Half the crickets are dead?

[bennylava]

How come every time I order 250 crickets off of amazon, half of them are dead? I've only done it twice, and a good portion of them are dead when I open the box. I just dump them all in the cricket tank, (10 gallon) and I can see them all dead down there. Now granted, many of them are alive. But if they're going to be half dead, they need to charge half the price?

Is it just because its winter time?

 

[gilliesexotics]

Hi, if they are getting cold during transit they will die. If you are buying 1" or the largest size you may want to go down to 1/2". Many places will send out expired breeders that have very little life left.

 

[bennylava]

So this is something that only happens in the winter? I only order the half inch ones. Has anyone had this happen in the other non-cold months?

 

[blazedragon]

i've been ordering from ghanns cricket farm and have been losing a few more than normal each shipment since the cold weather has set in.

 

[bennylava]

Well it looks like I'm buying my crickets from PetSmart all winter. At least they're all alive.

 

[blazedragon]

does the shipper put heat packs in the box with your crickets? nearest petsmart to me sells crickets at 12 cents ea, thats 4x the price of ghanns and most likely about the same for everywhere else.

 

[SpecialGreg]

Feed em dubia roaches

 

[bennylava]

I'd like to. Are they usually expensive?

 

[atochats]

I found a local closed forum facebook page and joined. Talked to two ppl close by who breed them bought 50 just today for under ten bucks. They are medium sized nymphs.

 

[Luvthemanimal]

bennylava where r u located?

 

[SpecialGreg]

They are very well priced. And if you email [email protected] she will help you out with any questions and ship you some nice healthy roaches in no time at all.

 

[timbalan]

I am actually getting ready to start a roach colony and she has been very helpful.

 

[Chrisw]

How come every time I order 250 crickets off of amazon, half of them are dead? I've only done it twice, and a good portion of them are dead when I open the box. I just dump them all in the cricket tank, (10 gallon) and I can see them all dead down there. Now granted, many of them are alive. But if they're going to be half dead, they need to charge half the price?

Is it just because its winter time?

Half die on transition. Crickets are very delicate. This always happens to my boxes too. They are all shipped alive, but half come dead. Could be from rough handling the box, not enough food, crickets eating one another because they are in such a small space, and etc...

Best to just breed roaches