Last Updated: 15/April/2026
Crickets are omnivorous scavengers. In the wild, they eat decaying plants, seeds, and fungi. Pet crickets thrive on a mix of fresh vegetables like carrots and squash, fruits, and high-protein grains. They also require constant hydration through water gels or damp sponges to stay healthy.
Understanding the Cricket Diet: Why Diversity Matters
Crickets are not picky eaters. In the world of science, they are called omnivores. This means they eat both plants and animal matter. They are also scavengers, which means they spend their time looking for leftovers. A cricket’s body needs many different nutrients to grow a strong outer shell. This shell is made of something called chitin.
Because crickets live in many different places, they have become opportunistic feeders. This means they will eat almost anything they find. In dry places, they might eat seeds. In wet forests, they might eat rotting leaves. This ability to eat a diverse diet helps them survive in different climates across the world. For anyone keeping them as pets, providing many types of food is the best way to keep them active.
What Do Crickets Eat in the Wild? (Nature’s Clean-up Crew)
In nature, crickets act like a cleaning team. They help break down waste and turn it back into soil. This is very important for the environment.
Organic Matter and Decaying Plants
The most common food for wild crickets is decaying plant material. This includes brown leaves, rotting wood, and wilting flowers. These items are easy for crickets to chew. As these plants break down, they grow fungi and bacteria. Crickets eat these too because they are full of protein and minerals.
Seeds, Grains, and Seedlings
When crickets find a garden or a field, they look for fresh seeds and young plants. They love the soft stems of new sprouts. Seeds provide a lot of energy because they are packed with fats and carbohydrates. This energy helps the crickets jump far and sing loudly at night.
Do Wild Crickets Eat Other Insects?
Yes, crickets are scavengers who will eat other insects. Usually, they eat bugs that are already dead. If food is very hard to find, crickets might even eat smaller or weaker crickets. This helps them get the protein they need when there are no plants around.
The Best Food for Pet Crickets (The Master List)
If you have crickets at home, you must be careful about what you feed them. Giving them the right food makes them live longer. It also makes them more nutritious if you are using them to feed other pets like lizards.
| Food Category | Top Examples | Main Benefit |
| Vegetables | Carrots, Squash, Broccoli | High in Vitamins |
| Fruits | Apples, Bananas, Melons | Quick Energy |
| Proteins | Fish Flakes, Oats, Cat Food | Growth & Strength |
| Hydration | Water Gels, Wet Sponges | Safe Drinking |
Best Vegetables for Growth
Vegetables should be the main part of a pet cricket’s diet. Carrots and sweet potatoes are excellent choices because they contain Vitamin A. This vitamin helps crickets shed their old skin as they grow larger. Squash and pumpkin are also great because they stay fresh for a longer time in the cage.
Safe Fruits for Energy
Fruits are like a sweet treat for crickets. They provide natural sugars for energy. Apples and bananas are very popular. You can also offer small pieces of orange, which provide Vitamin C. However, do not give too much fruit, as it can attract fruit flies to the cage.
Protein Sources
Crickets need protein to stay strong. Many people use fish flakes or dry cat food that has been crushed into a powder. Grains like oats and wheat bran are also healthy. These foods provide the building blocks for the cricket’s muscles and shell.
What Do Crickets Eat in the House? (Common Home Pests)
Sometimes crickets get inside your home. When they are stuck indoors, they have to find new things to eat. This is why people often find them in basements or closets.
In a house, crickets will look for crumbs under the stove or bits of pet food. If they cannot find food, they might start chewing on things you wouldn’t expect. They can eat paper, cardboard, and even glue. Most importantly, crickets are known to eat fabric. They like natural fibers like wool, silk, and cotton. If you see tiny holes in your clothes, a cricket might be the reason.
What Do Crickets Drink? (The Hydration Secret)
One of the biggest mistakes people make is putting a bowl of water in the cricket cage. Crickets are not good swimmers. They can easily fall into a small water dish and drown.
To keep crickets hydrated, you should use “dry” water methods. One way is to use a damp sponge or a wet cotton ball. The crickets will suck the moisture out without falling in. Another professional choice is water gel. These are crystals that turn into a jelly-like substance. You can also give them slices of potato or apple. These provide both food and plenty of water at the same time.
Do Crickets Eat Spiders?
