I would love to only pay $30 a month for dubias. Harley is a monster and goes through about 900 a month which equals about $80 a month.
I got my colony up and running now but it was rough since out of the 40 females, 15 males, 100 large nymphs and 500 mixed nymphs, I lost like half due to something I have no idea about. They were in rough shape when I got them and so im figuring a combination of overheat, lack of food, rough handling, old age for females and males or just overall rough life led to about half of em dying. So I just chalked it up as a learning experience and now will only buy large nymphs from the guys I have been using for my feeders since the feeders are all very well packed and fat and happy when I get em and out of about 3000 roaches, I have not received a dead one yet. Only catch is this guy doesn't sell any females or males, just nymphs. So I'll just order a couple hundred large nymphs to bolster what I got.
Anyone ever use Dubi Deli? I'm debating giving them a try since they got large quantities(1000+) at pretty good prices. I've heard they are pretty good but would as much input as I can find. Anyways, from what I've learned, don't buy adult females and males since they are expensive and you have no idea about the age. Buy large nymphs and go from there. It will take longer but at least you know how old your adults will be and it will be cheaper.