Mind helping a noob start a dubia colony?

[reillyrebekahann]

Hey everyone!
As stated, I'd really like to start a Blaptica Dubia colony.
I tried researching this and have read alot of things talking about heating. Do I have to keep them heated? I bought 50 babies and they have grown a little bigger since then (about a month), but I have not been using heat. Should I be if I want to have a healthy, decent-sized, colony quickly?
Any information about anything referring to this topic would be very amazing.
I have been feeding them collard greens, occasional carrots, a tiny bit of fish and dog food and have been giving them cricket water gels and a little bit of cricket diet. Is that appropriate?
I really haaate crickets because they are dreadfully evil and that is why I want to make the switch.
Also, I am tight on money (aren't we all ) and hoping that I can maintain a healthy, productive colony cheaply. I have three beardie mouths to feed.



Any help/information/suggestions would be deeply appreciated.

 

[TASTIGER]

they will live without heat but will not breed it needs to be around 80-90

 

[volvotech]

Google is your best friend.

Roaches, like many other pets and insects people keep, can survive in less than ideal conditions. For a thriving colony, however, these are excellent guidelines: http://aaronpauling.com/care-sheets/care-dubia-roach.

 

[cook]

they will live without heat but will not breed it needs to be around 80-90

not true, ive had mine without heat since i got them and they are breeding. the temps stays around 70 degree's.

 

[midmichicer]

Optimal temp for breeding is around 95, but will breed slowly in cooler temps.

 

[reillyrebekahann]

Thank a lot guys, that's pretty helpful.

 

[techdave]

1. Higher temps such as 85-90 is optimal for breeding as they are a tropical roach.

2. Food: Naval oranges are like viagra to them. What's good for your beardie is good for your dubias. Mine liked butternut squash the most.

3. They need a high protein diet. Without protein, they will start eating the wings off the males. I've even seen them eat the heads out of some of them. I used water crystals from a home improvement store. Just make sure it doesn't have any pesticides in them.

From the time they're born to a full grown adult, it takes about 6 months or so. If you want a colony quick that you can feed out of, buy ALOT more dubias. Adults and nymphs.

 

[clear]

Wow. Some crazy answers here.

Dubia roaches will breed in temps as low as 65F. One main problem with lower temps is lower humidity in most areas. I have some of my colonies at house temp (72-76) and I have the same production with my colonies in the 87-92 range. Stressing the roaches out is another problem that most people do and not even realize it. Do not disturb your colonies unless your feeding and watering them.

 

[MarleyMoe]

Getting mine this week so keeping tabs on this thread for some pointers aswell

 

[ReptileGuardian]

I have a colony of dubias and my girlfriend and I provide them with egg crates, oranges, carrots, various lettuces, puppy chow, and basically whatever fruits or veggies are starting to get old. We have ours right by a room space heater so they stay around 80-90 degrees daily. We're going to be purchasing another mini-colony (about 300 various size roaches) to add to it so we can begin to regularly feed our beardie from it. Also we spray down the whole rubbermaid tub with water daily to help keep the humidity up.

 

[techdave]

Also we spray down the whole rubbermaid tub with water daily to help keep the humidity up.

You gotta be careful doing that. If the egg crates become moldy, it could wipe out your whole colony.
I used water crystals and orange slices to keep the humidity up in my colony.

 

[reillyrebekahann]

I keep putting mine near my lights that hang over my viv.
I read up here somewhere that this guy painted an ice chest black and used that to keep his roaches in and he sticks it outside and lets the sun do all of his work. He said he spends 6/7 cents on heating for them a year. I'm wondering what he's doing when it gets cold out..he must live in a warm area.

I've also seen people totally wire this ice chests with bulbs all over it, and jeez man that's just too much work for some dang roaches. I'm cool with doing all of this work for my beardie but all of the extra money getting spent on the roaches sucks.

 

[MarleyMoe]

I've got ours now and got them on top of Marley's viv right over where the light hangs. Also got a 7w heat mat for when it drops cooler.

What temps are they supposed to be at? My temp gauge is hovering at 24 celcius and 74 Fahrenheit. Think i may have put the temp dial too high lol.