Hissing roach colony

[DreadMan]

Hi all I have a few question about keeping hissing roaches. I keep two males and 3 females, and I was wondering how to start a colony. I currently keep them in a glass oatmeal jar with a heating pad and cypress mulch. I already have a few babies from a previous pair that I had. Any pointers?

 

[Scorpiobsession]

They're very easy to breed and very prolific. To breed them place them in a large enclosure (at least 20" x 10" x 10") with substrate (I use eco-earth for my roaches) and heat them (I can't remember the exact temperature though).

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Bare bottom bin. Screen patch lid. Keep things loose with eggcrate and appropriately sized. Fish food and carrots in mayo lids and off you go. You can put a dish of water crystals in when the colony gets bigger. Have fun, man.

 

[DreadMan]

aprox

Bare bottom bin. Screen patch lid. Keep things loose with eggcrate and appropriately sized. Fish food and carrots in mayo lids and off you go. You can put a dish of water crystals in when the colony gets bigger. Have fun, man.
View attachment 383467

Any idea how long it takes to get like that?

 

[DomGom TheFather]

aprox

Any idea how long it takes to get like that?

If everything works out, about two years from what you have now. Give or take.

 

[goliathusdavid]

Gestation is around three months and adulthood is reaches in five or six depending on temps (they go through six molts). Once you get a large enough group you'll see exponential growth. Took care of a colony last summer for my boss (who I really shouldn't call my boss, she's a friend). Came into my house at 300, when they left 3 months later they were at 450. No additional heat except that provided by a Philadelphia summer.
Can be kept with or without substrate, always provide water crystals (I use calcium fortified), and TONS of hiding spaces. Oh, and they will clean out your entire pantry. Enjoy!

 

[DreadMan]

Bare bottom bin. Screen patch lid. Keep things loose with eggcrate and appropriately sized. Fish food and carrots in mayo lids and off you go. You can put a dish of water crystals in when the colony gets bigger. Have fun, man.
View attachment 383467

I found plenty of tote bins on amazon, but none with a mesh top or anything near that. I am mostly afraid of them escaping and then dying in the wild. Could you dm me a link for something similar to what you have? And just another add on, can I keep them with dubia roaches and feed them dog food?

 

[goliathusdavid]

I found plenty of tote bins on amazon, but none with a mesh top or anything near that. I am mostly afraid of them escaping and then dying in the wild. Could you dm me a link for something similar to what you have? And just another add on, can I keep them with dubia roaches and feed them dog food?

You're going to have to cut out the top and then hot glue mesh on. I would not keep them with Dubia, as they would not naturally interact in the wild. These are the bins I use for roaches. Substrate can be added if you decide to go that route. Glad you are asking questions, it's great to do this well informed!

 

[Scorpiobsession]

And just another add on, can I keep them with dubia roaches and feed them dog food?

It's generally a bad idea to mix roach species together. They will be much more prolific if they are kept apart. You could feed them dog food and many people do except I personally don't think it's healthy because of all of the unhealthy things mixed with it these days.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

I found plenty of tote bins on amazon, but none with a mesh top or anything near that. I am mostly afraid of them escaping and then dying in the wild. Could you dm me a link for something similar to what you have? And just another add on, can I keep them with dubia roaches and feed them dog food?

You could feed dog or cat kibble but fish food mixed with rabbit pellets really work out. Don't mix your bugs. It would be a mess. As far as bins go, cut the lid and hot glue screen in. Something like this will work for you at this stage.


Run a cotton ball with a couple drops of veggie oil around the top and they won't go anywhere.