for adults, one for babies. A heat source and a few basic supplies are also required.
Your G&T Country Living kit includes a shallow plastic container for egg-laying, peat moss for substrate, topsoil for egg-laying, water gel crystals for hydration, cardboard egg flats for habitat, two lids for food and water, and a misting bottle.
You’ll also need a heat lamp or heat pad and window screen (to cover ventilation holes and the egg-laying container). These items are not included in the kit.
🛠 Step-by-Step Setup
1. Prepare the Tote
Cut two 6-inch ventilation holes in each tote lid and securely glue window screen over each hole to prevent escapes.
2. Add the Substrate
Spread the peat moss evenly across the bottom of the tote. This keeps the environment clean and absorbs moisture.
3. Create the Egg-Laying Zone
Fill the shallow container with topsoil. Mist the soil lightly to keep it moist but not soggy, then place the container in one corner of the tote. Cover the topsoil with a piece of window screen cut to fit, which prevents crickets from digging into the soil and eating the eggs.
4. Set Up Food and Water
Nestle the two lids into the peat moss. One should be filled with water gel crystals, and the other with cricket feed or gut load.
5. Add Habitat
Fill the remaining space with the egg flats. Stack them loosely, allowing vertical space for the crickets to spread out. Leave about 6 to 8 inches of space from the top to prevent escapes.
6. Apply Heat
Use a heat source to maintain a consistent temperature between 80–90°F. Always monitor the temperature to avoid overheating or damaging the container.
🐣 Hatching Baby Crickets
Once male crickets begin chirping, mating has started. Within 7 to 10 days, the topsoil will be full of tiny white eggs, similar in appearance to rice grains.
To hatch them, remove the egg-laying container and place it (without the screen) into a second tote. Maintain warmth and humidity using the same heating and misting setup. Baby crickets (nymphs) will begin to hatch within a week.
👶 Raising the Babies
Baby crickets need the same care as adults. Provide a peat moss substrate, lids with water crystals and feed, and stacked egg flats for hiding. Keep up with daily misting, monitor temperature, and feed regularly.
♻️ Repeat the Cycle
Once your baby crickets grow and start chirping, place a new egg-laying container in their tote to restart the breeding cycle.
🏆 Why Our Kits Stand Out
Our kits are beginner-friendly and include nearly everything you need to get started. With clear instructions and quality materials like topsoil and hydration crystals, raising your own feeders becomes a simple, rewarding process.
💡 Pro Tips
Prevent mold by removing uneaten food regularly and replacing water crystals. Keep the environment warm and humid for best results. Inspect totes often for mold or mites, and clean as needed every 1–2 weeks.
🐛 Important: Preventing Grain Infestations
At G&T Country Living, we care about quality. One issue in feeder insect care is the potential for corn weevils and mites in stored grains.
Corn weevils are small beetles that lay eggs inside grain, reducing its quality. Mites thrive in damp environments and spread quickly.
To prevent this, we freeze all grain in your kit for 72 hours before shipping. This kills all stages of corn weevils, mites, and their eggs. We also store grains in clean, dry environments.
To keep your grain clean, always store it in airtight containers. Refrigeration is best. If that’s not an option, store feed in a cool, dry place with humidity below 50%. Inspect grain regularly for movement or dust, and when in doubt, freeze it for 72 hours.
📬 Need More Help?
Visit www.gtcountryliving.com for more tips, troubleshooting, and updates. You’re not just raising crickets — you’re creating a steady, affordable food source for your reptiles with full control. We’re here to help every step of the way.