Where's the Cheapest place to get Crickets

[landonn]

I am thinking about gettting some crickets from the web this year. Last year I got them from the pet store, and I wasn't successful at feeding the martins. Anyway could of you tell me where the cheapest place to buy crickets is?

Thanks

Landonn

[Winger]

If you go to Louise's post for "Start of a New Season" and then open "A Basic Guide to Feeding Martins" at the bottom of this article it list (3) locations to buy crickets. I just ordered 1,000 for $10.50...shipping is an additional $20.19!

Good luck to you for 2011!

Tammy

[Louise Chambers]

Check out reptilefoods.com - that's what we have used for several years with good results. We buy several 1,000 to get cheaper shipping and freeze them all, but then our martins, woodpeckers, and mockers all eat them, so we know we can use them all up.

I am sure you can use 1,000

[flyin-lowe]

You might check a local bait shop. Most around here sell them and they might be able to order them for you and save on the shipping.

[M.Stephens]

Like Flyin-lowe said a bait shop is a good place to get them. I've asked for dead ones in a local shop and they've given them at no charge, Bet you can't beat that price!

[John Miller]

Landonn

I don't know if they are cheaper that other sources suggested, but I use Hurst-Young Wholesale Inc., of Savannah, Tenn

I get 3/4 inch, but get one inch if you plan to propel some into the air!

Their web site seems to be down, as is their 800 no., but I called them and they are in business. As it's verbotten for me to give direct links to manufactuers, you will have to google search and get their direct no., or may try white pages, or email me and we can go off Forum.

Their crickets are delivered by UPS, and our regular delivery guy thinks I have as house of lizards and snakes or something..he walks backward, quickly, when I try to explain.

John Miller

[Grady]

There is a reptile show in Indianapolis every month. Here's the link for dates http://www.midwestreptile.com/welcome.php. You can buy boxes of 500 or 1000. I think 1000 is about $16. This saves you shipping but is probably a two hour drive for you. They are kind of fun though. It costs about $5 to walk in. There are tons of reptiles, amphibians and feeder items for sale. There is usually quite an assortment of mealworms too at very reasonable prices. You can get the same through mail orders. I feed reptiles all year long so I am very familiar with getting crickets. The bait stores and pet stores around me are very pricey. You actually pay between 5 and 10 cents er cricket! Even taking into account a percent die-off from shipping. Buying bulk is the best deal.

[flyin-lowe]

I was listening to a local radio show today and they had a news report that there is some type of virus that has gone wild in the "feeder crickets" that are raised and delivered to pet stores and bait shops. According to the news the cricket supply might be wiped out this summer. I haven't had time to Google this or research it at all but it was on the news.


Edit
Here is what popped up on google., this is the first I had heard of it. Maybe it's getting worse.
http://michiganmessenger.com/40966/dead ... ustry-zoos

[landonn]

Thank you all for the replys. Hopefully I can train the martins to ate supplement food this year.

Landonm