Help me keep my dubia colony

[Mattrg]

I am being evicted from my appartment and none of my friends are willing to take in my roaches until I can get my own place again. One of them says I can stay with them but they are convinced that te roaches will infest. They even have this old camper with and extension cord running to it that they just use for storage now. I told them it would be perfect if they are grossed out but they think the the roaches might survive their yard and invade their home still. I know from the unanimous opinion of this forum and my own experience so far that they won't but how can I convince my friend? Does anyone have like a link to an official source that would inform them or know something I could say? I'm in kind of a bad situation right now but I'm really hoping that I won't have to sell the colony and start over again once I find my own place.

 

[Taterbug]

I don't have an official "will not infest" article, but perhaps you can share information from the care sheets about temperature and humidity requirements.

From personal experience, I've had many escapes - I've only found a handful, of those alive in the two years I've had my colony. Those were on the brink of death. I've never found babies, or escapees that I didn't know I was responsible for.

I doubt they would invade a house even if they got out, a yard is probably way more their preferred habitat than a kitchen.

Good luck.

 

[Mattrg]

My mom says I can keep them in her garage but she won't feed them. If I leave a weeks worth of food and water crystals will anything bad happen? I'm leaving town for a week on the 30th. I'm thinking maybe I could keep the lid off to reduce humidity. Would they be able to climb out? And would they survive for a week like that if I still keep the heat pad plugged in?

 

[Taterbug]

My mom says I can keep them in her garage but she won't feed them. If I leave a weeks worth of food and water crystals will anything bad happen? I'm leaving town for a week on the 30th. I'm thinking maybe I could keep the lid off to reduce humidity. Would they be able to climb out? And would they survive for a week like that if I still keep the heat pad plugged in?

I've left my colony for a week or two and they have been fine. Just make sure not to leave anything that will rot to badly - it may harm the colony and your mom sure won't like it. I've used carrots and alfalfa pellets for food/moisture while they are unattended.

What cage do you have? Lid on or off may be fine, as long as the sides are smooth.

I've had unfortunate individuals left in buckets for weeks with no food and water and they lived, they are very durable.

 

[Mattrg]

Ok that's reassuring thanks tater. So you didn't leave any water crystals? I think I might leave water crystals and leave the lid off.

 

[Taterbug]

Ok that's reassuring thanks tater. So you didn't leave any water crystals? I think I might leave water crystals and leave the lid off.

I used to use them, I see no problem using them, I just don't care to any more. I prefer they get their moisture from fruits and veggies and it's easier for me to not worry about keeping the crystals clean.