Raise Your Own Edible Crickets
In April, Big Cricket Farms became the first U.S. company to raise insects for human consumption. It’s no surprise crickets...
In April, Big Cricket Farms became the first U.S. company to raise insects for human consumption. It’s no surprise crickets are leaping onto our plates—they require less space and fewer resources than cows or chickens, and they’re packed with protein and other nutrients. But farmed crickets and premade cricket foods can be expensive. Why not breed your own crunchy critters instead?
Stats
Time: 6 weeks
Cost: $22
Difficulty: 1
Materials
- Two 14-gallon terrariums with mesh lids (or clear boxes with mesh-covered air holes)
- Heat source at about 85 F
- 30 crickets
- Organic whole grains for food
- Soaked sponges for water
- Two shallow plastic dishes filled with pesticide-free soil
- Egg carton to vary landscape
- Spray bottle to moisten habitat
Instructions
Set terrariums near heat. In one, put crickets, food, water, soil dishes, and egg carton.
Periodically, check the soil for eggs. When found, move dishes to the other terrarium.
When the eggs hatch, return baby crickets and dishes of fresh soil to first terrarium.
To eat, grab young crickets with no wings. Freeze for 24 hours, blanch, and start cooking!
WARNING: You’re not a lizard. Clean insects before consuming and eat them at your own risk.
_This article originally appeared in the September 2014 issue of _Popular Science.