Can crickets eat thru screen mesh?

[jenn4turtles]

Okay, I know this sounds odd, but can crickets eat through screen mesh?

I have a plastic Rubbermaid tub that I use to keep them in. I have cut out a large piece of the lid, and hot-glued screen mesh around the opening for ventilation. I noticed several loose in my house yesterday, and when I went to double-check the container, I found a small hole in the screen, about 5 or so inches from any of the sides. It's a reasonable small hole, about the size of a dime. I never put anything on it, so I can't imagine that something poked a hole in it. Is it possible that the evil, little things ate a hole through it? They do eat their cardboard egg crates, but mesh .... I have seen them climb around the screen; they jump from the tops of their egg crates (stored vertically inside the tub) to get on it. I hot-glued another layer of screen mesh, and I'll see if this happens again. Anyone else had an issue?

 

[CooperDragon]

Is this the metal screen mesh that is used to top tanks? I'd say no way to that, but they may be able to chew through the thin plastic mesh that is used for some screen doors.

 

[Sauzo]

If its fiberglass or plastic mesh, yes. Metal mesh, no. Crickets are evil :lol:

 

[jenn4turtles]

I *think* it's aluminum, but I'll have to check when I get home.

 

[Wolfeden]

I'd blame one of the cats.

 

[jenn4turtles]

:lol: I would agree (the younger of the three will eat them when they get out) but all of them are declawed in the front. Still, I guess they could use back claws .... It was just weird cuz it was a almost a perfect circle, about the size of a dime, and I kept finding crickets stuck to the screen. I know the crickets keep eating the cardboard egg crates. :roll: Well, there's a double layer of screen now - let's see if anyone can get in or out of that!

 

[Wolfeden]

Evil creatures indeed...crickets, not the cats.

 

[jenn4turtles]

Evil creatures indeed...crickets, not the cats.

The cats have their moments, too! :lol:

 

[BabySkales]

im having the same problems stupid crickets keep getting out and making the WHOLE house chirp! its driving the roommates and me crazy... i hate those stupid evil things! and they smell so SOOOO BAD!! OMG! how is that possible?! I'm in debate with my boyfriend if we should just spend the extra money and buy dubia nymphs in bulk...

 

[jenn4turtles]

I have gone back and forth about buying the dubias, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

I'm cleaning out the cricket tub 3x's a week, plus replacing the old cardboard trays and rolls regularly, and the smell doesn't get any better.

 

[BabySkales]

I have gone back and forth about buying the dubias, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

I'm cleaning out the cricket tub 3x's a week, plus replacing the old cardboard trays and rolls regularly, and the smell doesn't get any better.

IT DOESNT!!! omg its horrible! I did a clean out of our dubia bin over the weekend.. we havent cleaned it out in over a month.. and it DIDNT SMELL!! Unfortunately.. with the amount of mouths i have to feed.. all the nymphs where gone in less than 2 days >_< my babies are all pigs!
stupid crickets.. why cant you NOT stink, not JUMP and NOT DIE!

 

[Wolfeden]

I doubt I'll ever get a young dragon because of the cricket issue...roaches are not much better IMO.
I know the roaches don't jump, chirp or smell but my instinct tells me they shouldn't be in the house.

My rescued adult BD eats lots of greens with super, wax and phoenix worms...I can handle that.

 

[BabySkales]

I doubt I'll ever get a young dragon because of the cricket issue...roaches are not much better IMO.
I know the roaches don't jump, chirp or smell but my instinct tells me they shouldn't be in the house.

My rescued adult BD eats lots of greens with super, wax and phoenix worms...I can handle that.

neither of our babies are big enough to eat supers im just waiting... 16 inches cannot get here fast enough!

 

[Wolfeden]

LOL

Chirp, Chirp!

 

[Sauzo]

Well superworms are just the larva of beetles and [hoenix worms are the larva of flies. So imo roaches are no worse than those but to each their own.