My B.Dubia Colony - Newbie+Pics

[SE7EN57]

Well I just went to the pet store I got my beardie from because I ran out of crickets and while I was there I decided to ask them if they knew a cheap place which was local I could scoop up some dubias. To my amazement someone had just dropped off a small colony of about 500 or so with mostly adults and sub adults for a store credit. I went ahead and asked the guy how much he wanted for the whole colony expecting some outrages price he said $20 and it was mine so I hopped on it and bought the whole colony.

Now, I have been doing some researching over the past few days how easy it is as far as how to raise these dubia otherwise I would have passed on buying them. I purchased a 30 gallon container to house them in that I bought from Big Lots for only $8 and spent $17 on a zilla heat pad which I have mounted to a piece of tile. There is about a 1inch space between the heat pad and the container because of how the bottom of the container is built its a perfect gap. I put some small holes in the lid for venting as well as put some carrots and oranges in there for them to feed on and man these guys must have been starving because they are gobbling it up quick.

Is there anything I have missed or advice I need to make it better. As of right now there are plenty of small dubia for my beardie to munch on so I'm sure this small investment has already paid for itself. I'm only feeding one small beardie so I'm sure what I have right now is more than enough. I posted some pictures of my setup so far and there are a ton more dubia in that container than you see in the pics lol.. 8)

 

[nenders]

IMHO, the lid needs more holes. Needs more air flow. I cut a large hole and stuck metal screening to it using hot glue. The screen is mainly to keep things out. Fruit flies and spiders can get in there. I have seen spiders eat a couple baby roaches. I would also stand up the egg crate material. I had a hard time finding. People say you get a few for free from breakfast places like Waffle House, IHOP or Perkins. Keep the food and water crystals away from the egg crates. I bought my water crystals from a nursery.

You got a great deal.

 

[SE7EN57]

Alright thanks for the tips.

 

[Rutabaga]

Great deal!! I bought a "starter kit" colony about a month ago. I definatly think you need more ventilation. Like nenders said...about an 8 inch square with mess screening glued to it so nothing could get in or out.

I would stand the egg crates up and if you cant find anymore...you can always use the empty cardboard rolls from papertowels and toilet tissue. The egg crates should be on the opposite side of the container from the food and water.

If you use the search feature on this site you should be able to find several threads with information on dubia colonies and pictures of setups. I learned alot from reading those threads!

Good luck!

 

[SE7EN57]

Yep I've been reading and searching the net all this time gathering info about these dubias. Thanks for the insight guys it's much appreciated. I have made a lot more holes for ventilation and have stood all the egg crates up like you guys have mentioned. The food is on the other side away from the great as well.

I never thought I would say this about bugs or even roaches for that matter but this is fairly interesting and fun at the same time lol... After looking through the colony a bit better earlier to see exactly what I have some of those guys are freaking huge and have to be over an inch long. Kinda scary till I get used to them I guess. Them little suckers have some killer grip to. :mrgreen:

 

[Rutabaga]

I have a major bug phobia but I am getting used to them. I don't have my beardie yet...just trying to grow my colony for when I do get my beardie in another month or so. I don't know if I will be able to actually touch the dubias though...that might just be too much for me. I have a long pair of feeder tongs so hoepfully that will work.

My husband wont even go in the laundry room anymore because he is more scared of bugs then I am. LOL

 

[SE7EN57]

Hehe.. I don't have any feeder tongs so I was using some chop sticks I had but them suckers kept squirming out lol. They are strong bugs that's for sure. I'm going to pick up some feeder tongs tomorrow because I'm just not comfortable picking them up by hand yet especially those huge males in there. I've got to get some water crystals tomorrow as well.

When I was taking those photos and lifting the crates one got on my hand and I literally had to pull it off because they sure don't shake off. I must say I'm glad to be done with crickets because I hatred those noisy smelly things. I put a dubia in the viv early for the first time and the poor little fella was so confused he didn't know whether to eat the thing or follow it around but he finally scarfed it down then as usual every evening around 5-6pm he climbs on his hammock on the cool side of the viv for bedtime so I cut out his lights and cover the viv with a blanket.

 

[fez09]

Not sure if I missed it but the dubia also need protien, I use ground up dog food...That's an awesome deal that you got, dubia are $2.00 per dozen at my local pet store (which is why I have a colony)

 

[clear]

Looks like you got a mixed bunch of roaches. Without better pics I cant tell you what all you have.

This is a Blaberus giganteus

 

[SE7EN57]

Ya he is the only one that looks like that in the colony but when I asked about it at the petshop yesterday he said the guy said it was a blaptica dubia but after doing some research that guy is definitely part of the blaberus family. I'm not to concerned because he is the only one from what I've seen in the colony. Thanks for pointing that out though.

 

[clear]

Get some close up pics of the nymphs. I will tell you if I see any that are not dubia.

 

[SE7EN57]

Took these from my phone so I hope these will do.

 

[DragonsNDoodles]

The rest look like dubias!!

 

[SE7EN57]

Should I separate that blaberus giganteus from the colony or will he be okay along with the dubias. Will he try to mate with the dubia females? If that's a bad thing I'll flatten that big sucker.

 

[clear]

You can keep him in there as a pet, you look good to go and he can not breed with the dubia.