Dubia Colony Info for newbs

[gregorydragon]

I discovered that the local breeder that sold us our beardie also breeds Dubia. She didn't offer this info when I bought him. Most people are probably freaked out by them so I understand. Anyway, I just bought 100 more (in addition to my highly anticipated starter kit from Jason). There were several adults in this hundred (at least 10 of each). My colony may be up and running in no time.

 

[stephenrose06]

I discovered that the local breeder that sold us our beardie also breeds Dubia. She didn't offer this info when I bought him. Most people are probably freaked out by them so I understand. Anyway, I just bought 100 more (in addition to my highly anticipated starter kit from Jason). There were several adults in this hundred (at least 10 of each). My colony may be up and running in no time.

I found at least two local people that breed them in utah. I still find it funny I'm more ok that I can pick up a Dubia with my fingers but don't like to touch any other bugs.

 

[gregorydragon]

I'm not there yet. The adult males still get me. I haven't touched one with my hands yet. The females are fine though. They have quite a strong grip. Its hard to believe that they cannot climb smoothe surfaces.

 

[Chubz]

just got my dubia's yesterday from the roach guy, i keep them inside in a tote with the screen on top and a heating pad on medium setting on the bottom left hand side of the tote where i keep the egg crate things i really hope they breed, but they are really cool to watch and werent as freaky as i thought they would be.


Also whoever posted for me to tell my girlfriend that they were tropical beetles, that was so funny and she still laughs about it !!! thanks again jason and eric for all the help on here. You guys ROCK !!!!


-Kurt

 

[ArchiesFamily]

I'm not there yet. The adult males still get me. I haven't touched one with my hands yet. The females are fine though. They have quite a strong grip. Its hard to believe that they cannot climb smoothe surfaces.

I still can't touch the adult males and I can't touch the legs of any size. :lol: I can pick up an adult female from her sides with her back up, but can't imagine her legs on me yet.

 

[gregorydragon]

just got my dubia's yesterday from the roach guy, i keep them inside in a tote with the screen on top and a heating pad on medium setting on the bottom left hand side of the tote where i keep the egg crate things i really hope they breed, but they are really cool to watch and werent as freaky as i thought they would be.


Also whoever posted for me to tell my girlfriend that they were tropical beetles, that was so funny and she still laughs about it !!! thanks again jason and eric for all the help on here. You guys ROCK !!!!


-Kurt

Just remember, that was beatles with an "A". :laughhard: because everyone likes the Beatles.

 

[Chubz]

just got my dubia's yesterday from the roach guy, i keep them inside in a tote with the screen on top and a heating pad on medium setting on the bottom left hand side of the tote where i keep the egg crate things i really hope they breed, but they are really cool to watch and werent as freaky as i thought they would be.


Also whoever posted for me to tell my girlfriend that they were tropical beetles, that was so funny and she still laughs about it !!! thanks again jason and eric for all the help on here. You guys ROCK !!!!


-Kurt

Just remember, that was beatles with an "A". :laughhard: because everyone likes the Beatles.

haha ya thats right !!! :headbang: :headbang:

 

[augsburg1530]

You guys are way out of control! :bleick:

I've gotta go feed and water my beatles now

Eric

 

[stephenrose06]

well I got my kit but will get my heater tomorrow so I am keeping the roaches now in a bigger pet carrier with good ventilation and tomorrow will set up everything. So hopefully I will be able to do this.

 

[Laurmann2000]

Thanks Eric, for this information. Very helpful and gives me a good idea of what to expect. What I realize is that the 250 that I ordered and thought as SOOOO many is not going to be as many as I thought. I figured I'd be able to feed off of these while still having them breed but I guess I shouldn't feed off too many and will have to keep the crickets for a while longer.

 

[augsburg1530]

Yeah, it will take your 250 a while to get going. While I waited on my colony I ordered lobster roaches from http://www.aaronpauling.com instead of dealing with crix. Lobsters are not as nice to keep as Dubia but are way better than crix and Spike seemed to eat them better too.

Keep up the good work, soon you will have a Dubia colony just exploding with babies!!!

Eric

 

[clamentfamily]

So what is the best ratio of females to males for breeding. I see here 1 male to 3 females, but I thought I read on another thread that 1 male to 10 females was best. I am close to convincing my hubby that "tropical beetles" are the way to go and once I'm sure the temp will stay below 90 here in vegas I plan to order my starter kit plus some extra breeding pairs.

 

[clamentfamily]

Silly question here... how did you count them - especially the small ones. I was wonderng if there was some type of standard measurement such as approx ____ small dubia's per cup.

 

[Laurmann2000]

Yeah, it will take your 250 a while to get going. While I waited on my colony I ordered lobster roaches from http://www.aaronpauling.com instead of dealing with crix. Lobsters are not as nice to keep as Dubia but are way better than crix and Spike seemed to eat them better too.

Keep up the good work, soon you will have a Dubia colony just exploding with babies!!!

Eric

Thanks once again, Eric. You are truly a roach enabler. :wink: I just ordered 1000 lobster roaches from aaron to use as feeders. I am determined to get rid of the crickets. I got my 250 dubia's today and have them all set up in their bin. I'm really excited about them. I can't believe I opened that box of 250 and there was no smell at all. If that was crickets I would have passed out from the smell. I think I'm in love with roaches. LOL I actually find the dubias quite cute.

BTW can I keep the 1000 feeder lobsters in a 10g fish tank? Tank, my beardie, eats about 50 to 60 medium crickets a day so I assume he'll eat about the same amount of roaches. So he should go through 1000 roaches in about 18 days or so. Can they stay in a fish tank without heat for that long?

 

[gregorydragon]

Silly question here... how did you count them - especially the small ones. I was wonderng if there was some type of standard measurement such as approx ____ small dubia's per cup.

I would be interested in knowing this too. I think it is an estimate based on knowing how many adult females you have and estimating how many babies they will have each month, but that is purely a guess.