The Complete Cricket Breeding Manual
“With Automated Feeding and Cleaning Systems, Crickets can now be kept with less Time and effort than Standing in line at your Pet Store”
Crickets were once the most difficult feeder insect to breed, which is why 98% of people gave up after a few months using conventional methods. The reason for this is very simple….breeding crickets is easy, the hard bit is continuing with a laborious maintenance schedule. The problem with conventional methods is they require constant spraying, feeding, watering, moving crickets to 7 different containers and cleaning. To make things worse, pests take over due to lack of maintenance and the whole system crashes. It’s easy to see why the vast majority of people give up. These methods are better suited to large scale commercial production…not feeding one or two bearded dragons.
“Thankfully our insect breeding systems are very different… after more than a decade of commercial production and experimentation, we have pioneered revolutionary new techniques that have slashed maintenance, eliminated offensive odor and doubled production compared to conventional methods. Now there is a true alternative which makes cricket breeding available to everyone!!”
No matter whether you are starting out or want to breed for profit, our methods will move you well past the standard “place a bowl of vegies, in a fish tank with toilet rolls”.
“With our unique methods, the average family can turn their scrap vegies into $1400 worth of Juicy fresh feeder insects every year. Not only is it convenient…you will also save yourself thousands of dollars”
“With the world’s most comprehensive guides, video demonstrations and free Skype training, there is no excuse anymore, it’s very easy. You can now work Smarter not harder”
Why do They Require So Little Maintenance?
Our automated low maintenance systems are tried and tested for over a decade. The result is smarter low maintenance, consistent and productive breeding methods for both private and commercial applications. In summary our low maintenance methods are achieved with:
Reliable and robust food and water dispensers which attends to your insects for 14 days or more;
Unique container design which: increases air flow; removes toxic odors; maximizes heat retention and prevents pests from entering.
Heat Systems that supercharge cockroach production…and it’s not incandescent bulbs.
Streamlined cleaning and maintenance methods that easily separates detritus and cockroaches with no escapees.
Unique container configuration which prevent cartons from spoiling, reducing the need to change them weekly to once every 9 months.
Only one breeding container to manage. Using conventional method you need to manage up to 7 different containers.
“Breeding Crickets with messy and time consuming methods are now a thing of the past”.
How Much Time and Money will I Save??
The above innovations mean crickets can now be bred:
Requires no active management….no daily spraying or moving crickets around
With only 5 minutes maintenance/container every 10-14 days (less time than standing in line at the pet store)
Systems so productive that the average family will be able to feed 4-12 bearded dragons (depending of feeding rate) just from their scrap vegetables;
That’s over $1400/year cash you are currently throwing away! You can make much more if you make additional containers.
Best of all they are easy to build, and most materials are made from recycled materials or from your hardware store.
Our methods have a proven track record and produce large numbers of cockroach’s week in…week out. For a small one off investment (probably a week or two supply of live food costs) you will be armed with numerous techniques that will fast track successful cockroach breeding.
“This will save you thousands of dollars and hours in wasteful and painful experimentation”.
HOW DO OUR SYSTEMS WORK?…
How did we achieve this…well in a nut shell, we created two separate zones within a single container (conventional techniques require up to 6 separate containers); one high humidity area ideal for breeding; and a lower humidity area which is required for housing and food/water. We have also developed a unique detritus collection system which collects the waste and prevents contamination of breeding substrate and food areas.
This makes cleaning a breeze, eliminates odours and disease, increases egg viability and significantly increases cricket production. We have water and food dispersers which do the feeds for you, even when your on holidays! Unlike conventional techniques which need to be actively managed (daily spraying, and moving pinheads to new containers) our systems run themselves ?.
You can see why we are pretty proud of what we have achieved.You can see why these are the most advanced, low maintenance and productive cricket and cockroach breeding systems in the world.
“You really can produce more insects with much less effort. Its time to work smarter, not harder!”
How this Guide sets a New Benchmark in Cricket Breeding!!
This definitive guide is not a literature review of internet blogs…it pioneers new and innovative techniques found nowhere else”.
“It is easily the most comprehensive guide on the market with over 164 pages and includes hundreds of color photos and diagrams”.
All the “how to build” instructions are explained in easy to understand text…and with numerous color photos. And best of all, nearly all the materials are easily obtained from you hardware store or using recycled materials at home.
We have completely overhauled every aspect of cockroach production including:
- container design
- private and commercial breeding
- food and water requirements
- making food and water dispensers
- heating/storage
- maintenance/pest management, cleaning
- grading/selling
- Lots and Lots More
“There are literally hundreds of techniques and tips to help you make life easier…see full details at end.”
Turn an Expense into Income….with our Commercial Experience!!
WildlifeHub has been producing crickets, cockroaches, and mealworms commercially for 11 years to wildlife parks, zoos, pet stores, wildlife rescue clubs, large scale reptile keepers and the general public…. “We are More than happy to pass on our commercial tips to you”.
