Starting a Dubia Colony

[snowdragon]

What will I need to start one? I am very new to Dubia so I need all the info I can get. Are they for the dragons? And from what I can tell its going to be much cheaper this way. TIA

 

[ajkry2]

From research it'll cost a little less than 150 for the starter roaches you need... I think you need about a 2:1 ratio males:females. PM Janie about this, shes a pro and a BIG roach advocate. Her name is zebraflavencs or something along those lines. I'm sure she'll be happy to tell you anything you need to know.

Look in the For Sale section, people are basically giving them away. Unless you want a "more reputable" roach source, then hit up Jason at The Roach Guy's Website -- he has quality, great sales, and good cutomer service

Sidenote: I'm thinkin about starting one too.

 

[snowdragon]

I think starting one up will save me money and its such a PITA to catch the crickets that get out.

 

[ajkry2]

I have an abundance of crix right now, but I'll probably start one up too, end of this month-ish...

Just gotta get the heat pad and I got what I need... Probably post up a thread with some instructions on how to start one I'll letcha know

 

[DragonsInKansas]

I started my colony several months ago and just in the past week or so the population has just exploded. It's the greatest thing ever not having to buy crickets anymore!!

 

[SugaReina]

I suggest you talk to Ian from the Roach Ranch. He's on the forums as well! Check out his website - it's very informative; and he's very good about reading and responding to email questions. I've been dealing with him for about a month (expecting my roaches tomorrow), and he was a pleasure to work with!

 

[clear]

First off, dubia are illegal to own and ship into Florida (Your profile says Tampa, so I am basing off that). Discoids are a little bigger than dubia but have all the exact same benefits.

 

[SugaReina]

Good call, didn't even realize that you were located in FL. It's true - illegal in the state. This is because FL provides a climate in which Dubia can thrive, but they are not native to the US, and we don't want them to because you never know how it will affect the eco system. Sorry!

 

[snowdragon]

Wow that really sucks...So what are my other options?

 

[snowdragon]

Are Discoids as easy to breed as Dubias?

 

[DragonsInKansas]

yes they are pretty much the same, they just get a little larger and i've heard they have a little more smell (not not 1/10th the smell of crickets)

 

[clear]

Discoids are just like dubia except they do have more of a smell (it still isnt bad) and they get larger which means a little harder exoskeleton. Still a great choice!

 

[snowdragon]

How long does it take for them to breed? How long will it be before that babies would be born?

 

[ajkry2]

from what i hear, 3 months-ish before you can start feeding out of it...

 

[osmbr]

i just started mine last night ordering more as we speak i really like jason over at theroachguy.com very fast email response and outstanding customer serivice 5*, haha but yeahh i only had one dead male in my order and there was more than he stated would be in there and they were fat