thinking about dubia roaches. how do i make their bin?

[allaboutfish]

i need a cheaper alternative to crickets. ive chosen dubias bc i heard they are easy to breed, but i have some questions.
1. can i use a heat lamp?
2.do i need mesh on the top? can i just make holes?
3. how soon will they breed and how many should i start with?
4.can they have open water or are they like crickets?
anything else i should know?

 

[KnobCreek]

Here's a thread with some useful info...good luck.

viewtopic.php?f=75&t=157623

 

[allaboutfish]

would 300 mixed be enough to start a colony? i plan on feeding crickets until the roaches have a big enough colony, but would like to start feeding out of it after a month. i only have 1 baby bearded dragon.

 

[allaboutfish]

or would 200 mixed and 2 male adults and 10 female adults be better?

 

[allaboutfish]

i ordered 300 mixed, 1 adult male, 3 adult females, and 4 oz of water crystals. can i use a regular heat bulb to heat the container? i dont want to spend 30 dollars on a CHE for roaches.

 

[saleen89559]

You want it as dark as possible in your roach bin. Darkness, heat, and good food will get them to breed.

 

[allaboutfish]

i got a che and the bin is dark

 

[allaboutfish]

will they still breed at 82 degrees?

 

[saleen89559]

They will breed, but slower. roughly 90 degrees is what they like the most.

 

[triumphtt]

I used to breed them and the heat wasn't much of an issue another option is to put a heat pad on the outside. When I got Puff his last owner never used it so it worked out perfectly. Of course the draw back is that they all stayed on one side but i guess two would fix that problem. They heat seemed to be perfect temp also. Hope that helped or gave someone else ideas

 

[allaboutfish]

but the bins on carpet, and i already spent 35 on the CHE

 

[allaboutfish]

maybe if i hang it in the inside.

 

[triumphtt]

I put them on the sides where the egg cartons where. Sorry bout the confusion. If you happen to find one cheap or something that's an option.

 

[allaboutfish]

it was 85 last time i looked. i dont know if i added a heat pad if that would make it too hot. i could add a heat lamp during the day, and let it drop at night. i dont know.

 

[allaboutfish]

now that i put it in the bin and put the bin in my closet the temps at 98 is that too high?