Anyone know a good place to buy crickets for a bearded dragon juvie??

[sonew123]

My DD saved her $ and researched bearded dragons to death! Dh and I finally caved and said she could spend her $ on one-He/she is adorable!! Mac is it's name-anyhoo she has EVERYTHING you could possible imagine for this feller. She bought 50 baby crickets to start out with and they lasted 2 days -they all died! SO now we are in a scramble to get some shipped to us ASAP. The pet store is an hour away-we planned on going to it next Friday to restock on crickets. Wasn't counting on them dying so fast! I will have to drive to get more if worst comes to worst but want to set up an account somewhere to have them delivered to us in a continuos fashion...She has other food but he doesnt seem interested in it:-(
ANy help would be appreciated

I have researched online as well as DD but shipping is like 20-30$ for 10$ worth of crickets! IS this normal? Will I have to travel to the petstore to avoid these types of shipping fees??? Shoot it will cost me 18-20$ in gas round trip to get them at pet store so I dont know which is best..

I knew this little bugger was going to be the death of me

but adore my DD and would be heart broken for her if something happened to her dragon!

thank you so much folks

 

[paddock36]

If you have any bait shops that sell live bait for fishing you should check there. They usually have them. I don't know the price but I doubt if they are that expensive.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
already did:-( they have meal worms

but no crickets! they are 15 miles away-so thats fine with me if they had them... this is going to be a challenge this weekend I can tell already! I was supposed to be using a bobcat all weekend to unbury my large outdoor coop and run to move birds outside-40' and 50's all next week!!

 

[paddock36]

Do they have to be live. You can also buy them packaged. We actually have a package of them in our tackle box, but I don't know if they are treated with preservatives or not. I've never read the label.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
mmm-Im not 100% sure if they have to be live but we have tried to leave some dead ones to see what would happen-Nothing

My youngest and I managed to find 3 live ones in the tank hiding so we fed them to Mac and he ate them in seconds. SO we are good for a tad today My oldest is at the neighbors until 11 am ish so i wanted to surprise her with a concrete plan on having live crickets available at all times for her. You can't feed them crickets from outside or other bugs either as they carry parasites and such that could kill the dragons very fast!

 

[annageckos]

When I bought crickets for my beardie online I used LLLReptile.com Good prices and quick shipping. They run about $25 for 1000 crickets, depending on size. Make sure to have a good sized tote to house the crickets in. I used a 13 or 15 gallon rubber made bin from walmart. I cut a large hole in the lid and then hot glued aluminum window screening (do not use vinyl, they can chew through it. I wouldn't get the pin head sized crickets, they are way to fragile and die easily. I would also always get a size smaller than I needed that way even when they grow they are not too big. Make sure to feed the crickets or they will eat each other. I stopped buying crickets and now raise a type of roach. They are nothing at all like the pest that people get in their homes. These are a tropical species, Guyana orange spotted roach (Blaptica dubia), very easy to care for and they do not climb or fly. They do not smell like crickets or make any noise. If you want any more info on them or on beardies let me know. Here is a photo of my dragon, his name is Stubbs

When he was younger

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Thanks, I just snorted coffee when I saw the pic of Mr. Stubbs in his early riding days.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
Stubbs is gorgeous!!!!! that is funny on the horse!!! thank you so much i will look up that website--We are looking to buy 250-500 at a time I was looking at 1/4 inch ones as the pinhead ones were tooo small-we have tons of cricket feed and napa nector type gel for them to hydrate themselves-egg cartons cut up for hiding and shelter and a small tank to house them for now Im sure Ill be in touch as this was not supposed to be MY learing experience haha-but is turning out to be as a back up for my oldest--you know mom coming to the rescue type of thing -if needed

 

[annageckos]

Quote:
I have always fed my reptiles bugs from outside. But only if you are sure that no pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers have been used. I also do not use them as a staple, only as a treat. Canned insects are also ok for a treat, but again, I would not use them as a staple, they have been cooked by canning. Same with freeze dried, they do not have the same nutritional value as live. I do however like to keep a can around in case of an emergency and I run out of insects. It is not as much of a problem for me now that my dragon is full grown. But young and juvie dragons need to eat a lot. Also not all dragons will eat dead insects. I would also stay away from mealworms, they are not very nutritious and can cause impaction.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
I have always fed my reptiles bugs from outside. But only if you are sure that no pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers have been used. I also do not use them as a staple, only as a treat. Canned insects are also ok for a treat, but again, I would not use them as a staple, they have been cooked by canning. Same with freeze dried, they do not have the same nutritional value as live. I do however like to keep a can around in case of an emergency and I run out of insects. It is not as much of a problem for me now that my dragon is full grown. But young and juvie dragons need to eat a lot. Also not all dragons will eat dead insects. I would also stay away from mealworms, they are not very nutritious and can cause impaction.

I did it!! I ordered some through that company!!! 500 for 24.95$ shipping included-boy my DD has alot of work to do now! haha No worries around here there's LOTS to do to earn that $ at 15 yrs old she is more than capable of working it off!!! mauauaua dogs need a bath today too haha.... We've tried feeding it shredded carrotes ans very green lettuce but nope wont touch them...we have a book that we have been reading too for feeding.. Any great foods you can think of for juvies that they cant resist that are great for them??? I'll have to stock up I think--dang it I knew this would happen to me! You watch Mac will be my pet in 2 months!