Light warming my roach colony, is it ok?

[Frédérick]

Hi all! So I'm wondering if it's right if I use a 60W light bulb to heat my B. lateralis. I know they don't like light, but they are housed in a tank that has black soil into (so no reflection of lights whatsoever) and egg crates openings towards the bottom, so they're not in direct contact to the light! does this sounds good or would it stress them out for breeding? thx evryone!

Fred

 

[kitty_b]

i'd play it safe and use a ceramic bulb. they also last longer.

 

[sparular]

I use a low wattage (5 watt) reptile heat mat in my B. dubia tank. it's not powerful enough to burn them so I just put it straight in. If you want to use a light bulb maybe get a cover (like cheap diffusor globe) and paint it black.

I bet you can find a cheap one of these at home depot/Lowes:
http://www.hardwareandtools.com/invt/u419093?ref=gbase

Maybe just cover the bulb in aluminum foil?

 

[Frédérick]

I would have buyed one, but I'm sort of short on cash hehe so I was thinking about something cheap that does the job. maybe a black light?

Thx Kitty

 

[Frédérick]

I use a low wattage (5 watt) reptile heat mat in my B. dubia tank. it's not powerful enough to burn them so I just put it straight in. If you want to use a light bulb maybe get a cover (like cheap diffusor globe) and paint it black.

I bet you can find a cheap one of these at home depot/Lowes:
http://www.hardwareandtools.com/invt/u419093?ref=gbase

Maybe just cover the bulb in aluminum foil?

ya thats not a bad idea! does the aluminum have any risk of provoking fire or smthg? thx for the input!

 

[magikscorps]

What about a standard 40 BUG light I didnt think they could see it?

 

[mitchrobot]

i use a 60w bug light on my b.lat/discoid colony, i dont *think* they can see the light. atleast they dont act like it. they are always out and about, and i have plenty of babies in there so the light could be bothering them that much.

 

[MVDaniel]

you can block light, but still get the heat by using a piece of foil. You won't have to worry about burning it either.

 

[Frédérick]

yeah they don't seem to be bothered at all thats correct, and they have the choice to move to a darker place. I guess I'll let it be like that unless someone can prove me it,s detrimental, like they don't reproduce as much or such.

I'll try the aluminum foil trick later today!