dubia roach question

[Star1]

I've started breeding my own roaches, but it's going really slow so I can't use them for feeders yet. I read that they can't survive when it's cold, so I've got a heater under them that keeps it around 85-88 degrees. I was wondering if they could survive without it, my house stays between 68 and 71 degrees.

 

[Caleb C]

they can survive in that temperature, but they won't breed unless it's over 80.

 

[Star1]

I ended up finding an insect forum but everyone said something different. Some people said they keep theirs at room temp and they breed like crazy

 

[Caleb C]

I've personally had them at room temp around 70 degrees for a while. Mine didn't breed, but they did breed when i moved them to the garage during summer months. I keep them in the garage now, and it sometimes gets pretty cold.

 

[scm133]

I am late..but feed them cantaloupe. I swear it is like an aphrodisiac for dubias. Temps at 85, and keep them in the dark.

 

[Star1]

I've been experimenting with different foods... the cantaloupe was the only thing they ate all of

 

[Geckomaster743]

Cantaloupe sounds good, They came in large quantities for a few buck each. Though I'd look at nutrition sources, and find things better filled with Vitamin A. Not too sure in how full of Vitamin A cantaloupes are but do they like apples or is that too hard, and chewy for them? Then again Gulfcoast probably knows more about the roach's then me. I don't breed insects :3

 

[Caleb C]

Pretty much any fruit will do as long as they're willing to eat it and you dust them before feeding. They will readily accept most sweet fruits, and oranges seem to be eaten very fast as well. I've actually never tried cantaloupes. Focusing on one vitamin isn't good either, making sure that they get enough of all vitamins is the best. Just make sure to refrigerate calcium/vitamin powders, and only take out a small portion at a time to use. Throw them out and replace with new powders around once a year.

 

[Star1]

I guess I'm doing something right, I saw a bunch of little baby roaches last night!

 

[scm133]

Word of wisdom...use cantaloupes sparingly. I found that they do drawn gnats...ugh.
I daily give mine carrots, water crystals, and ProGecko Chow. Star, if you are seeing baby roaches then you are doing it right!!

 

[Caleb C]

Roach chow is great, although expensive. I gave a spoonful to crickets once, and they all went for it, they left the fruit there to rot. I love how baby roaches slowly pop out of nowhere.

 

[Star1]

Word of wisdom...use cantaloupes sparingly. I found that they do drawn gnats...ugh.
I daily give mine carrots, water crystals, and ProGecko Chow. Star, if you are seeing baby roaches then you are doing it right!!

They don't get it very often and they eat it super fast so I haven't had a problem yet I will watch out for that though!

 

[Camel413]

The key to getting the roaches to breed is high heat and higher humidity. Temperatures all the way up to 90-95 degrees are idea. If the temps are in the 70s some breeding might happen but nothing like it could. The higher humidity makes it easier for them to molt. Once those two issues are solved breeding will skyrocket. Fresh fruits and vegetables will help also. Oranges seem to be a favorite for my roaches. One last thing that was already mentioned was keeping them in darkness. Roaches do not like light. I keep mine in the grey sterilite totes with a screened lid. If you use an aquairum it is recommended to spray paint the outside black to block the light. They stay in my bug building in the dark for the most part, there is only light in there when I am in there messing with them. If it is feasible a closet is an idea place to keep a colony as it is usually warmer and darker than the rest of the house.

 

[Amanda1]

I heard humidity was a bad thing since it promotes mold growth...
Also, I've been feeding my small colony crested gecko diet (CGD), mostly out of laziness. They love it, but it gets expensive. I tried cat food and cereal (which was suggested by the person I bought them from) but they didn't seem to like it.

 

[Camel413]

I try to keep my colonies at a minimum of 50% humidity. I only have a mold issue if I dont clean often enough. As for a food source I recommend using a lower protein plant based food. In the wild these roaches will consume decaying leaves and plant litter. Cat food is very high in protein and not a good food to use. I like chicken feed, rabbit pellets, ect. Anything that is mostly plant based and below 18% protein. They usually like sweet things so I would think they would like the cereal but you might try bread, just watch for mold issues.

 

[scm133]

My colony loves the ProGecko chow, but it is pricey.