b.dubia roaches

[djb]

hi i was thinking about getting some b.dubia roaches so i can feed to my tarantulas. Do they need any kind of light? and do they need substrate? also if you put the egg crates in there is that what they lay eggs on?
thanks

 

[whitewolf]

What I've found searching the boards.
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=151414&highlight=dubia


After reading many post I went with something many others have done. One of those extra big plastic containers from walmart with snap shut lids even though they can't climb. Cut out and 6X6 hole in the lid with drummal tool and hot glued screen to the top to allow ventalation but keep out other critters. U can find sceen that keeps out no see um and small bug or window screen. 82 as temprature med high humidity egg crates. I just followed what everyone else is already doing on the boards. There are pictures of cages and losts of info but just gotta search for em'. I love them compaired to discusting crickets. Even saved a couple as pets and took to moms work since she works in the local county extention office. Her boss let her use some of my animals to teach with. Dubia bear live young from what I've read.

 

[djb]

ok ill try that so do i need to mist there cage once i get some

 

[whitewolf]

Umm depeands I've got my own T room which is naturally the hottest most humid room in the house. So everything stays pretty perfict on its own. I only mist the flats when their dry but I'd pull up some care sheets and ask around about frequency they mist. My T room runs about 75-80 at night and 80-84 in the day during summer. Its humid hear down by the water so without misting it stays pretty high down there.

 

[djb]

ok thanks for helping me now i need to buy some:} for a good deal

 

[Arachnobored]

B. dubia do not like excessive humidity or moisture.

Moisture from a water gel dish or even the fresh produce you feed them is ample.

I never mist, as the downside is mould, mites and dank smelly conditions.

 

[Moose9]

No light, no substrate. I keep mine in a 55 gal. rubermaid tote w/2 small screens in top for ventilation. There is about 16 egg flats for hiding, the top half off a 12 egg carton full of food, and a 32oz plastic bottle with ½" holes in the side of lid full of water gel turned upside down and provides moisture and keeps humidy at about 30%. The water gel lasts for about 2 weeks at the moment. I use a human heating pad (no auto shutoff) on both ends which is controled by a thermostat so pads don't get to hot. I put an orange in once a week. Everytime I check on them, I see new baby nymphs. I seperate the males and sub adult nypmps out once a month and feed them off (lots of mouths to feed). B. dubia give live birth of around 20 or more nymphs, which are a cream color, same as when they molt.

 

[jmiller]

and a 32oz plastic bottle with ½" holes in the side of lid full of water gel turned upside down and provides moisture and keeps humidy at about 30%. The water gel lasts for about 2 weeks at the moment.

Hey Moose9,
Would you mind elaborating on your water gel dispenser. A picture would be greatly appreciated.

I need to get a longer lasting water deal going and this sounds like it works good for you.

Thanks for any help.

Jay

 

[Moose9]

Water gel dispenser

Hey Moose9,
Would you mind elaborating on your water gel dispenser. A picture would be greatly appreciated.

I need to get a longer lasting water deal going and this sounds like it works good for you.

Thanks for any help.

Jay

Hi Jay,

Just take a plastic jar (peanut butter jar will work), drill a few holes (3/8") around the side of the lid. Fill your jar with water gel, screw the lid on, turn upside down and set it in your bin. You may also want to set it on a larger shallow plastic lid from say a butter tub or similar. This will keep any extra water from leaking into your colony. The one I had setup broke, so I have to make another. For my small colony of maybe 600, it was lasting up to 2 weeks before I had to add more. When I get another one setup I will display a pic of it. I'm currently trying another method till I find a few more plastic jars.

Greg

 

[Matt K]

Does no one ever do a search? I know there are at least a dozen threads on "how to" for dubias including explanatory pictures. Not to mention numerous websites if you use Google.
www.roachforum.com
www.blaberus.com
http://www.angelfire.com/oh2/Roaches/
http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/elytraandantenna/index.html#roaches
http://www.bugsincyberspace.com/shop.htm

...just to point out a few. Also note that most people who post on AB make it sound alot more difficult than it actually is. Example: the use of any gel product or gel dispensing device is a gimmick. Just pour water on them like watering a plant- easy and most inexpensive.

 

[jmiller]

Hi Jay,

Just take a plastic jar (peanut butter jar will work), drill a few holes (3/8") around the side of the lid. Fill your jar with water gel, screw the lid on, turn upside down and set it in your bin. You may also want to set it on a larger shallow plastic lid from say a butter tub or similar. This will keep any extra water from leaking into your colony. The one I had setup broke, so I have to make another. For my small colony of maybe 600, it was lasting up to 2 weeks before I had to add more. When I get another one setup I will display a pic of it. I'm currently trying another method till I find a few more plastic jars.

Greg

Greg,
Thanks for the idea.

When I read you post I was a little confused from the description but I did come up with my own version. I used a two liter soda bottle. I cut the neck off and drilled the holes like yours but in the bottom of the bottle and placed it on a coffee can lid. This has lasted me for over a week now and it is still half full. I am still testing it out to make sure it provides sufficient hydration. I believe it is going to work just fine. If it works out OK I am going to use this method on all of my bins.

Thanks again for the great idea.

 

[jmiller]

Also note that most people who post on AB make it sound alot more difficult than it actually is. Example: the use of any gel product or gel dispensing device is a gimmick. Just pour water on them like watering a plant- easy and most inexpensive.

Matt,
I know you keep a lot of roaches and you know what you are doing.

Do you really just pour water on the entire colony or do you just put water in a dish or what. I have read several of your post against using water crystals/gel. I would love to get away from using this stuff but it works well for me. If you wouldn't mine elaborating on your above comment it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks