Faq's
Q. Are they organic?
A. Yes absolutely. Over 28 years now at American Cricket Ranch, we hand raised our organic crickets and worms in a climate controlled environment 24/7. We feed them an exclusive special blend of all natural grains mixture, combined with the right balance of nutrients, vitamins and proteins. It is available to you. Cricket Food: 1LB Cricket Food, and 4LB Cricket Food.
Q. Tell me more about your crickets?
A. We sell our live crickets in 500 counts and up, buy bulk and saves money. Crickets are very high in protein, A STAPLE food for most reptiles, See What Eats What. Our crickets have proven to be the best food for bearded dragons, frogs, turtles, birds and exotic fish, due to it is easy to digest, easy to handle, non aggressive, won’t bite and virus free.
Q. What size are your crickets?
A. Pinheads-new born (1/16 "),
Small-1 to 2 week old (apx 1/8"-1/4"),
Medium-3 to 4 week old (apx 1/2"-5/8"),
Large-5 to 6 week old (apx 1").
Life spend of a cricket is usually around 8 to 10 weeks.
Q. What are mealworms?
A. Mealworms are the larval form of the darkling beetle (Tenebrio molitor). Mealworms are scavengers and often infest stored grains, especially in warm, dark and damp conditions. Mealworms probably originated in the Mediterranean region, but are now present in many areas of the world, spread by human trade and colonization.
Mealworm beetles constitute almost 25% of all known types of animals and about 40% of all the insect species. They go through four life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Larvae typically measure 1 inch in length or more. Mealworms are scavengers and often infest stored grains, especially in warm, dark and damp conditions. Mealworms probably originated in the Mediterranean region, but are now present in many areas of the world, spread by human trade and colonization. The oldest archaeological records of mealworms can be traced to Bronze Age Turkey. Records from the British Isles and northern Europe are from a later date, and mealworms are conspicuously absent from archaeological finds from ancient Egypt.
Darkling beetles are prolific breeders. Females burrow into soft ground and lay about 500 eggs. The eggs hatch 4 to 19 days later. During the larval stage, the mealworm feeds on vegetation and dead insects and periodically molts. A molting episode occurs between each larval stage or instr. The larva of this species has 9 to 20 instars. After the final molt in becomes a pupa. The new pupa is whitish, and it turns brown over time. After 3 to 30 days, depending on environmental conditions such as temperature, it emerges as an adult darkling beetle. Mealworms are typically used as a live food for pets, such as reptiles, fish and birds. They are also used in bird feeders and as fishing bait.
Q. What are mini mealworms?
A. Mini Mealworms are smaller young mealworms.
Q. Are giant mealworms safe for my pet?
A.Giant mealworms (Tenebrio molito) they are derived from regular mealworms by adding to their diet, natural juices. They grow much larger to apx 2 inches. They do not reproduce. Due to how clean giant mealworms are and easy to handle makes them favorites for serious fishing bait.
Q. What are superworms?
A. Superworms (Zophobas morio) aka King worms (100% protein).
Superworms are tropical species (they need to be kept warm), Do not put them in the refrigerator like mealworms.
They are every active and lively, attracts your pet’s attention, its clean-great as fishing bait.
Perfect live pet food for lizards, turtles, frogs, salamanders, birds, chickens, koi and other insectivorous animals.
Life span is around three to four months.
Superworms are larvae of a species of darkling beetle.
They should not be confused with giant mealworms (Tenebrio molito), as they are very similar in size and color.
These insect larvae are about 1.5 to 2.25 inches in length when full grown.
Once they reach adult size, the larvae become pupae, and later emerge as black beetles.
The larvae will not pupate if kept in a container with many other larvae and plentiful food.
If you want to mature superworms into darkling beetles, you will have to separate each one individually for about 7 to 10 days.
They originated in tropical regions of Central and South America.
Q. What are waxworms?
A. The greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) is found in most of the world. It is believed to be a native of eastern Europe, and has been introduced to other continents, including North America and Australia. Its close relative is the lesser wax moth (Achroia grisella). The caterpillar larvae, or wax worms, feed on the honeycomb, cocoons, pollen and beeswax inside bee hives and may become pests. Less often, they are found in bumblebee and wasp nests. Captive wax worms are generally raised on a mixture of cereal grain, bran and honey. The larvae are commercially available and used as live food for animals such as geckos, lizards, turtles and birds. They can also be used as fishing bait. The fungus (Vairimorpha ephestiae) and the common bacterium (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) are parasites of the moth.
Our waxworms are 100% protein.
They are fatty and plump, spoil your pet with a treat, our waxworm is apx 1 inch long and apx 8 mm in diameter.
Waxworm is a treat to reptiles as live crickets are their staples, and LOVED by wild birds. Ideal for ice fishing.
Keep refrigerated.
Our waxworm are shipped in a plastic cups with its own bedding.
They do not need to eat or drink, just keep them in your refrigerator.
Read how to Waxworm Care Instruction.
Q. What are nightcrawlers?
A. For fishing - They come in their own plastic container 1 doz per order. Just keep them in the refrigerator door in low humidity. They do not need food. They are between 2 to 4 inches.