Should I get roaches? (Blaberus craniifer)

[Crocodylidae]

Hello! This is gonna be a long post but I hope it's okay to read (is there a limit? anyway, it's okay if someone answer only one question out of it!)


1 (Allergies)- So the biggest thing I was wondering about is: is it safe to put them in the room where I sleep? I've heard about allergies, I don't have any (I think) but I don't want any as well and so if I only keep like ten roaches (maybe it happens more with huge colony), use gloves, and occasionally ventilate, is it okay or still not safe? (I already keep a lot of mealworm and dust in my room so maybe that it would make it worse) Are allergies due to roaches frequent or very rare?

2(Longevity, heat, enclosure)- How long do this species live, a few months or years? And to the average house temperature is it okay or do they need a heat source? I also don't know what to choose between: coco fiber and egg crates, because the last option seems more convenient but aesthetically I like better the first one, but I wonder how easily they dirty the enclosure? I even saw people using coco husk and I like this option even more and I'm wondering if is it better, maybe easier to clean and to control?
Is it a good beginner species? I don't think I ever saw Madagascar hissing roaches but I only have those (and the red runner but those don't really interest me)
What surfaces can this species climb, glass or plastic? Should I put them in one of those stockage plastic box or a real terrarium with a lot of holes?
I saw someone saying that they need a tall enclosure and are arboreal, is it true?

3(Breeding)- I plan to have them from a pet store and I think they're about ten or something like this, which is good, however I don't want any more. What I mean by that is that I don't want them to breed because I don't plan on having a colony, but I don't know if this is possible to keep them from breeding? If I put the females apart from the males I'm worried it would cause too much fight between the males but I don't know, I would like them to stay in small number and I can never find roaches in very small number

4(Feeding mantis)- I have two mantis, still young and only feed them with mealworms (is it okay by the way? I don't have any other ideas for food for my mantis, I'm afraid to not feed them enough but also to feed them too much, I've heard about crickets and such being risky and often hosting parasits, I only had them for two months so I'm still learning) for now. But I've heard about roaches being good food so I think that I could give some to my mantis later, but again I'm worried: People told me that some food you give to feeders can be toxic if the mantis eat the feeder (like carrot or something?), and if they've been in the petstore I don't know what they've been eating so I was thinking: Admitting I want to give a few to my mantis, if I keep them on a good diet for a few weeks and clean enclosure is it okay to give to my mantis after or still risky?

5(Food)- I would feed them fruits (does organic matter?), maybe cat food but I'm not sure, however I saw someone feeding them beetle jelly, does it actually can work? I think beetle jelly attracts grain mite less than fruits (?) so it would be nice

6(Humidity and grain mite)- Do they need a all wet enclosure, dry but with a water dish, or a wet side and dry one? I've been having problems with grain mite (I think that I will post about it in another section later because it's a problem mostly with my milliped) so I'm just worrying about roaches and humidity and fruits and all and would like to avoid them if possible
Oh and probably stupid to ask but is the name of this species craniifer or giganteus? I see it in the stores referred as craniifer but on Internet giganteus, is this the same?

Also I'm new (to insects and this forum) and I'm not sure if I was supposed to do anything before posting here (like a presentation or something) and I don't know if I should post here or on the roach forum or both so I hope it's okay, thanks in advance!

 

[Vanisher]

Cochroachers are great, IF you are not allergic. If you are, they are torture!

 

[Crocodylidae]

The only cockroach that I've seen was Ectobius pallidus and I could pick them up with no problems so I think I'm fine around roaches but I'm worried to develop one if I keep them in my room, but I don't know if this is frequent

If I do buy some roaches I will probably, when having to clean, use a dust mask maybe and gloves but still not sure about the overall ''sleeping in the same room with them''

 

[The Mantis Menagerie]

coco fiber and egg crates, because the last option seems more convenient but aesthetically I like better the first one

For short term keeping of small numbers of roaches, you should be able to put slightly moist coco fiber in the bottom with egg crate without it getting moldy. The roaches cannot get a grip on a glass or plastic bottom, so I think Blaberus should have substrate.

I saw someone saying that they need a tall enclosure and are arboreal, is it true?

A bit of height to their habitat would be helpful if you were raising and breeding them. Some nymphs should be fine in a flat cage for a few weeks. I had some for a number of months that I kept without any vertical surface, and they did fine, even breeding despite the adverse conditions.

