Considering roach colony - questions

[kyley]

I just rescued 2 rose hair tarantulas and an emperor scorpion, and I have a leopard gecko. Slowly learning about the care of all. I've been reading up on roach colonies here and thought it might be a good idea... I understand how to feed and water them, and I understand that they need a heat source (heat pad, lamp, or ceramic lamp). I've decided Blaptica Dubia roaches would be the best option for me. My questions:
1. It sounds like some of you recommend against a roach colony for just 3-4 critters. If I keep the temps around 80 (after getting the colony established) will they reproduce slowly enough that I'm not "wasting" them?
2. I don't know yet if the gecko will eat them - he doesn't eat crickets well - too fast for him - sounds like Blaptica dubia roaches are slower than some roaches, but maybe not slow enough... Any thoughts on that?
3. I'm confused about the needed housing / substrate (or lack of)... Should I use a rubbermaid container (what size), aquarium, or something else? Some recommended no substrate and a wire mesh floor to let the poop fall through into an aluminum baking pan for easy cleaning (where would I find something that would work for that?), Others recommend substrate (coconut fiber okay?) and either cleaning it occasionally or not cleaning it at all (nymphs eat the poop?)... I need more guidance on this...
4. I thought it needs to be humid for the roaches, right? What's the best way to do that and avoid mold? Mist whatever container they're in daily? Are there better ways? Or is it okay if it stays relatively dry?
5. Will starting with 10 or 20 roaches be enough (cheaper) or do I need to start with 50? I was looking at them here:
http://www.wormman.com/pd_orange_spotted.cfm
Are there other places I should consider (maybe cheaper)?

I've only had these guys for a short period, but enjoying them so far. They're all in separate aquariums of course, but I was wondering if any critters can be mixed - centipedes, millipedes, praying mantis, tarantulas, scorpions, or others... Any that would get along together and be in the right habitats (particularly that would go with the scorpion / tarantulas I already have)? Thanks in advance for your help,
--Kyle

 

[siliconthoughts]

I just rescued 2 rose hair tarantulas and an emperor scorpion, and I have a leopard gecko. Slowly learning about the care of all. I've been reading up on roach colonies here and thought it might be a good idea... I understand how to feed and water them, and I understand that they need a heat source (heat pad, lamp, or ceramic lamp). I've decided Blaptica Dubia roaches would be the best option for me. My questions:
1. It sounds like some of you recommend against a roach colony for just 3-4 critters. If I keep the temps around 80 (after getting the colony established) will they reproduce slowly enough that I'm not "wasting" them?
2. I don't know yet if the gecko will eat them - he doesn't eat crickets well - too fast for him - sounds like Blaptica dubia roaches are slower than some roaches, but maybe not slow enough... Any thoughts on that?
3. I'm confused about the needed housing / substrate (or lack of)... Should I use a rubbermaid container (what size), aquarium, or something else? Some recommended no substrate and a wire mesh floor to let the poop fall through into an aluminum baking pan for easy cleaning (where would I find something that would work for that?), Others recommend substrate (coconut fiber okay?) and either cleaning it occasionally or not cleaning it at all (nymphs eat the poop?)... I need more guidance on this...
4. I thought it needs to be humid for the roaches, right? What's the best way to do that and avoid mold? Mist whatever container they're in daily? Are there better ways? Or is it okay if it stays relatively dry?
5. Will starting with 10 or 20 roaches be enough (cheaper) or do I need to start with 50? I was looking at them here:
http://www.wormman.com/pd_orange_spotted.cfm
Are there other places I should consider (maybe cheaper)?

I've only had these guys for a short period, but enjoying them so far. They're all in separate aquariums of course, but I was wondering if any critters can be mixed - centipedes, millipedes, praying mantis, tarantulas, scorpions, or others... Any that would get along together and be in the right habitats (particularly that would go with the scorpion / tarantulas I already have)? Thanks in advance for your help,
--Kyle

I keep dubia and discoids, I have a small colony of leopard geckos and one skink that only eats them occasionally. It is possible to limit the population size with temperature, but you'll probably have to go cooler than 80 to do it. If mine start getting out of hand I split out the adults that I don't need and cool them down until they aren't active. Periodically I will also sell off extras.

My geckos like both the discoids and dubia. The big adult geckos like the adult male dubia better than any of the nymphs, but the smaller adult geckos are too small to eat them. I have a small dish that I put the roaches in, and the geckos climb into the dish when they are hungry and can easily get the roaches. It took a couple weeks for them to switch over from superworms, but all of my geckos take the roaches and some didn't ever like superworms.

I keep them without substrate in a 5 gallon bucket, the little babies dig in the frass but they climb out onto the vertical substrate (eggcrates or corkboard) when they get a little bigger - discoids dig more than dubia. Cleaning only has to be done every 3-6 months or so. I usually switch them all to a clean bucket and let the frass dry out, then scrape it out with a putty knife and bag and freeze it to avoid any accidental escapes.

I find there are far fewer pests (flies and mites) when the cages are kept fairly dry. I never mist. I live in San Diego and keep them in the garage so it is fairly low humidity. All their moisture comes from apples/ grapes/ oranges/ squash and similar high moisture fruit or veggies.

You will be waiting a long time (at least a year) if you start with as few as 10 small roaches, and that sets you up for a very genetically bottlenecked population. 50 is a much more stable starter, and getting a few adults will speed up the colony development a lot. It's also a bit of false economy since shipping is a big fraction of the cost, so getting more is relatively cheap.

I'd recommend me as a really cheap supplier of small quantities, but in fairness there are a lot of other good vendors on this very board. blaberus.com and a number of hobbyists advertise in the for sale area of arachnoboards regularly, and there are a number of them with high praise in the feedback forum. I'd pick someone there rather than wormman, their prices are way too high for little roaches.

Colin

 

[kyley]

Thanks for your help Colin. I like the 5 gallon bucket idea (I assume no lid?). How do you keep it heated? Sounds like I may need 50 or more to get started... I guess it even takes that many awhile to get going?

At blaberus.com I saw they sell a mixture of "small to large nymphs" - do most places just sell nymphs? Or would it be better to get 50 medium from wormman (or somewhere else) at a higher price that are medium size roaches (or perhaps I don't understand the nymph vs adult idea - aren't nymphs the babies)? Thanks,
--Kyle

 

[siliconthoughts]

Thanks for your help Colin. I like the 5 gallon bucket idea (I assume no lid?). How do you keep it heated? Sounds like I may need 50 or more to get started... I guess it even takes that many awhile to get going?

At blaberus.com I saw they sell a mixture of "small to large nymphs" - do most places just sell nymphs? Or would it be better to get 50 medium from wormman (or somewhere else) at a higher price that are medium size roaches (or perhaps I don't understand the nymph vs adult idea - aren't nymphs the babies)? Thanks,
--Kyle

I have a lid on it. I cut holes in the lid and covered them with screen. I heat with a heat mat on the side or bottom.

nymphs are anything that isn't an adult, they vary from 1/8" long at the smallest instar to about 1.5-2" long before the final adult molt. Most people will sell nymphs, since their adults are producing, if you get large nymphs they will usually molt into adults relatively quickly.

Colin

 

[kyley]

Got it, thanks again... Now I just have to figure out if the tarantula thing is going to work out (I like 'em, but I'm getting blisters all over my hands from the utricating hairs)... If it doesn't, I'll consider OW tarantulas instead.
--Kyle