About Us

In 1969, Jon’s parents, Dale and Dorothy Bassett brought home, Double D-R J Cricket Ranch, and the life of cricket farming began. The folks also had a Sporting Goods Store and sold crickets as Fish Bait. As a young boy, Jon grew up working in the business, before and after school each day. He recalls complaining that as a boy, because of cricket farming, he missed out on Saturday morning cartoons. In the early ’80s, the cricket business made a shift into the Pet Industry while maintaining a steady business in sales for fish bait.

Just out of High School, Jon left the cricket business to become a Butcher. In 1980, while at work, Jon met the love of his life, Sandy. She was working part-time at the same specialty market while a student attending college married in September of 1981. Jon, working as a Butcher and Sandy working for an Accounting Office were approached by Dale (Dad) and asked if they would be interested in moving to Middleton, Idaho to run Bassett’s Cricket ranch of Idaho. It sounded like a great adventure and privilege so they agreed to the offer and away they went. Jon and Sandy came back to California in 1992 with 3 beautiful children. Jon worked in the family business of growing crickets where he was the Production Manager under his Dad’s leadership and Sandy had the most important role in the Family, she was MOM to two boys and our daughter.

In 2018, Jon and Sandy started Central Valley Cricket at the homestead location where it all started in Visalia, California. Jon has the help of his Mom, Dorothy who still lives on the ranch, and their three children, Jon, Manuel, and Cassandra. Dorothy comes and walks the ranch every day with joy seeing all the crickets. She is on the sounding board of a lot of the discussions regarding the ranch. The third generation does many jobs to help. Sandy and I are so proud of them.

It has been said that there were only (2) Cricket Whispers in the Family Business, Dale and Jon. This has made me proud of that statement. We both can walk into our building and instantly tell if there is a problem and fix it. For me, I say the crickets talk to me.

Jon and Sandy started Central Valley Cricket in 2018. We believe that Customer service is one of our strongest points along with our highest quality of the product. We oversee every order that is shipped to every state in the lower 48 states.

Jon and Sandy Bassett look forward to providing the Highest Quality Product and Customer Service to our Valued Customers,

Thank You.

About Our Crickets & Superworms

The Banded Cricket(Gryllodes sigillatus)

Central Valley Crickets uses the Banded Cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus). Trusted and proven, to provide the healthiest and best investment not only for you but your animals and or pets for the short term and long term.

The Banded Cricket

  • Longer Life Expectancy – Banded Crickets are known to live twice as long as other species of crickets used to feed animals and or pets.
  • Adaptable – To most environments, diets & temperatures.
  • Minimal noise – The Banded Cricket is known for its short wingspan which results in quieter crickets.
  • Less odor vs. other species – reported by MANY customers
  • Not aggressive towards animals or humans – Compared to other species of Crickets this is a plus.

Superworms

Central Valley Cricket, Approximately 2 inches long, Live Organically raised Superworms “Zophobas Morio”. “KEEP US WARM” perfect for your animal’s needs. Overpack in every order.

  • Over 38 years’ experience raising Superworms
  • Superworms are fed a special diet, Not just Bran
  • Superworms are Hand Caught and Cared for
  • Superworms are packed in bedding to keep your worms healthy and hydrated in shipping
  • Add small amounts of Oatmeal and apple, carrots, or potato’s when delivered