(does organic matter?)

I always feed organic or completely remove every trace of peel from the roach's food.

feeding them beetle jelly, does it actually can work?

Beetle jelly works, but it would be quite expensive to sustain a bunch of roaches on beetle jelly. I do not think it would be worth it.

Oh and probably stupid to ask but is the name of this species craniifer or giganteus?

These are two different species. What is the common name yours are being sold as? If they are called death's head roaches, then they should be Blaberus craniifer. Giant cave roaches should be Blaberus giganteus.

 

[Crocodylidae]

Thank you very much! I think this is sold as craniifer, I was confused because they look very similar to me, and I've heard about 'true' death head cockroach and the other one and all. I will feed them beetle jelly as a treat because I already make my own for my beetles, but I will give them mostly (organic) fruits!
So for now the biggest worries for me is about the mites (I've heard about cleaning mites on roach but I don't know if those can be bad in big number), keeping them from breeding and the allergies (like is it really necessary to have a dust mask for example (because it's pretty expensive...) or just ventilating is fine?). Also I already keep mealworms and I clean their enclosure about two times a week, but they just have egg boxes and carton so that's why I have to, but I saw an article saying that you only need to clean your roach enclosure (with substrate) only two times a year and I'm not sure, it sounds pretty low. Thanks again!

Edit: I also heard about the worst when it comes to allergies are hissers or Dubia, true or not? The craniifer doesn't count as one right? (I know it's a stupid question)

 

[VolkswagenBug]

So for now the biggest worries for me is about the mites (I've heard about cleaning mites on roach but I don't know if those can be bad in big number),

If you're careful, it shouldn't be a huge issue.

keeping them from breeding

Difficult if you're keeping them together. Keeping the temperature below 70 F could prevent development of eggs, but it also wouldn't be very good for them.

and the allergies (like is it really necessary to have a dust mask for example (because it's pretty expensive...) or just ventilating is fine?).

If you're not already allergic to roaches, you probably won't have issues with only 10. I've kept blaberids in small quantities in my bedroom for several years and haven't developed allergies.

Also I already keep mealworms and I clean their enclosure about two times a week, but they just have egg boxes and carton so that's why I have to, but I saw an article saying that you only need to clean your roach enclosure (with substrate) only two times a year and I'm not sure, it sounds pretty low. Thanks again!

If you use egg carton and have large colonies it will be more frequent, but at the number you're talking about, biannual cleaning is plenty. It may not even be necessary to do it that frequently.

Edit: I also heard about the worst when it comes to allergies are hissers or Dubia, true or not? The craniifer doesn't count as one right? (I know it's a stupid question)

"Hisser" generally refers to members of the tribe Gromphadorhinini and "dubia" refers only to Blaptica dubia. Blaberus craniifer is a member of the same family (Blaberidae) as both, but is not within the Gromphadorhinini and is not Blaptica dubia. So no.

 

[Crocodylidae]

Okay, thank you! I think that I will get some then, for the breeding issue I think that I will put the males only with males but I will keep a eye on them and make them lot of space if there is fighting problems. And even if one female breed how many babies could it be?. Also is craniifer a common species? Because when I was searching on Google I almost found nothing.
Probably a stupid question and unrelated to any insects but is there a limit of posts? I wanted to make another thread for questions for my mantis and others but I don't know if there is a limit?
I've also heard people saying that you need gloves when handling but if I do it without gloves is it okay?
Anyway, thanks again for answering!

(I also hope I don't sound like a bad owner when I ask so much questions about my future and current insects, it's just that I'm new to this and I'm worried to do bad for them)

 

[VolkswagenBug]

Okay, thank you! I think that I will get some then, for the breeding issue I think that I will put the males only with males but I will keep a eye on them and make them lot of space if there is fighting problems. And even if one female breed how many babies could it be?

I can't find estimates specifically for Blaberus craniifer. The brood size in B. giganteus varies between 10 and 18, but I think craniifer is a little more prolific, so I'm guessing 20-30.
There may be figures here, but I'd have to request the article because I'm not currently an ESA member, and that's an annoying process.

Also is craniifer a common species? Because when I was searching on Google I almost found nothing.

Also search for "death's head cockroach/roach." It's annoying, but people in the hobby sometimes omit scientific names.

Probably a stupid question and unrelated to any insects but is there a limit of posts? I wanted to make another thread for questions for my mantis and others but I don't know if there is a limit?

I don't think there's a specific limit, but keep it to a reasonable amount. Just try to keep rapid-fire questions about the same animal within the same post rather than starting a new thread for each question. That's what you've done here, so that's fine.

I've also heard people saying that you need gloves when handling but if I do it without gloves is it okay?

You don't need gloves as long as you wash your hands afterwards, but handling is probably not frequently necessary. I try to keep it to a minimum with my cockroaches, as it can stress them out.

 

[Crocodylidae]

Thanks again! Not related to craniifer in particular but roach related: When the ootheca is 'unhooked' (sorry I'm not sure of the term) of the mother, is it dead or will it still hatch? I saw one of those Ectobius in my garden in a jar full of water last time, the roach had a ootheca but then it just let go (probably because it was in the water), I took the roach away from the water and put it somewhere else and just threw the ootheca somewhere but then I felt a bit guilty
Last question (I think...) (about craniifer this time) if there is escape, no problems of invasion? I don't think they could survive/breed free in my house, but just to make sure.

 

[VolkswagenBug]

Thanks again! Not related to craniifer in particular but roach related: When the ootheca is 'unhooked' (sorry I'm not sure of the term) of the mother, is it dead or will it still hatch? I saw one of those Ectobius in my garden in a jar full of water last time, the roach had a ootheca but then it just let go (probably because it was in the water), I took the roach away from the water and put it somewhere else and just threw the ootheca somewhere but then I felt a bit guilty

I'm pretty sure viviparity is exclusive or near-exclusive to the Blaberidae within the cockroaches, so Ectobius probably reproduces oviparously (externally through the ootheca). Ergo, a released ootheca would be potentially viable. I don't know what effect the water would have on it and it would probably depend on the amount of time that it was in there.

Last question (I think...) (about craniifer this time) if there is escape, no problems of invasion? I don't think they could survive/breed free in my house, but just to make sure.

Unless your house is really humid and has a lot of opened food lying around, you're fine.

 

[Crocodylidae]

My house is humid but pretty cold, anyway, thanks again! I will maybe post pictures of their enclosure when I will get them!

 

[Crocodylidae]

Oh and I forgot one small question. When I get my roaches, I want to add springtails with them and my milliped to avoid mites but that's probably stupid but I'm worried if I get some, the springtails end up being too much and 'invading' my house or something because I've heard about it as a pest and my house is pretty humid, so I don't know if getting them in my terrarium is the best idea?
And are the cleaning mites on roaches a big deal or no?

 

[VolkswagenBug]

Oh and I forgot one small question. When I get my roaches, I want to add springtails with them and my milliped to avoid mites but that's probably stupid but I'm worried if I get some, the springtails end up being too much and 'invading' my house or something because I've heard about it as a pest and my house is pretty humid, so I don't know if getting them in my terrarium is the best idea?
And are the cleaning mites on roaches a big deal or no?

I don't think springtails would cause any issues even if they got established in your house. Mites aren't that big of a deal generally, but springtails also help with mold.

 

[Crocodylidae]

Okay thanks!, I was afraid because I had grain mite like three times in a few months. Will the cleaning mites help or not really, do they only stay on the cockroaches? I'm also asking myself what is the best between; getting them in their own terrarium (30x30x45) or housing them with my milliped, sun beetles and their larvaes in a 45x45x45 ExoTerra terrarium where they would be lot of hides but I don't know if this would be a good idea, roaches maybe don't like the high humidity that milliped requires maybe or not enough space for all of them and too much stress. I've heard about people doing it with hissers I think but I don't know with craniifer. Or I also thought about having pillbugs from my garden/forest and roaches together but don't know if it's a good mix (especially if the pillbugs are from the wild).
When it comes to the roaches again, if when I buy some one of the female already have an ootheca is there still ways to prevent if from hatching or not? (I don't want to hurt them or anything but I was wondering) I also heard that if one of the females mate, the female can have eggs multiple time even after the first ones?

And about leaves as well, I plan to put some in their terrarium but I've seen somewhere that leaves ''not dead/dry enough'' attract grain mites much more than other and I remember having a lot of problems with my milliped and the leaves, except springtails is there anything to prevent them from coming again?

