Roaches

[ReptileAddiction]

I have always heard that dubias if they get out they will just die. How true is this? I will keep them in my garage so during the summer they wont need any heat. I will NOT have a roach infestation I know 1 or 2 will get out. Will they grow up and breed? I also heard madagascar hissers are not good feeders because they have a hard shell. Is this true?

 

[DragCity]

Depends on where you live. If you lived in a hot, humid, climate state (Florida, Louisiana, etc.) then they may be able to survive outside of their bin provided there is adequate heat, moisture/humidity, a water source for drinking and food. That is the only way an infestation could occur.

A nymph would not make it to adulthood if the temps dip below 68F degrees with below 30% humidity, as they require moisture to shed their exoskeleton. It would essentially be trapped in it's own molt and die. Likewise, adult pairs will not breed if temps fall below 85F degrees.

Madagascar Hissers are not good feeders due to their hard exoskeleton which poses an impaction risk.

 

[ReptileAddiction]

I live in California so 20% humidity is an extremely rare occurrence. There hopefully would not be a water source in my garage or else we have bigger problems. (One time I flooded the bathroom and it all leaked into the garage :shock: ). I think I will get a rubbermaid bin and hook it up to a thermostat and heat pad. Can I use a thermostat with the bin? I could duct tape the probe on the floor of the tub.

 

[Brieana]

I would put the thermostat probe in the middle of the bin or the opposite side because unless it's 90 degrees in your house, they probably won't overheat. You just need to give them a cool side to escape the heat.

 

[ReptileAddiction]

Ok thanks I will set the thermostat to 85 degrees and only have it on the egg crate side.

 

[kjinxx2]

If you set up your bin properly you will never have any escape

 

[Doublet74]

A good way to prevent escapes is to wrap clear packing tape around the inside top three inches of your container. They dont climb real well and will fall back down if they make it to the tape. Not fool proof but a good insurance policy.

 

[ReptileAddiction]

I will do that then put a layer of vaseline above that I know it is kinda going to far but I can deal with a few crickets out but NO roaches

 

[kjinxx2]

Don't do the Vaseline it just gets messy. I promise they won't get out, just put 2 rows of tape if you're nervous

 

[esn]

To be honest, I was breeding dubias in a rubbermaid bin in my dorm. One escaped and I found the nymph in my bed. Luckily it wasn't even half an inch yet. But I've only ever had one get out, and I believe it to be because my egg crates were stacked pretty high, touching the lid.

Also, they can climb certain plastic containers. Feel the sides of a bin before you by it - it needs to be absolutely baby smooth, or you're going to have to tape around the top edges (which is really easy- double sided tape is easiest) or use the vaseline trick, which I think is gross.

Never set out sticky traps in a reptile room, though. I had a mass cricket escape a long time ago and set out a sticky trap - probably about 200 two weekrs that got out of my order of 1000 crickets, which was poorly packed. I also had a reptile escape the same day without realizing, and found my poor small iguana on the sticky trap when I got home. Two hours and a cup of vegetable oil later, he was off and fine, but I will never set out bug traps again. A child's mistake, but still.

So if you're worried, definitely go for taping around the edges. That's your best bet. However, if you bin is tall enough and smooth enough, the likelihood of them getting out is very small. Keep the area lighted and them well fed and you'll find that they don't want to even leave the tub anyway.

They love paper towel tubes as much as egg crates, and both of those are free. Don't be one of those people that wastes money on ordering crates - you can ask for a hundred from your local grocery store. They're just going to be recycled anyway.

 

[ReptileAddiction]

Ok thanks.

 

[Mattmar42]

I've been keeping dubia for about 6 months, they're not so eager to escape as crickets, and won't hop out like a cricket would. I've never had any escape with a lid on the top.

 

[ReptileAddiction]

That is reassuring

 

[XtinaBeardieMom]

I live in TX where it's hot & humid almost all the time, which should be perfect breeding grounds for dubias. However, I have had a few escaped dubias (mostly during sorting/cleaning) and I will later find them all dried out and dead within a week. I don't think they can go very long at all without water or they'll dehydrate pretty quickly. If I've never had issues with an escapee infestation here in TX, then I don't think anyone would... but that's just my personal opinion.

 

[ReptileAddiction]

Wouldnt they be able to find some sources of water? Like a drop of water on the floor?