I've been keeping tarantula slings since July and have been feeding them red runners since I got them. I never had a problem while they were still small, but as they've grown in size, I've had to purchase larger roaches to accommodate them. Lately I've ran into some issues and I'd like to step back and correct any husbandry errors I'm making.
I've noticed within the last two months that roaches are dying off. It seems whenever I examine the bin I'm keeping them in, there are more dead individuals to clean up. I feed them a variety of carrots, citrus fruit and pet food. I keep the house at a temp of ~68-70, considering it's winter here.
I've read in care guides and feeder recommendations that one of the red runner's advantages over crickets is that they don't smell. I clean out the frass from my roaches' housing every so often and scoop out the dead ones but the first thing I notice when opening the lid is the terrible smell. I don't know if this is the fault of the droppings, or dead roaches or odors from the food I'm feeding them. It's bad enough I need to hold my breath while stooping over the housing.
I have under a hundred roaches, juveniles and mid-size. They're kept in a tall, plastic tupperware about a foot long, with a locking lid that I've punched rows of ventilation holes into. Inside are a few rows of paper egg cartons for them to inhabit.
What could be the cause of these issues, and what can I do to correct them?
I've noticed within the last two months that roaches are dying off. It seems whenever I examine the bin I'm keeping them in, there are more dead individuals to clean up. I feed them a variety of carrots, citrus fruit and pet food. I keep the house at a temp of ~68-70, considering it's winter here.
I've read in care guides and feeder recommendations that one of the red runner's advantages over crickets is that they don't smell. I clean out the frass from my roaches' housing every so often and scoop out the dead ones but the first thing I notice when opening the lid is the terrible smell. I don't know if this is the fault of the droppings, or dead roaches or odors from the food I'm feeding them. It's bad enough I need to hold my breath while stooping over the housing.
I have under a hundred roaches, juveniles and mid-size. They're kept in a tall, plastic tupperware about a foot long, with a locking lid that I've punched rows of ventilation holes into. Inside are a few rows of paper egg cartons for them to inhabit.
What could be the cause of these issues, and what can I do to correct them?
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