The Legacy of "Mr. Cricket" and the Warren Cricket Farm

Born and raised right here in Dunn, NC, Waylon Warren, affectionately known as "Mr. Cricket", Mr. Warren, didn't just farm bait; he perfected it. What began in 1947 evolved into a third-generation legacy that served anglers and bait shops across the country.

Strategically located to offer the most affordable shipping in the Mid-Atlantic, the farm became a sanctuary for the industry. Before the transition to new ownership as Carolina Cricket Farm, Waylon's facility stood as the only one to remain untouched by the devastating virus that wiped out Acheta populations across the U.S. and preserving the freshest, healthiest, and hardiest crickets for over 70 years as a premier multi-generational family enterprise.

From a Backyard Hobby to a National Empire

The story of the farm is a classic piece of North Carolina history. It began not as a massive commercial plan, but as a hobby started by Waylon’s wife. She began raising crickets simply to ensure Waylon always had bait ready for his fishing trips.

By the mid-1950s, the "Warren Cricket" had developed a reputation. Local anglers began knocking on their door, and by 1956, community sales began in earnest. Waylon took the reins and dedicated the next seven decades to perfecting the craft of cricket farming.

Scale and Impact

Under Waylon’s leadership, the farm expanded into a 33,000-square-foot facility on Bait Road. At its height, the farm was shipping approximately 70 million crickets annually. Waylon’s "old-school" business model was rooted in a simple but powerful truth: 70 years of Acheta experience meant more crickets per tube and a hardier, healthier cricket that drove more profit for bait stores and customers alike.

Unmatched Resilience

The Warren facility was famously the only cricket farm to remain untouched by the virus that decimated Acheta populations across the United States. This resilience, combined with a central Mid-Atlantic location for affordable shipping, made Waylon Warren a legend in the industry until his passing in 2022 at the age of 85.

A Legacy that Leaps

Today, Carolina Crickets is honored to carry forward Waylon’s legacy on Bait Road. We’ve kept the tradition of quality alive, ensuring that 'Mr. Cricket’s' high standards for the hardiest, healthiest Acheta crickets remain the gold standard for our community and beyond. We’re not just raising crickets; we’re preserving a fishing tradition - a legacy that leaps!

Carry on the legacy: Get the Original Acheta Carolina Fishing Cricket Here>