Starting A Dubia Colony

[AJD]

Ive just recently started a Dubia colony after weeks of mixed feelings about it. I ordered from Doodlebugscritters.com, and Debbie (the owner) is just great; worked a deal out with me, and has very reasonable prices.

As for a set-up, I have a 30 gal rubbermaid bin, egg flats, paper-towel rolls, and a 50 watt sunbeam heat mat. I keep a digital thermometer on top of the heated area, and it reads around 84-90 degrees once fully warmed up.

Made my own roach chow from various high-protein cereals, pancake mix, and dog food. (I had to make my own because the chow that came with my order was eaten by my dogs :lol: )

I ordered 22 females, 10 males, 200 small nymphs, and 100 medium nymphs.

Ill post pictures of everything soon.

Im really new to the roach deal so any tips or tricks of the trade would be greatly appreciated! :mrgreen:
Thanks!

 

[cr1chard]

There's not much of a trick to them - it's ridiculous how easy they are to breed. The most important thing is to just leave them alone to do their thing before you start feeding out of it. The only little tip that I can recommend is not to waste the greens that your beardie doesn't eat - put them in the bin, and the dubias will take care of them with the quickness.

 

[Beardieboy2001]

Thinking I need to start one of these colonys. Can they or are they to be kept inside house or basement while they are doing their thing?

 

[cr1chard]

You can keep them anywhere that you're comfortable leaving a plastic bin with a heating pad plugged in. Mine is next to my beardie enclosure in the living room. Aside from some late night skittering, you wouldn't know what's in there.

 

[AJD]

Thinking I need to start one of these colonys. Can they or are they to be kept inside house or basement while they are doing their thing?

I keep mine in my garage to prevent any getting into my house. I live in MN, so it gets un-godly cold. As long as you have a heat mat that keeps it above 65, they will live. I use a solarbeam human heat mat, and it keeps it at about 84. Keeping them in a cold place with a warm mat also makes them stay at the bottom, and not crawl up the sides of the bin.