Lots of dropped oothecas and bad smell coming from roaches

[hassman789]

I have been noticing a lot of dropped oothecas in my B. dubia colony (haven't started breeding though) and also I just noticed, it has a bit of a stench to it. Is this normal? I got about 100 roaches in febuary I think, and over the past 2 weeks or so I found like 3-4 dropped oothecas. Is this normal? Also do the roaches have a little bit of smell (just not as bad as crickets)? Could this be part of the reason I have no babies yet? I know it takes a while but I'm wondering if mabey theres somthing wrong with them. I have them in a rubbermaid with small breed dog food, water crystals and egg flats. Does this sound normal?

 

[Vfox]

Do you have an ventilation in your tank? Normally B. dubia don't really have a smell, it could be too damp or something. Are there dead roaches in your tank; they have a horrid smell. As for the dropped ootheca...there are many reasons but the most common is stress, are you bothering the colony often? I bug mine when I feed once a week or so but I keep them in a glass tank. They get disturbed by movement and lighting and whatnot but still manage to breed because I'm not physically messing with the tank. I see dropped ootheca from time to time and they will rot and will stink.

 

[BQC123]

What temp are you keeping them?
As stated, humidity could be an issue as well.

As for not breeding, do you ever give them fresh fruit & veggies. Mine get apple cores, and oranges regularly, This helps give them a more pleasant smell, and seems to increase reproduction.
I would maybe try a more balanced food. I posted a roach diet here several times. It sounds more complete than just dog food.

I have only seen one ootheca dropped in my colony. It really does sound like they are stressed.

 

[echostatic]

How much food are you guys feeding at once? I'm dropping fruit in every couple days and keeping a constant supply of chicken feed in there. When I start feeding off the colony, I will be opening the tank about every day. How are you supposed to not disturb them? I would like to avoid stressing my colony if possible too.

 

[BQC123]

How much food are you guys feeding at once? I'm dropping fruit in every couple days and keeping a constant supply of chicken feed in there. When I start feeding off the colony, I will be opening the tank about every day. How are you supposed to not disturb them? I would like to avoid stressing my colony if possible too.

I keep dry food in a chick feeder that is filled every couple weeks. I give fruit &/or veggies daily.
My B. dubia get disturbed alot, but breed well. I am in the bin at least 3 times a week sorting for appropriate feeders. Give lots of hiding places, and they won't all be bothered too much.

 

[hassman789]

OK I'll start giving them more fruits and veggies (I was just giving it to them a little when I had left overs, I'll give more now) and I will try to open only when neccesary! Thanks

 

[Pssh]

I open my colonies just about every day. I fling them around when I am getting some for feeders too. No breeding problems, no dropped oothecae, nothing weird for me. I feed mine way better than most do though. No dog/cat/chicken/fish food for my roachies. Only human grade, organic, highly nutritional foods.

 

[bugmankeith]

I change my dubias food every night to ensure freshness and prevent mold.

Mine get apples,bananas,oranges,peaches,papaya,mango. They also get dog/cat kibble thats sprayed with water to soften the kibble, romaine lettuce, and they love white bread. About once a week I will cook hamburger meat, and throw a few large chunks in, the females especially love it and it's the best source of protein, your colony will go nuts for it trust me!

I mist them every night and they drink the water droplets from the tank sides and on the fruit, plus they clean themselves after like they got a bath.

I also give half a teaspoon of baby food in a VERY shallow container so they dont get stuck in it. They love banana/orange flavor, along with pear,banana, and mango. Sometimes beef (make sure it has no lemon juice)

My colony is flourishing. I have wood substrate so they can bury in it, and plenty of wood to climb. Egg cartons get dirty and rot too much.

 

[Pssh]

My egg flats last months? I usually only replace them when I forget to feed/water them for a while and they nibble on them.

 

[echostatic]

I don't see why the egg flats wouldn't last a very long time unless they are getting hit with water. I don't spray my tank, I keep a large bowl of water crystals in there and pour water onto them every day. Seems to be working well, my roaches are breeding.

 

[hassman789]

I opened it again while checking on their carrots last night. Another roach with an ootheca hanging out. At least they are eating the carrots well.

 

[Moltar]

It's quite natural for the oothecae to hang out of the roaches body. They do that to ventilate them, as I understand. Only consider an oothecae to be "dropped" if it is lying on the ground.

 

[Pssh]

If an ooth has been hanging out for more than a few minutes, you should consider removing it. If the female tries to drop it she risks pushing out her sack thing which will, more likely than not, kill her.