How to Earn a Profit by Farming Crickets

The poor economy definitely forces people to get creative, but when I heard about cricket farming on the news a few weeks ago, I almost spit out my coffee from laughing so hard.

I’ve made it habit over the past few months to try out the ideas I share with you, but I’m not sure how my landlord would feel about this one. 🙂 Although, for the return of our “weird business” series, I’m happy to share all the details with you…

Why Crickets?

Crickets make great bait for fishing and are frequently purchased by reptile owners as snack food. Crickets are also easy to breed and can sell for up to $12 for 250. That might not seem like a lot, but consider that every female lays 5 to 10 eggs a day in her lifetime.

A one foot square box can hold 1,000 crickets which means you can easily do this in a small space. Also, in addition to being profitable, breeding crickets can be a really fun project for the kids!

What Do I Need to Start Cricket Farming?

The Gray Cricket, also known as the Acheta Domestica, is the easiest to breed and raise in captivity. You will also need a few basic supplies to start your cricket farm:

• A 20 gallon Rubber Maid container or fish tank
• 2 small to medium rearing containers 
• Lids that will fit each container
• 3-4 jars (sour cream, yogurt, butter, etc.)
• 3-4 paper egg cartons 
• Aluminum screening (must be metal)
• Duct tape
• A razor blade or pair of wire cutters (used to cut plastic) 
• Cotton 
• Dirt
• An optional heating pad

You’ll want to start out with two dozen adult crickets as well as about a dozen teenager crickets. The aluminum screening needs to be attached to the top of the fish tank to create an enclosure that keeps the crickets from escaping, but still allows them to breathe. Egg cartons, cotton, and dirt can be used to create a comfortable habitat inside the fish tank.

Selling Your Crickets

The best place to sell your crickets is to local pet stores and bait shops. Be sure to check with them ahead of time to make sure they will buy from local breeders.

If you are interested in joining the big leagues, check with some of the national pet stores as you might be able to score a deal as a regional distributor.

Good Luck Penny Hoarders! Would you be willing to give cricket farming a try?