Category Catalysts: Crickets - Armstrong’s Cricket Farm

Whether it was the 1940s and fishermen were in search of a dependable source of live bait or the 1970s when demand for reptile pets ramped up, the brown Acheta domestica cricket was the proven solution to catching fish or feeding reptile, amphibian or invertebrate pets. Generations of the Armstrong family were there for it and thankfully had the keen insight and business acumen to not only fill a gap, but also raise the standards so that feeder animals were handled responsibly and conscientiously. 

“In the 1940s, my great grandfather, Tal Armstrong, started our farm because fishermen needed reliable live bait,” said Armstrong’s Cricket Farm Owner, Brandon Armstrong. “The brown Acheta domestica cricket, with its soft shell and high protein, was perfect for catching fish. The pet industry wasn’t much back then, but as reptile pets grew popular in the ‘70s and ‘80s, we saw a gap: pet stores and zoos couldn’t find steady, high-quality feeder insects. Most suppliers were careless, delivering crickets that were weak or dead. We stepped in, scaling up with clean, bio-safe facilities to meet the demand. The underserved area was dependability—reptile owners wanted feeders that wouldn’t harm their pets, and we built a system to deliver that—no matter the season.”

This year, Armstrong’s Cricket Farm expanded its reach through online channels to help support pet owners that are trying to reach Armstrong’s’ high standards for ethics and integrity when it comes to animal husbandry. “This past year, we’re thrilled to have started selling our crickets directly to pet owners through online platforms like Chewy.com, Amazon and our own ArmstrongCrickets.com,” Armstrong said. “It’s been a game-changer, making it easier for folks to get our high-quality crickets right to their door for their reptiles or amphibians. We also improved our shipping with better-vented boxes, ensuring more crickets arrive alive and ready to feed pets. Expanding our reach online while keeping our quality tight? That’s a big win after 78 years in the business.”

Armstrong’s looks beyond the destination and takes into account each step of the process of raising healthy and safe crickets and transporting them to retailers’ shelves. This approach combines mindfully addressing details that others overlook with holding themselves to scrupulous standards of taking accountability for the care of the crickets, which in turn will attribute to each pets’ health and vitality. 

“It seems like we are always having curveballs thrown towards us, but our mission holds firm: provide top-quality crickets so pets and their owners thrive,” Armstrong said. “We’ve invested in advanced climate control and biosecurity to ensure every cricket is healthy. Our feed comes from trusted mills—no shortcuts—because our customers and their pets deserve the best. We ship year-round, adjusting our heat and cool packs to beat tough conditions, ensuring pet stores and customers stay stocked. It’s all about keeping that lizard or frog healthy and happy.”

Armstrong’s Cricket Farm goes beyond serving retailers with a steady supply of feeder insects. Their crickets are fed a wholesome diet which nourishes the ensuing pet that ingests them and are delivered in humane temperatures. “We give pet owners crickets they can trust, backed by 78 years of know-how,” Armstrong said. “Our Acheta domestica crickets are soft-shelled, protein-packed and fed a clean, toxin-free mix, making them ideal for reptiles, amphibians or tarantulas. With multiple farms, including one in Louisiana, we keep pet stores stocked year-round. Our shipping is dialed in—heat packs for cold weather, cool packs for hot and boxes that keep crickets alive and hopping. That means a bearded dragon or gecko gets a healthy meal every time. As a family-run business, now in its fifth generation, we’re not just selling bugs; we’re delivering confidence that your pet’s eating the best.”