A few question about Surinam roaches (Pycnoscelus surinamensis)

[vounti]

Hello everyone,

I ordered some Surinam cockroaches online since they are so easy to breed but I have a a few questions about their breeding, life cycle and how to care for them. The seller told me that they would need pretty wet substrate but how much wet ? Can I spray the top once a week?
The enclosure is ready. That is a 50x40x40cm terrarium with 10cm of coconut fiber. I tried to look on the internet but I seem to find no good articles/care sheet
So here are my questions:
- How wet does it have to be?
- Can they eat rotten fruits and vegetables?
- How often can adults give birth?
- Can they live without wood to eat?

 

[DomGom TheFather]

I keep mine in peat moss. I do not wet it. I allow access to water crystals and moisten that side pretty infrequently.
I give them melon, apples, carrots... Whatever but not rotten.
They reproduce pretty fast. It's a little hard to keep track
Wood? I throw some rabbit pellets in and call it good.
The nymphs are great feeders for slings if you prekill.

 

[vounti]

Thank you very much for the information

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Thank you very much for the information

No problem.
Just one more thing. I keep them in a smooth tub with a thin smear of Vaseline around the inside in about a two inch wide ring. The young ones can climb.
No more than a couple inches of substrate. One small piece of egg crate on the surface to the side.
Have fun, man.
They're neat.

 

[Arthroverts]

Allpets Roach Forum is also a good resource to check out for all things related to roaches.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[vounti]

The shipment with the roaches arrives tomorrow or wednesday. I thought I was ready until I saw little breeches in the enclosure so I made a new one but I have zero airtight enclosures.. I will add a video to the post

 

[vounti]

I wish I would not have to bother with vaseline because in my house sometimes the temperature reaches high. Do you guys think that if I add a heavy wood plank on the lid, would it be escape proof?

 

[Bob Lee]

You should not wet them, also despite being able to climb they stay underground all the time.