This is a question many people ask. Generally, the answer is no. Most spiders are predators that hunt crickets. However, a very large cricket might eat a small, dead spider if it finds one. In most cases, crickets try to stay away from spiders to avoid being eaten themselves.
Important: What NOT to Feed Crickets (Toxic Foods)
Not all human food is safe for insects. Some things can make crickets sick or even kill them.
- Citrus overload: While a little orange is okay, too much lemon or lime is too acidic.
- Salty snacks: Never feed crickets crackers, chips, or salty popcorn. Salt can dehydrate them very quickly.
- Pesticides: Always wash your vegetables. Even a tiny bit of bug spray on a lettuce leaf will kill your crickets.
- Onions and Garlic: These have strong chemicals that crickets usually avoid. They are not part of a natural insect diet.
Expert Tip: “Gut Loading” Your Crickets
If you keep crickets as food for a reptile or a frog, you should learn about “gut loading.” This is a professional trick to make your pet healthier.
Gut loading means you feed the crickets very high-quality food about 24 hours before you give them to your pet. You fill the crickets’ bellies with vitamins, calcium, and minerals. When your lizard eats the cricket, it gets all that extra nutrition too. Think of the cricket as a little vitamin pill for your bigger pet.
Proper Feeding Routine and Frequency
To keep your crickets happy, you should feed them every single day. They have very fast metabolisms and get hungry quickly.
- Small Portions: Give them only what they can eat in one day.
- Remove Old Food: If you put a slice of apple in the cage, take it out the next morning. Fresh food can grow mold quickly in a warm cage. Mold is very dangerous for crickets.
- Clean the Area: Wipe away any dry food dust every few days to prevent smells and bacteria.
Common Mistakes in Cricket Care
- Using deep water bowls: This is the most common cause of cricket death.
- Feeding only one thing: Crickets need a mix of protein and plants to stay healthy.
- Leaving spoiled food: Moldy food can kill an entire colony of crickets in a few days.
- Too much heat: While they like it warm, direct sunlight can dry them out too much.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cricket Diets
Can crickets eat bread?
Yes, crickets can eat small amounts of bread, but it should not be their main food source. Bread is mostly starch and lacks the essential vitamins and minerals crickets need to grow healthy shells. It is much better to feed them fresh vegetables, oats, or specialized cricket mash.
How long can crickets live without food?
Crickets can usually survive for 5 to 7 days without food or water. However, they will grow weak and stop singing very quickly. If they are kept in a group and become very hungry, they may start to eat each other to survive. Always ensure they have a moisture source to prevent dehydration.
Do crickets eat fruit every day?
While crickets love the natural sugar in fruit, it is best to offer it only 2 or 3 times a week. If you feed them too much fruit, it can cause digestive issues. Also, fresh fruit rots faster than vegetables; you must remove any uneaten fruit within 24 hours to prevent mold and fruit flies.
What do baby crickets (nymphs) eat?
Baby crickets eat the same types of food as adults, but they have a harder time chewing large pieces. You should crush their grains and fish flakes into a fine powder. They also need extra protein and calcium during this stage to help them grow their new shells through a process called molting.
Conclusion: A Healthy Cricket Diet
Understanding what do crickets eat is the first step to being a great pet owner or gardener. These tiny scavengers play a big role in nature by eating decaying plants and cleaning up the environment. By providing a mix of fresh vegetables, high-protein grains, and safe hydration, you can ensure your crickets stay strong and active. Whether they are living in your garden or a small cage at home, a balanced diet is the key to their survival. Keep their food fresh, keep their water safe, and enjoy watching these musical insects thrive.
Disclaimer:
This guide is for sharing general facts about what crickets eat. We want to help you learn about nature and pet care. While we work hard to provide true facts, every pet is different. If your crickets or pets seem sick, it is best to talk to a local vet or an insect expert. We are not responsible for choices made based on this guide. Always put safety first.
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Emma Rose is the founder of TryHardGuides.co.uk and a senior content strategist specializing in lifestyle, personal development, and digital entrepreneurship. With a focus on evidence-based living, she produces actionable content designed to help readers make informed life decisions and navigate the evolving tech-lifestyle landscape. As the editorial lead, Emma oversees the site’s mission to provide trustworthy, high-authority information. Her work reflects a commitment to personal growth, transparency, and the pursuit of a well-balanced, informed life.
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