How to keep a bucket of crickets?

So I just adopted a bearded dragon and want to order some crickets in bulk, since this is clearly the best economical option. I'll get a huge storage container, put in ventillation and keep it. My question is, can this container be kept outside for most the year? Space is limited in my home, and I'm not totally psyched about having hundreds of crickets indoors making noise and stinking up the place. I live in the Chicagoland area, so temps spike and drop... Obviously if it's extreme weather I'd bring them in - I don't think the beardie will like cricket-sicles or baked crickets.

Thanks for your advice!

I usually keep 100-150 at a time in a cricket keeper in my reptile room with now issues and no escapees. They would never survive outdoors here during the summer. You may have decent luck there since the weather isn't as extreme during the summer, but make sure to provide plenty of ventilation and keep them in the shade. Also, make sure that you keep them well fed, as starving crickets become cannibalistic.

Forget the crickets and buy roaches.

Dubias?

Remember too that crickets have a short life span. once adult size they only live another 2 or 3 months.

Compared to crickets, roaches smell like roses.

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Originally Posted by regiusloki

Dubias?

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I like dubia but I would recommend any roach over crickets.

You can also feed superworms, which are easier to keep alive and less upkeep.

There are many advantages to dubias or other roaches.

They don't stink like cricket do.
Don't climb or jump out of their enclosure.
Do not cannibalize each others.
They are hardy and don't die on you like crickets do.
They are quiet.

And most importantly the protein shell ratio is higher.

Setting up a breeder colony is really easy and does not require much work at all.

Here is my roach's setup.

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...Feeders/11.jpg

Plastic tub - Egg cartons and that's all, I feed them Bug burger (http://www.pangeareptile.com/store/r...ug-burger.html), left over CGD, and bread.

Crickets can be setup in a similar manner as well.

Go with roaches. They don't smell which is awesome, but the best part is they don't make any noise!

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