How to Make Live Cricket Traps

Every kid (and granddad) that loves to fish knows the value of using crickets for bait. But even though they're expensive when obtained from bait and tackle shops, most kids would rather gather their own crickets anyway. It's the thrill of the hunt! But if you don't want to spend the cash for the insects, and you don't particularly relish the idea of physically tracking them down, then this time-honored cricket trap is just what you need. You probably already have most of the stuff you need at home.
This trap works because it's every cricket's dream come true: abundant and easily digestible food, which also offers shelter. What more could a bug want? Plan on never spending another dime on crickets for fishing bait again.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stale loaf of French or Italian bread (unsliced)
• Empty coffee can with a lid
• Rubber bands
• Knife
• Fork
• Old lettuce (optional)

1. Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise, just as if you were going to make garlic bread with it.

2. Make a pair of canoes out of the bread halves, using a fork to dig the centers out of them. Leave about ½ inch of bread and crust on the bottoms and sides of each canoe. If it makes you feel better, set some old lettuce scraps in the center of one of the loaf halves. It's not really necessary because the crickets will be attracted to the inside of the loaf anyway, but some old-timers swear by it.

3. Put the loaf halves back together. Secure them with several rubber bands. Use a knife to cut a ½-inch hole in one end of the restored loaf.

4. Set the cricket trap outside where it won't be disturbed for the next 12 hours or so. A location under a picnic table, next to a wall or near a compost pile are good choices, although just about any quiet spot will do.

5. Ask your kids to help you harvest your catch, because crickets can quickly jump out of the reach of a single captor. Take the lid off of the empty coffee can and set it on the ground. Carefully lift the bread loaf up off of the ground and hold the hole over the coffee can. Gently tap on the bread with the palm of your hand, dislodging the crickets from the inside of the loaf and dumping them into the can. Quickly replace the lid on the coffee can.

Tips & Warnings

• Crickets love debris, and it's their first choice when homesteading. Rake grass clippings into a pile after mowing, or add them to your compost heap to attract even more crickets.

References

• Dig a Hole to Catch Crickets
• Jumbo Wooden Crate Cricket Trap

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