Dermestid beetle infestation!?

[EightLeggedFrea]

I’ve heard of phorid flies and even ants invading roach bins, but apparently I’ve got dermestid beetles! I have noticed mealworm-like larvae crawling around in my B. lateralis bin accompanied by small, black beetle-like insects. During the time ArachnoBoards wasn’t working, I posted this on Tarantulas.us where it was suggested these things are dermestid beetles. I googled that and the resulting images looked just like what’s crawling around in my bin! I have also noticed a significant decline in the roach population in said bin! Could these things have done this? I used to be overrun with B. lats, now I have to sift through the flats just to find a few!

What’s also odd is that neither of my other colonies of Dubia and discoids seem to have these beetles. Why did these beetles come into begin with? What can I do to keep out in the future, as I’ve been thinking of removing what B. lats I have and starting a new one.

 

[spiderfield]

They are probably feeding on dead roaches. It should probably help in keeping out phorid flies, as the larva could be out-competing them for food source. As for them being a cause of your population decline, as far as I know the larva are carrion feeders and not active predators, but I may be wrong.

 

[koolkid98]

I have heard they can get on to them but Blatta Laterials is too fast for them to catch a ride on.Anyway the dermestids not only eat the dead ones they eat the roach food too[the dry stuff] they could be out competing the roaches for food that's just what i think.

 

[Matt K]

I have numerous beetles including dermestids in many of my roach colonies and it generally is not a problem. Sometimes though if they get too numerous they are eating the roaches food and will given time eventually out-number and out-produce the roaches. All you have to do is change out the substrate once or twice a year and that solves the problem of competition.

 

[Animalia]

Jmiller who sold me my roaches and told me about set up says he actual uses derms in his containers to eat the dead ones to reduce the need for cleaning.

might wana talk to him if you have alot of questions