Roaches vs. Crickets +'s -'s

[BoomBoom]

Because I'm curious as to weather a T's would preffer Roaches over Crickets, I figured I'd start a Roach thread here. First I have a few questions.

1. Where can you get roaches and how much?
2. Do T's preffer roaches or crickets more?
3. Is there a health issue involved in breeding a roach colony?
4. What type of roaches would a T go for and not go for?

Any info would be helpful!

 

[petshopguy]

Get your roaches here on AB - cheapest deals.
My T's jump at crickets cause they are slightly bigger than the roaches I use and they don't burrow.
I don't know of any health concerns with roaches other than I sometimes accidentally touch my eyes after being in my roach bins and I have a slight allergic reaction.
There are plenty of resources here on AB if you search the benefits of using roaches vs. crix.
I use lobster and lateralis for slings; dubias and discoids for bigger T's.

 

[Bulldog08]

Yup just look in the classifieds here for your roaches.
I don't know about the T's but I prefer roaches more lol.
I don't think there is any health issues, just wash your hands after handling them.
I use B. dubia for all my inverts and have had no apparent problems.

 

[Ace Conan]

1. Where can you get roaches and how much?
- Check on the arachnoboards for sale section. Also check www.crazydavesinverts.com for a starter colony and a wide variety of T's. www.blaberus.com also sells roaches as feeders.

2. Do T's preffer roaches or crickets more?
- It depends. Some prefer crickets, some like roaches more. try out both and see. Most of mine love roaches, but I suggest using both for variety.

3. Is there a health issue involved in breeding a roach colony?
- Not that I'm aware of. Roaches are very hardy and easy to raise. Most people, myself included prefer taking care of roaches.

4. What type of roaches would a T go for and not go for?
- Most roaches can be used as feeders. Dubias are common, as are lobster roaches. I really like Dubias, but be warned they like to burrow.

 

[dtknow]

3. Some people may have allergic reactions to the chitin in shell fragments and frass. If you are dealing with a large colony....a dust mask would be a good idea, and possibly gloves.

 

[Bulldog08]

I have some bad allergies to quite a few things, but none of my roaches give me problems. If I am cleaning out the colony I might get a bit itchy but its not too bad.

 

[Matt K]

There has never been a documented case of someone who got sick from handling roaches ever.

In rare cases, some people have developed an allergy to roaches, generally when they have had cause to physically contact them regularly. The use of latex or rubber gloves is helpful to them. If you have allergies or not, it has no bearing on if you have the capacity to develope allergies to roaches. It is rare but has happened where dust from secretions aggrivates symptoms as well, in which case you get rid of the roaches.

***
I personally have a selection of T's and have used roaches exclusively from sling to adulthood for each one. For me crix are just a hassle and the T's seem to grow VERY well on roaches. Different people have different opinions as to what kind of roach to use, and it really depends on how you practice husbandry for your T. I use Lat's, lobster roaches, and occasionally another climbing variety (and discoids once in a while). I suggest try a couple different varieties and see what works for you.

 

[eelnoob]

Haven't bought any crickets since starting my own roach colonies this time last year.

 

[Dillon]

For me, the biggest thing is the smell.

Crickets SMELL HORRIBLE. I cant stand them.

 

[arachyd]

With some larger roaches you might hear a little patter of feet as they scurry about their enclosure. With crickets you can keep them in the farthest corner of the house and still you can't sleep for all the chirping and God help you if one gets loose! It will find its way to your bedroom, hide really well under the biggest piece of furniture you own and start singing its little heart out.

 

[Xaranx]

Will never go back to crickets, roaches are just so much easier.

 

[Fingolfin]

With some larger roaches you might hear a little patter of feet as they scurry about their enclosure. With crickets you can keep them in the farthest corner of the house and still you can't sleep for all the chirping and God help you if one gets loose! It will find its way to your bedroom, hide really well under the biggest piece of furniture you own and start singing its little heart out.

OR, it will climb its way into your bedroom, get on your bed, climb into your wifes pajamas, and as you are showing her one of your T's and she is showing mild interest for the first time ever, decide to walk up her chest and emerge on her neck! :wall:

 

[arachyd]

Hmmm...with those kinds of details it sounds like that actually happened .

 

[Fingolfin]

Hmmm...with those kinds of details it sounds like that actually happened .

Oh, it did.

 

[arachyd]

Well, I certainly hope you feigned innocence, expressed grave concern over your home being inexplicably infested with crickets and launched into a glowing description of how Ts eat those wretched things and if you have plenty of Ts the crickets will disappear (while pushing the crix bin behind something with your foot so she doesn't see).

 

[clear]

1. Where can you get roaches and how much?
Dubia are usely expensive, and Lobsters are usely the cheapest.
Most forums have users selling and on my site i have a few places listed also.
www.theroachguy.com
www.aaronpauling.com

2. Do T's preffer roaches or crickets more?
I dont know

3. Is there a health issue involved in breeding a roach colony?
Most of the roaches you buy have been captive breed so it eliminates most of the chances of diseases and other parisites. So IMO No

4. What type of roaches would a T go for and not go for?
I dont have any experience with T's but i do know every animal has a different personality so some like roaches more and some like crickets more, depends on the animal

 

[BoomBoom]

Are those ice cubes in there?

Will never go back to crickets, roaches are just so much easier.

 

[Xaranx]

Water crystals from www.watersorb.com (large polymer) Bought a big 2lb bag that will last me for years for 17 dollars. Work great for crickets too.

 

[BoomBoom]

My crickets hatched today. I would say there are about 100-150 babies in there. I didn't even think they would hatch. I left them in the bathroom for 2 weeks and kept the soil wet. I thought for sure they would not hatch but they did! That wasn't hard at all.