Mold, Fungus, on Feeder food?

[Phases]

I know this is a better safe than sorry (which is good!) group, so I probably already know what is coming but, nonetheless - help!

I went to feed and after getting 2 Ts into the feeding I realized the orange peels I had forgot about in the dubia roach enclosure that I was feeding them with were rotted and black/mold/fungus?. I moved everything aside, pulled out with paper towels, was expecting wet slime but it was dry and dusty. I got it all out with paper towels, sprayed with vinegar, and any roaches that were on it came out too. But, I'm sure all have walked around in it.

The two I fed didn't eat right off the bat, the roaches are somewhere in the enclosures.

What would you do? Should I throw all out, not risk it, or is there a condition that you know of with fruit decomposing that leaves a pretty safe fungus as opposed to black mold?

 

[Trenor]

I know this is a better safe than sorry (which is good!) group, so I probably already know what is coming but, nonetheless - help!

I went to feed and after getting 2 Ts into the feeding I realized the orange peels I had forgot about in the dubia roach enclosure that I was feeding them with were rotted and black/mold/fungus?. I moved everything aside, pulled out with paper towels, was expecting wet slime but it was dry and dusty. I got it all out with paper towels, sprayed with vinegar, and any roaches that were on it came out too. But, I'm sure all have walked around in it.

The two I fed didn't eat right off the bat, the roaches are somewhere in the enclosures.

What would you do? Should I throw all out, not risk it, or is there a condition that you know of with fruit decomposing that leaves a pretty safe fungus as opposed to black mold?

You're fine. The mold in you roach bin is more harmful to you dubia colony than to your Ts. Mold will kill roaches pretty quickly so you want to keep an eye on fruit/veggies put in the enclosure so it doesn't mold.

I wouldn't worry about feeding them as long as they are moving about and look healthy.

 

[Phases]

I hope others agree! It's about 75 bucks worth to replace them. I feel optimistic, if I could reaction my own post that's what I'd put now.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

As long as you've removed the offending fruit pieces and anything that has been obviously soiled then you've probably got nothing to worry about.

This is why I don't bother to feed fresh fruit/veggies to my feeders.

I haven't given any to my red runners since I got them back in March. I just feed a mix of ground up dog biscuits & fish food supplemented with a scoop of reptile calcium/multivitamin powder (I have more than I'll probably use for my snake so I might as well put it to use) plus bug gel for fluids. No issues whatsoever.

 

[Trenor]

This is why I don't bother to feed fresh fruit/veggies to my feeders.

I do feed citrus to my dubias but that's about it other than their dried food.

I don't add a lot of fruit to the bin at once. I'll put in half an orange (cut up into smaller pieces) in a wide shallow jar lid (so the juice doesn't wet the frass) for the biggest breeding bin. They usually have that ate down past the rind in one day but anything they haven't eaten gets taken out. If some is left over then the next time I adjust the starting amount till they consistently finish what is being put in. I'll feed them citrus three to four times a week like that. I've notice the females seem to have more offspring when I put the citrus in.

If you just have some for feeders I'd wouldn't worry about citrus as much. Though feeding it to the feeders wont hunt anything as long as you keep it from molding.

 

[Phases]

I like to, because it acts as food/water at same time. Sometimes I sprinkle gut load on it. I am usually real good about monitoring, but had a crazy week. I need to start tracking this too, it looks

 

[Trenor]

I like to, because it acts as food/water at same time. Sometimes I sprinkle gut load on it. I am usually real good about monitoring, but had a crazy week. I need to start tracking this too, it looks

Mine go thru so much water I couldn't just use fruit as the main source. I use water crystals to give them the water they need without them drowning. The fruit moisture is just extra. I mix anything I want to feed them extra into their dry food Which if you're growing them should have a lot of protein in it.

 

[Phases]

Nice. Yeah I use water crystals too. I haven't thought about other things you mentioned, I should look into that. My goal is to colonize, but it's only been a couple months so .. unsure what I might have coming. Problem is, with so many Ts, they go so fast lol.

 

[Trenor]

Nice. Yeah I use water crystals too. I haven't thought about other things you mentioned, I should look into that. My goal is to colonize, but it's only been a couple months so .. unsure what I might have coming. Problem is, with so many Ts, they go so fast lol.

For a colony, I would buy a colony starter (contains adults and some smaller sizes) set them up properly and not feed from them. Keep buying the feeders if you want while your colony gets started. Depending on the number of mature females you have it can take 3-6 months to have a fully functioning colony.

I got a thread on setting up a colony somewhere (with photos if the links are still working) I'll hunt down if your interested.

 

[Phases]

I had loaded it with 150 large, 50 small and 50 xtra small and 50 medium but clearly that's not going to cut it. I have plenty of the small stuff to go around but my large have been torn through over the past couple months. I am very interested!

I think I have most of it right (besides the dont feed from the colony bit). Egg crates, Food water, darkened sides, keeping around 80 degrees tho I believe I read 85-90 or something and they'd breed better.

If I'm good to go rock on, if your thread has anything beyond that I'd be interested to see it I can hunt it down, no need unless you're bored!

 

[Trenor]

150 large

This it likely you problem. Most of the time when people sell large they are not adults that can breed yet. A large can molt to be females and still not be fully matured enough to breed. It can take time for them to mature to that point. If you didn't receive breed-able adults that is likely where your slow down is.

 

[Phases]

Ok, thanks. So, maybe I should order say, 5 pairs? (I have 24 of various size Ts) of this: https://dubiaroaches.com/products/adult-dubia-roach-pairs?variant=9890981509

Or, maybe like 3 pairs but then 3 or 5 more females.

Or, is that way too much and I'll have 1 billion roaches come xmas?

 

[Trenor]

Ok, thanks. So, maybe I should order say, 5 pairs? (I have 24 of various size Ts) of this: https://dubiaroaches.com/products/adult-dubia-roach-pairs?variant=9890981509

Or, maybe like 3 pairs but then 3 or 5 more females.

Or, is that way too much and I'll have 1 billion roaches come xmas?

Send me a PM and I'm sure I can hook you up with some to get you started.

 

[0311usmc]

I have been keeping dubai roaches in dry substrate, feeding either citrus or cucumbers with the occasional powdered doughnut and dry cricket food for over 5 years with no problems whatsoever. Sounds like you are keeping your substrate moist. I keep mine bone dry and they still breed like crazy. I have never in my time keeping roaches have had mold using fresh fruit or veggies. I change out every other day or 3 days tops.

 

[Phases]

You know... heh. I use zero substrate. Makes cleaning a breeze!

Tho.. I can see how that might make breeding harder?

 

[0311usmc]

I only use an inch at most but probably less of substrate. They burrow and hide in it as well as the egg carton I provide as a hide. I don't clean out but once or twice a year. There is no smell and no noise which is why I love dubai roaches. You only feed orange peels with no actual orange, just the peel? From my experiments they love apple cores, oranges, grapefruit, peaches, powdered doughnut, pear cores, nectarines, plums, cucumbers, tangerines and flukers cricket feed.

 

[Phases]

I only use an inch at most but probably less of substrate. They burrow and hide in it as well as the egg carton I provide as a hide. I don't clean out but once or twice a year. There is no smell and no noise which is why I love dubai roaches. You only feed orange peels with no actual orange, just the peel? From my experiments they love apple cores, oranges, grapefruit, peaches, powdered doughnut, pear cores, nectarines, plums, cucumbers, tangerines and flukers cricket feed.

Nah I put in full slides and they eat all but the peel, or close to it... I just left that in too long.:/

 

[0311usmc]

Okay cool just checking, you never know by some of the stuff I read on here.