Housing a *few* Dubia?

[TamiLynne]

Hi guys,

I've finally mustered up the courage to at least -try- roaches. Not that I'll be snuggling up to them anytime soon, but what's best for Brock is my highest priority. To wean myself onto this endeavor I was planning on ordering a small lot of Dubia to see how it goes. I don't want to jump headfirst into breeding them only to find that I just can't handle it. Anyhow.. I know a big ol' Sterilite tub is how most folks keep them, but that seems to be for a breeding setup. What would you recommend for housing just a few of the buggers? Say.. like.. 20 or so?

Thanks in advance!

-Tami*

 

[romanfj]

For 20 or so, a shoebox will be more than adequate.

Frank

 

[Phoenix17June2009]

if you are looking for somethign with a locking top i would use a critter keeper (thats what i'm doing)

 

[invictusrules]

My guys started out in a Gladware food storage container with some halved toilet paper towel rolls for playground equipment. :lol:

 

[Phoenix17June2009]

My guys started out in a Gladware food storage container with some halved toilet paper towel rolls for playground equipment. :lol:

thats cool, i woudn't of thought to do that

 

[sivuh5]

I started out with a 10 gallon Sterlite tub with a locking lid. I cut a hole in the lid and covered the hole with a piece of window screen attached with duct tape. Threw a few empty egg crates in there and bought 130 roaches from Ian at theroachranch.com. No heat, just a dark closet.

When I received the bugs I must admit, I was creeped out. They were much bigger than I thought they'd be. So my next purchase was a pair of 12" long tweezers from Petco so I wouldn't have to touch the bugs.

I wasn't sure at first if I could do it, but it's been about a month now and I just placed my order with Ian for my "starter colony", which I'll put in a 22 gallon tub with heat. I've gotten use to them (sort of) but what has really sold me is how easy they are to keep, how much less trouble they are than crickets, and how much my beardie loves them. He has gained 50+ grams in just over two weeks. Also, the idea of a self-sustaining (and ultimately free) food source is very appealing, considering I originally thought when I first got my beardie that I could just buy crickets at Petco, but at $.10 each that is just crazy!

Anyway, they are very easy to keep, and easy to feed, they never get away unless you drop one, and then they're really slow and easy to catch. No odor at all. The only thing that creeps me out is the size and the sound when there's a bunch in one spot - you can hear their little feet crunching away. Eww.

But talk to Ian (you can find him here under the For Sale forum or at theroachranch.com) and he'll treat you well. You have to be careful when ordering the roaches, because not all suppliers are the same. I learned that some suppliers bugs are much larger than others. Ian has free/fast shipping (mine usually get here overnight), generous overcounts, and I haven't had a single doa. Also GREAT packaging - I never have to touch a roach when I'm opening the box.

Hope that helps!
Sue

 

[reptilianboy831]

I would start out with atleast a hundred. I keep mine in a 55 gallon rubbermaid bin (Seemed a bit big for the 200 i got from Ian) but now i have over 70 reproducing females. I use human heating pads under the bin. And it was teh best investment ive ever done, I havent spent a dime on feeders since. And they tear through any organic waste you have from the kitchen.