Questions about Dubias...

[MSMD]

I've been doing a lot of reading of other threads and research on Dubia Roaches. They seem like a really good food source. I really like to provide a variety for my guys and I'm thinking about adding these. Right now I'm feeding/raising regular mealies and Supers. I also give them the occassional Waxie. For the record, I hate crickets.

I guess my biggest question/concern is, for those of you that have Dubia colonies, do they escape often?? What is the chance of them establishing themselves in your house?? These are my biggest concerns. Dealing with bugs/worms doesn't bother me at all. It's just the infestation issue that makes me nervous (as well as hubby ).

Thanks!

 

[Alusdra]

They require a heat source- so it should get cold enough to kill them (if you turn your heat off for a day). But seeing as they are non-climbing and only sort-of flying, they shouldn't escape if you have a tall enough container with a top.

 

[Snowy & Petra de Gecko]

Roaches

I do not have any.

But, the theory is that most of the Roaches come from a Tropical Environment. The adults can live for up to 2 years. Most of them bear their young live (I think.).

They need to be kept warm (or very warm) and somewhat moist.

If you live in a place that will get cold and MI gets cold the Roaches, in theory, should not be able to survive.

Additionally, if they cannot maintain their body heat or cannot find a nice warm place to breed then, they will have problems breeding.

Some climb glass and some don't. So you will have to obtain some that cannot climb glass and then have a go at it.

 

[MSMD]

Thanks! This helps. :yes: I was thinking that since I live in Northern Michigan, I might be safe! Now to the convincing hubby...... I'm sure he'll go for it as long as I am not risking a roachy infestation. lol

 

[Hayabusa]

If you get a deep enough enclosure for them you'll be fine, they cant climb smooth plastic.

Only trouble you'll have is if you drop some when out sifting out the small feeder ones.

 

[HepCatMoe]

ive never had a dubia escape. dubia pretty much suck at climbing, and smooth plastic will contain them. if your in MI then i would say you have about .00001% of them infesting your house.

even down here in AZ where we have wild american cockroaches that get about as big as dubia, they will sometimes wander into a house, but then if they do they just die from lack of food and water. a house is actually not a great environment for most animals, and most animals will die if they get trapped in a house.

there are only a few species that actually become pests.

for cockroaches you have to worry about german roaches and chinese roaches infesting your house. both of which are nothing like dubia.

so, end conclusion:

as long as you use common sense you are very unlikely to get an escape. and even if it escapes, its super unlikely that you will get a dubia infestation (other cockroaches are a different story).

but nothing is %100 for sure, anything is possible right? so if your still unconvinced, i would just recommend not getting roaches. the dubia can get pretty big, in terms of bugs.

 

[Kristi23]

We've never had one escape either. If I even thought they might be able to, we wouldn't have them here. The rare occasion that my husband has dropped one, he was able to grab it right away. They're not very fast.

 

[hoppslover]

Mari I really wouldnt worry to much about these guys. I was kind of worried about these guys but they have been great. The leos love them. I have not had any problem with them trying to escape. I really think that having places for them to hid in their container "ie egg crates" they really have no desire to try to escape. I put them in a sterilite 45 or 50 gal container. It has really been a good new food source that I wouldnt get rid of.

 

[Nigel4less]

I have over 5000 Dubias, and not one Escapee. But only about 3 species of Roaches are actually considered pest species.

 

[MSMD]

Thanks so much everyone! All of this info has been great. Exactly what I was looking for. I realize that nothing is 100% sure, but I am very relieved just knowing they're not actually one of the 'pest' species (I don't live in an area with cockroach problems, so I don't know which ones are bad lol). I think I am going to go ahead with the Dubia project. It sounds like they'll work out well. :yes: Hubby seems to be pretty satisfied, as well, so as of now I guess it's all systems go! I'm actually pretty excited. I hope my gecko kids like them! :main_laugh: I never thought I'd be excited about roaches.....:main_rolleyes:

 

[nats]

I have never had any escape either, they seem perfectly content as long as they have what they need.

As they are a tropical species, I don't think they could survive and reproduce in most places in the eastern states.

I have a hard enough time getting them to breed in a very controlled environment here in Maryland.

They are nothing like the "pest" roaches we know, these things are helpless.

Of course, most species can adapt, given time, and they may be able to thrive if you live in a very warm climate.

Perhaps in another 20 years or so, as dubias get to be more popular, they will have evolved enough to become a pest. And folks will say it was all started by reptile owners!! :main_laugh:

 

[MSMD]

lol TY for your thoughts, Nats!

 

[fOOlsgOld]

ROFL the other day on the evening news there was a blurb about 'exotic cockroaches becoming pests'. LOL hubby looked right at me :main_lipsrsealed::main_lipsrsealed: