Too many roaches!

[artgecko]

I started a B. dubia colony last fall and it has really taken off in the last couple months. I now have a problem of too many roaches. My leos don't seem to care for them. A few will eat them but most just ignore them.

I also find that they are not as convenient to feed as mealworms. Takes too long to catch the roaches, and offer them to the geckos.

I put an ad on CraigsList but no one has contacted me. I may have to kill off some. I'm not sure how easy they are to ship and I know some states they are not allowed (Florida?). So, I'm not sure I want to bother with that. Wish I could just slow them down from breeding.

feeling frustrated....

 

[fl_orchidslave]

They are not allowed in FL unfortunately. I know what you mean about the excess- I had to kill off a couple thou large superworms this past week.

 

[clemsonguy1125]

Ive had to kill off some mealworms and pupa in the past because even after being in the fridge they were pupating and turning to beetles. I might post a ad on ebay. A bunch of people sell mealworms on there.

 

[THE WHISPERER]

Just as a thought, If there is a Reptile Rescue any where near you I'm sure they would be more than happy to take any extra off your hands. Most RR are based off donations, and pay for feeders out of their own pocket, donating Feeders would be just as good as donating money.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Rick, I've been donating them for the last 4 months.

 

[Neill]

To slow breeding take any heat off them. They can live in room temp but slow down on breeding. If you have to kill off some easy to scoop up a whole bunch and throw them in the freezer. Some of my adults don't eat them but all the babies I raised do. Give them nymphs as babies and they will eat all the way to adults.

 

[BadKelpie]

You stick them in baggies with crumpled newspaper, throw those in a flat rate usps box and send them to me .

 

[T-ReXx]

Shipping bugs is easy. They ship just fine USPS. Toss em in a box with a few pieces of egg crate, add a heat pack if necessary, seal it up and send it out Priority. Done it multiple times.

Or you could just get a "roach disposal." My new Beardie pair is doing a great job of keeping the roaches in check, lol.

 

[ReptileWorld]

cut the heat source off to the colony and just let it sit like that for a month and they will stop breeding and you can feed off of them as you want. when you want them to start producing again just put the heat source back on.

 

[acpart]

Someone on one of the Boston area craigslists is looking for roaches (I usually check Worcester, W. MA, South Coast, RI and NH as well as Boston, so I don't know which one I saw it on).

Aliza

 

[artgecko]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Dawn, pm me your address and I'll try sending some to you. Won't they die if sealed in a baggie?