“This is the only guide that has sufficient detail and experience to be used for private and commercial production. With our streamlined processes, commercial production is now available to everyone…not just the big boys”.
Many wildlife and reptile enthusiasts are always looking for a cheap and fresh supply of food for their animals. This is a great way to turn an expense into an income. We cover important topics such as; pest management, how to grade crickets to various sizes, dispatching, transport and marketing tips and advice.
Failure is not an Option with the Best Methods and Support…
Our cricket manuals covers both basic and advanced techniques suitable for both private and commercial production. No matter your experience level, we have it covered.
We have dedicated over a decade not just breeding feeder insects…but also writing the most comprehensive books and developing videos. We really want you to succeed, and our training and support is next to none. Below is a summary of our commitment to your success when you purchase our books:
Free Skype training as required. As we have converted our techniques to video, I can show you our methods directly in a Skype video session. It’s really easy!!
Free email support
The World’s most Comprehensive and innovative feeder insect guides (with hundreds of photos)
“Videos of our Methods are Available at a click of a button”.
What if I Want to Breed More than just Crickets?
For those of you who like diversity for your animals you will be glad to know we have also streamlined cockroach Breeding.
“This means that for the first time ever both crickets and cockroaches can now be bred together with the same equipment and effort. Why not breed both species side by side ?
100% Money Back Guarantee…It’s Risk Free
It is our aim to have every person who purchases our books to be self-sufficient in live foods.
“If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase we offer a 100% money back guarantee”.
The Complete Cricket Breeding Manual- Review
I was very glad to say good bye to the old methods which you have to continually spray every day. These new methods really make cricket breeding so much easier. The books 9 chapters cover every aspect of cricket breeding you can think about, and the hundreds of photos really make the process really easy to understand and build. I have since added additional containers which has really cut down the amount of feed I buy for my 100 geckoes, monitors and dragons. This book is not a literature review of existing methods, it really is a complete overhaul. The author is really approachable, and I have no problems contacting him when I have a question. If you want to save money, this book is a must for every reptile owner.
Justin Hodges
Founder/author of the herphouse facebook page
See the Hundreds of Techniques on Offer (Book Contents)
Below is a summary of the ways you will be able to save time and effort breeding crickets with our comprehensive guide.
Food and Water Requirements
4 different food/water dispensers to choose from which covers small and large scale production.
18 pages detailing how to build a food try with removes all wet/dry food and water together for quick and easy maintenance.
Our automated feeding/watering dispensers, allows you to feed crickets for over 2 weeks unattended if necessary (i.e. good for going away on holidays). They are inexpensive to build, durable and designed not to spill. They dispense food at a controlled rate which saves money, reduces the frequency for refilling and improves hygiene.
7 different methods/tools to feed crickets to your animals quickly and easily (and filter them to the right size).
Learn essential nutrients for cricket development, how to purchase food in bulk and store/process them properly to save wastage and money. Food recipes for standard and fast growth, gut loading and dusting.
Tables outlining the nutritional content of key food groups such as dog, cat and chicken layer dry foods.
Detailed instructions and photos how to build containers.
Chapter Contents, see below:
4.1 Food and Water Components…………………………………………….. 40
Breeding
2 breeding systems to choose from to ensure the best method for all types of breeding. (i.e. small, medium and large scale/commercial production).
26 pages detailing advantages/disadvantages for different systems, building material, and step by step instructions how to construct breeding systems.
See above sections (Why our systems work so well) for details how our breeding systems produce twice the crickets with half the effort.
Learn the essential management secrets which ensures productive and consistent breeding.
Private and Small Scale Commercial breeding
9.0 Zega Substrate Breeding System (Small Scale Production)
9.1 Summary of Breeding Method………………………………………….. 118
9.2 How to Make a Zega Substrate Breeding System………………….. 120
9.3 Management of a Substrate System…………………………………… 128
9.4 Cleaning a Substrate System……………………………………………. 129
9.5 Maintenance of a Substrate System…………………………………… 131
Batch Breeding System (Large Scale Production)
10.1 Summary of Breeding Method………………………………………….. 135
10.2 How to Make a Batch System…………………………………………… 137
10.3 Food and Water Dispenser for a Pinhead Grow Out Container……. 147
10.4 Management of a Batch System……………………………………….. 151
10.5 Pests for a Batch System…………………………………………………. 152
10.6 Cleaning a Batch System………………………………………………… 156
10.7 Maintenance of a Batch System……………………………………….. 158
Container Design and Construction
Learn the 5 essential design considerations for an efficient container which is durable, maximises growth rates, and saves time in maintenance and feeding activities.
Some of the items covered includes how to maximise ventilation and air flow, easy access ports for feeding and removing crickets, removable screens for increased ventilation/heat management, keeping pinheads in and pest out.
Detailed instructions and photos showing how to build step by step.
3.2 Lids…………………………………………………………………………………24
3.3 Ventilation…………………………………………………………………….. 25
3.4 Feeding Port………………………………………………………………….. 26
3.5 Screening………………………………………………………………………. 26
3.6 Barrier Cream……………………………………………………………….. 27
3.7 Component Set-up……………………………………………………………28
3.8 How to Make a Cricket Container…………………………………………… 29
Heating and Storage
Tables which provide the various temperature thresholds to manage a cricket colony
Advantages/disadvantages for 4 different heating systems including free solar options. Find out the best method for productive cricket production.
Learn the thermodynamic principles for efficient heat conservation.
20 methods to reduce your heating costs.
How to estimate your heating costs and manage excessive heat.
How to store breeding containers so they are easy to access and feeding can be done without opening the lid. This will allow numerous containers can be stored into a tight configuration, to save space or to increase the number of containers.
6.1 Heating…………………………………………………………………………. 75
6.2 Humidity……………………………………………………………………… 76
6.3 Heating Systems……………………………………………………………. 77
6.4 Reducing Heating Costs…………………………………………………. 80
6.5 Estimating Heating Costs………………………………………………. 82
6.6 Managing Excessive Heat……………………………………………….83
6.7 Storage of Colony………………………………………………………….. 83
Maintenance
Our innovative breeding systems prevent detritus from coming into contact with wet substrate, preventing fouling (eliminates smells) and cutting maintenance frequency by half.
3 different cleaning systems reduces maintenance to only a few minutes for each breeding container.
7.2 Pests……………………………………………………………………………. 91
7.3 Genetics………………………………………………………………………. 95
7.4 Safety………………………………………………………………………….. 96
Pest Management
Detailed information on how to manage all major pests, which often result in the failure of consistent cricket breeding.
Our clever container design prevents pests from entering, including a special double screen system to keep out micro flies, a major pest species.
Details how to build ant exclusion devices and micro-fly traps to prevent infestations.
How to maintain genetics and maintain productivity
Grading and Selling
Learn how to quickly separate crickets from their cartons without escapees and with minimal effort.
8.1 Grading by Size…………………………………………………………….. 98
8.2 Estimating Cricket numbers…………………………………………….. 102
8.3 Packaging and Transport…………………………………………………. 106
8.4 Economics……………………………………………………………………. 110
8.5 Marketing…………………………………………………………………….. 113
8.6 Record Keeping…………………………………………………………….. 115
Biology
List of Tables
Part 1- Choosing a Breeding Method and Introduction
Table 1- Advantages and Disadvantages between Breeding Crickets and Cockroaches………………………………….. 13
Table 2- Conversion between Imperial and Metric Units…………………. 15
Diagram 2.3- Anatomy of a Cricket…………………………………………………… 18
Part 2- General Techniques- For Both Breeding Methods
Table 3- Growth Rates………………………………………………………………… 21
Figure 3.3- Air Flow through a Container………………………………………. 25
Table 4- Design Summary for Constructing a Container
– Efficient Method…………………………………………………………… 30
Table 5- Detailed Instructions Constructing a Container-
Efficient Method………………………………………………………….. 33
Table 6- Nutritional Comparison between Different
Dry Food Types……………………………………………………………. 42
Table 7- Making a Food Tray………………………………………………………55
Table 8 How to Make a Small Scale Food Dispenser………………….. 56
Table 9- Making a Large Scale Food Disperser…………………………… 60
Table 10- Making a Large Scale Water Dispenser…………………………. 65
Table 11- Making a Large Scale Water Dispenser with Pebbles……… 72
Table 12- Temperature Ranges for Crickets……………………………………75
Table 13- Cleaning Food and Water Dispensers…………………………… 85
Table 14- Making an Ant Guard for Power Cords………………………….94
Table 15- Grading Crickets………………………………………………………… 98
Table 16- Counting Crickets- Large Scale …………………………………… 103
Table 17- Transport Methods……………………………………………….. 107
Part 3- Small Scale Cricket Breeding
Figure 9.1- Diagrammatic Representation of a
Substrate Breeding System……………………………………. 118
Table 18- How to Make a Substrate System……………………………. 122
Table 19- Removal of Detritus from a Substrate System………………. 129
Table 20- Maintenance Schedule for a Substrate System……………. 132
Part 4- Large Scale Cricket Breeding
Figure 10.1- Diagram of a Batch Breeding System………………………. 136
Table 21- Summary of a Batch Breeding System……………………… 138
Table 22- Detailed Instructions to Make a Batch System………….. 141
Table 23- How to Make Food and Water Dispenser for a
Pinhead Grow out Container…………………………………. 147
Table 24- Cleaning a Batch System (No Substrate) …………………. 156
Table 25- Maintenance Schedule for a Batch System………………. 158
Glossary….……………………………………………………………………….161
Appendix 1 Example Marketing Brochure……………………………. 163