Just got Dubias... Thought they were odorless?

[essenm25]

[TOPIC AUTO-LOCKED DUE TO INACTIVITY]

I just started my dubia roach colony about 2 weeks ago and have about 650 mixed. I could smell an odd smell so I switched out the food, thought maybe it was that but its not. I even changed the type of food I put in and have the same smell so I don't think its associated. Anyway its not a terrible smell but I can def faintly smell it when I walk in the room and when I take their lid off.

[essenm25]

Any way my question is, is there something wrong or do they have an odor?

[GoFast]

I think they do. Although, that smell pales in comparison to crickets.

[Bbell]

First they DO have a slight odor, whatever you do. Second it will be less if you have some ventilation in their crates. IE screen cut into the top, and some smaller screened holes on the bottom along the sides. I also keep a ceiling fan running in the lizards room, it helps. They by far are the less smelly, easier feeders I have done.

[essenm25]

Thanks guys! Yeah its not too bad I was just making sure it was normal.

I have a pretty standard set up; egg crates, hole cut in the top of the tub, and heating pad underneath. I am afraid it isn't getting hot enough for them though. Is a heating pad what you guys use? On high, always on?

[Fallencomrade2008]

Thats what i use, they will stay alive at 70 and they will breed at 85-90 ish some times a little cooler still works. The smell will depend on how well there cage in maintained, honestly i don't think its the bug that smells i think is small leftover bits of old food. Mold can stink like hell too.

[suzuki4life]

when you have more tubs you will notice they stink. Its mostly just the molts. Keep them cleaned out and the odor will decrease heavily.

[essenm25]

How many can live in one tub?

[suzuki4life]

Depends on the size of the tub.

They live happily in crowded conditions if
There is enough,
Food,
Water,
Heat.


And I do not recommend more than a 1.4 ratio on the adults.

[jodyberry]

@essenm25

Post some pics if you get a chance!

[wes]

Dubia seem to have a faint earthy smell. But if you smell it when you enter the room, unless it is a small room, I suspect a problem with bacteria growing in medium that is too moist. I've found sources of foul odors to be damp frass or egg crates (caused by too much humidity) or the water crystals needing to be changed.

[JenFid]

I was also under the impression that they didn't smell, but yes they do in fact. I keep mine in a closet in our office/lizard room and you can't smell a thing until you open the closet door. I would agree though that they are not nearly as stanky as crickets, not to say that they smell bad, just weird.
Putting in fresh oranges or any aromatic fruit seems to help.