need advice on starting a roach colony

[halfwaynowhere]

So I'm planning on going against my mother's wishes, and starting a roach colony in January. I need the convenience of having food on hand at all times, and not having to run out to the pet store anymore... I used to work in pet stores on weekends, so I'd be able to pick up my crickets then... I don't anymore, and I haven't been feeding my spiders as often as I'd like to. So I need to start a roach colony.
I have seven Ts, two are adults, the rest are slings, 2" or less. So I don't need a huge colony, but I do need an ongoing supply of nymphs. My sister has bearded dragons, tegus and a leopard gecko that she buys crickets for. I don't plan on raising enough roaches to feed all of her critters, but I have means of controlling the population if it gets out of hand.
I'm thinking of going with dubias, but don't like the digging so much. Still, I can live with that. How many should I start with, and what size container should I keep them in? Anything else I should know?

 

[james]

dubia

Most people start with about 100 and then you have to give the colony time to grow which usually takes 6-9 months. I have a new method of rearing which consist of:
2-5 gallon home depot buckets
1-lid
fine screen wire mesh(like for a screen door but use the metal type)
tools requires
drill
saw, best to use a jigsaw
hot glue gun
duct tape

1.I make a template for my holes usually 6"-6" or so.
2.I cut 2 holes in each bucket under the handles for easy alignment.
3. I cut the inner buckets holes near the bottom of the bucket and the outer bucket higher up so when I put the buckets together they line up.
4. cut hole in lid as well
5.hot glue wire mesh in and then duct tape over
6.turn inner bucket upside down and drill pinkie size holes in bottom everywhere.
7. Now your ready put inner but with holes inside the outer bucket. Add 3 egg crates and your colony. The adults will breed and all the babies work through the holes into the outer bucket which I keep 1-2" of vermiculite in. Now you can go in and grab feeders without disturbing your adults!!!!
James
www.blaberus.com

 

[pinkfoot]

Hey James!

This sounds great!

What species have you had success with using this?

I would appreciate any pics you have? It's a bit confusing to me, as the idea is so new, but I get the drift, and would like to try one out!

 

[james]

pics

I'll try to take some on the next ones I build which should be later this week. I just use this on the non-climbers like dubia, discoids, etc.. I still use 5 gallon buckets for the other climbers but not 2 buckets. It is nice to have the big rubbermaids but most climbers like lobsters and hissers eventually find ways out and the bucket lids fit so tight I never have escapees. Also, many people get free loaders like worm beetles, death bettles, etc and I have eliminated all that from my colonies.
James
www.blaberus.com

 

[pinkfoot]

Cool, thanks!

I'm starting to sell up a storm here, and can always use new methods of harvesting. At present, I am counting them out by hand using tongs..!

 

[buglady]

i have raised six kinds of roach's and just used tanks and large storage containers. for climers just put a coating of vasoline around the top and always use a screen lid. if your using a lg tupperware storage container then just cut out windows in the lid and glue or tape screen over. they need plenty of air circulation.again, use vasoline around the top for climers. i have found that the ground up walnut shell bedding is great for roach's and provide plenty of hiding places. as for food they eat all kinds of stuff from ground up cat and dog foods, chicken crumble, ground up lab chow, cheerios;they love cheerios.just make a good mixture and store it. plus also give them apples,romain, zucchini, yellow squash... they are so easy to keep. i hope this has helped you.

buglady.

 

[ScorpDemon]

Theres really no need to grind dog/cat food. The roaches can grind it themselves. I used to grind, not anymore. I let them do the extra work for me.

 

[james]

roaches

There are a million ways to keep them and I have tried so many set-up and substrates it would make you head spin. For me it's really about time more than anything else. In the old days I did use the rubbermaids and other set-ups and substrates, but it just take so much time to clean them well and get all the babies out. My system does take more time to make but it is very very simple to maintain. I need to remember how to post pictures? It has been a long time.
James
www.blaberus.com

 

[Rochelle]

As James has stated; the size-separation method works best for large-scale production.
Grinding the food just seems to make it more susceptible to mold.
Vasoline around the lip of container is messy and doesn't work as well as the liquid teflon that can be had for cheap at blaberus.com. (james' site). The teflon also lasts waaaaay longer and is worth every single penny.
If one is raising dubia roaches for feeders, rather than pets - then NO substrate is best.
Much easier to keep clean and also the obvious benefit of being able to grab whatever size is needed, at will. Finding pure vermiculite isn't always easy for the casual hobbiest; but does work well if you can find it.
They also seem to do better and produce more, if the gravid females are allowed to have their own 'territory'..... if you'd like to see pics; click on our picture page. Brood racks are a benefit to large scale production - but are by no means a requirement for this species.
Since Blaptica dubia do not climb glass or plastic - no bug barrier is actually needed by this species. We have a colony of multi-thousands; and they do not even have a LID. No escapees after many years...lol.
No volunteer bugs, either.
Keep your 'deaders' out and all will be fine.
Keep at 80-89"F for production and don't forget to add citrus fruit to protein for high production.
Ventilation is important - do NOT mist. Offer fresh, open water. Crystals tend to hold nasty stuff, much the same way that sponges do. An example of a gravity-fed waterer can also be seen in our picture thread.
Hope this helps...

~BugMomma ©

 

[KenTheBugGuy]

just

There are a million ways to keep them and I have tried so many set-up and substrates it would make you head spin. For me it's really about time more than anything else. In the old days I did use the rubbermaids and other set-ups and substrates, but it just take so much time to clean them well and get all the babies out. My system does take more time to make but it is very very simple to maintain. I need to remember how to post pictures? It has been a long time.
James
www.blaberus.com

pretty much just upload the pics to your web host and past the link into the little image icon at the top of the editor window here.

 

[Tokendog]

Was wondering if we could get those pics of the bucket setup? I have some Dubia and am definitely interested in maximizing their reproductive potential. Thanks!

 

[gh0001356]

I'm thinking of adapting this concept and using 10 gallon totes instead of buckets. Pics would be a big help.