Question about Dubia Heating

[Insubordinate]

I have a EXOTERRA NightGlo 75w light that hits the correct temps for my small Dubia colony (they should be here within a day). I was wondering if the light emitting will disturb the roaches. I have egg crates set up so they can hide.
Thanks in advance! :main_thumbsup:

Edit: It is this exact bulb.

 

[Insubordinate]

What is everyone using to heat their dubia roach colonies, and in what kind of containers? Thanks!

 

[Chestersmom]

Right now I'm using a heating pad for my colony. I have used blacklight bulbs in the past and never had an issue.

 

[Norrad]

I used a 33qt sterilite tub and an exo-terra heat mat under it. Roaches thrived!

 

[Designer Geckos]

We keep our dubias in a leo rack with the back of the tubs kept at 90-92. We keep the egg crates at the back of the tub which is where they hang out, and keep the (organic) carrots (sliced lengthwise) towards the front so the heat doesn't wilt them. We use Science diet dry adult cat food for their main food, and also use Fluker's high calcium cricket diet.

 

[steve905]

Why use a light bulb when you can use a heat pad that uses less electricity than a bulb...Lasts longer and doesn't melt your tub if it comes in contact with it...Just a thought...

 

[Norrad]

Why use a light bulb when you can use a heat pad that uses less electricity than a bulb...Lasts longer and doesn't melt your tub if it comes in contact with it...Just a thought...

Plus roaches don't like light :main_no:

 

[gothra]

We use UTH set at 93-95F.

 

[Insubordinate]

I ordered a UTH for it, but it wasn't hitting the right temps. The first time I used it, it unstuck itself. I wrapped it in aluminum foil and taped it to the bottom and again didn't get the right temps. They just came so I needed some way to have the correct temps.

 

[sambenz]

Ice chest

I am trying an old ice chest in an attempt to conserve electricity. I got an old internally smooth plastic 70 qt chest, cut a hole in the top and screened it, then I have a CHE above connected to an thermostat with the prob inside set to 90. Do you think this is a good idea? I am pretty new to rearing bugs.

 

[Norrad]

I am trying an old ice chest in an attempt to conserve electricity. I got an old internally smooth plastic 70 qt chest, cut a hole in the top and screened it, then I have a CHE above connected to an thermostat with the prob inside set to 90. Do you think this is a good idea? I am pretty new to rearing bugs.

Sounds good as long as they can't get out and there is no fire hazard. They are tropical roaches so they like it hot. They will sustain in cooler temps, but just don't populate as fast. The bigger problem with that is Dubia are a slower to get established roach, but once established you'll be up to your ha ha's in bugs! :main_laugh:

 

[ReptileWorld]

Hey guys just got my first group of Dubia in. i have them set up in a 58qt plastic bin with a vent cut in the lid with screan mesh for ventilation. i have egg crate in there slanted a bit. for food im using a dry cat food which i alternate with fresh fruit approx every 3 to 4 days. i keep a small dish of water gel 24/7.

For heating i am using a under tank reptile heat pad and with this alone i am only getting 75 to 77 dagrees. I added a 40 watt red night bulb for them and only got to 79. i found in my supplys a 60 watt ceramic bulb which i placed right on top of the vent of the bin. so far it bounces between 80 to 81 dagrees. i wanted to get it to 90 but would be happy even with a steady 85.

does anyone have any tips?


also i am looking to pick up some more dubia any suggestions?

 

[Norrad]

Hey guys just got my first group of Dubia in. i have them set up in a 58qt plastic bin with a vent cut in the lid with screan mesh for ventilation. i have egg crate in there slanted a bit. for food im using a dry cat food which i alternate with fresh fruit approx every 3 to 4 days. i keep a small dish of water gel 24/7.

For heating i am using a under tank reptile heat pad and with this alone i am only getting 75 to 77 dagrees. I added a 40 watt red night bulb for them and only got to 79. i found in my supplys a 60 watt ceramic bulb which i placed right on top of the vent of the bin. so far it bounces between 80 to 81 dagrees. i wanted to get it to 90 but would be happy even with a steady 85.

does anyone have any tips?


also i am looking to pick up some more dubia any suggestions?

How big and what wattage is the UTH?

 

[ReptileWorld]

Using a repti therm zoo med under tank heater. 30 to 40 gallon. and it uses 16 watts. i originally had a 10 to 20 gallon size but i felt a larger one would cover more space and provide better heat but it only went up a few dagrees.

 

[Norrad]

Using a repti therm zoo med under tank heater. 30 to 40 gallon. and it uses 16 watts. i originally had a 10 to 20 gallon size but i felt a larger one would cover more space and provide better heat but it only went up a few dagrees.

I think you'll be fine with that alone. As long as your not keeping the container in very cold temperatures they will hoard up around the UTH. Well except when you put some cat food out, they its funny as hell to watch them MOB the bowl. :main_laugh:

 

[ReptileWorld]

I think you'll be fine with that alone. As long as your not keeping the container in very cold temperatures they will hoard up around the UTH. Well except when you put some cat food out, they its funny as hell to watch them MOB the bowl. :main_laugh:

so far i have started them off with oranges and i have only seen 1 or 2 feed for the first 2 nights. then one night i came in just to see and there was like 7 or 8 around the bowl and it was kind of funny to watch but man they made quick work of that.

i just worry about the temps because these crickets are killing me and i want to get these guys up and producing on a steady level so i can start feeding out of them lol.

i have a few tiny nymphs which i have fed to the frogs they love them.

 

[Norrad]

so far i have started them off with oranges and i have only seen 1 or 2 feed for the first 2 nights. then one night i came in just to see and there was like 7 or 8 around the bowl and it was kind of funny to watch but man they made quick work of that.

i just worry about the temps because these crickets are killing me and i want to get these guys up and producing on a steady level so i can start feeding out of them lol.

i have a few tiny nymphs which i have fed to the frogs they love them.

Just have patients, as I said once they get going... POW! Good luck with them I'm sure they'll do fine for you.

 

[ReptileWorld]

Just thought i would share with everyone my findings. i decided to take off the ceramic heat bulb and cover the dubia bin with a towel. this keeps it a bit darker for them and also has trapped more heat within the bin and is still allowing air exchange on top of which is maintaining the humidity much much better.

with only the heat pad i achieve 75 to 77 sometimes 78. with adding the ceramic heat emitter it got me to 80 to 81.

taking the ceramic heat emitter off and adding the towel i am achieveing 80 to 82 dagrees and 45 to 50% humidity.

so far so good!

Still looking for a way to get the bin to 85 to 90 if anyone has any other tips please share. :main_thumbsup:

 

[theCREECH]

I watched a guy on youtube mount his UTH on the lid of his tub. That way the Dubia can't get to it and burn, but it seemed to put more radiant heat into the tub. Also he used foil tape to mount it. Just a thought.

this is all pretty interesting. I'm here in colorado (cold) and a guy on CL said that all he heats his with is a 30w night time bulb. Said it works pretty good. He wanted to sell me 200 adults and 400 nymphs for 275.00 with the tub.