(I had another question (I know, sorry, too much questions) not only about roaches but quick question on little animals in general and potential stress caused when handling. So I was wondering: I have a milliped, beetles; soon cockroaches, and others more 'fragile' (in my opinion) such as mantis and spider. So with the mantis and spiders and all I do it only when necessary so almost never, however with my other ones I do it more, so my question is: I like handling my animals, I know that insects and all don't particuliary like to be petted like a dog or anything but I still like handling them. I only handle my milliped a few times a month, very rarely my beetles (I have darkling beetles and sun beetles and the sun beetles really dislike being bothered) and when I get roaches I would like to handle them like my milliped, I've seen a lot of people doing it and cockroaches look pretty calm(?). Even animals such as locusts are really calm when you do it. When I handle those I'm being careful (not high height, being slow etc) and they don't look stressed, I let them walk around on me or in my room a little bit then put them back in their terrarium, and if I do it right they don't look bothered. But I'm questioning if this can cause too much stress for them? Even if they don't look like they are when I do it, could it be very bad for them? Or is it only with some specifics one (like I know tarantulas for exemple shouldn't be)? I read about it but some people say that it's fine sometimes and others say that they should never be handled?)

 

[VolkswagenBug]

Okay thanks!, I was afraid because I had grain mite like three times in a few months. Will the cleaning mites help or not really, do they only stay on the cockroaches?

I'm not sure that commensal mites are actually present on B. craniifer. If you're worried about grain mites, keep the moisture a little on the lower side and promptly remove food to avoid mold.

I'm also asking myself what is the best between; getting them in their own terrarium (30x30x45) or housing them with my milliped, sun beetles and their larvaes in a 45x45x45 ExoTerra terrarium where they would be lot of hides but I don't know if this would be a good idea, roaches maybe don't like the high humidity that milliped requires maybe or not enough space for all of them and too much stress. I've heard about people doing it with hissers I think but I don't know with craniifer. Or I also thought about having pillbugs from my garden/forest and roaches together but don't know if it's a good mix (especially if the pillbugs are from the wild).

I strongly recommend keeping them alone. The environmental requirements of each species are different and they may cause harm to each other, especially isopods - they are known to prey on young arthropods that are molting.

When it comes to the roaches again, if when I buy some one of the female already have an ootheca is there still ways to prevent if from hatching or not? (I don't want to hurt them or anything but I was wondering)

As I mentioned, lower temperatures and less than ideal living conditions can create stress and result in abortion of the ootheca. That is the only way I know of to prevent one from hatching manually without killing the female; this is the issue with keeping a viviparous species.

I also heard that if one of the females mate, the female can have eggs multiple time even after the first ones?

Yes, that is correct.

And about leaves as well, I plan to put some in their terrarium but I've seen somewhere that leaves ''not dead/dry enough'' attract grain mites much more than other and I remember having a lot of problems with my milliped and the leaves, except springtails is there anything to prevent them from coming again?

You don't necessarily need leaf litter in the terrarium with Blaberus species. That's a quick fix. Also, I guess higher ventilation can help.

I had another question (I know, sorry, too much questions) not only about roaches but quick question on little animals in general and potential stress caused when handling. So I was wondering: I have a milliped, beetles; soon cockroaches, and others more 'fragile' (in my opinion) such as mantis and spider. So with the mantis and spiders and all I do it only when necessary so almost never, however with my other ones I do it more, so my question is: I like handling my animals, I know that insects and all don't particuliary like to be petted like a dog or anything but I still like handling them. I only handle my milliped a few times a month, very rarely my beetles (I have darkling beetles and sun beetles and the sun beetles really dislike being bothered) and when I get roaches I would like to handle them like my milliped, I've seen a lot of people doing it and cockroaches look pretty calm(?). Even animals such as locusts are really calm when you do it. When I handle those I'm being careful (not high height, being slow etc) and they don't look stressed, I let them walk around on me or in my room a little bit then put them back in their terrarium, and if I do it right they don't look bothered. But I'm questioning if this can cause too much stress for them? Even if they don't look like they are when I do it, could it be very bad for them? Or is it only with some specifics one (like I know tarantulas for exemple shouldn't be)? I read about it but some people say that it's fine sometimes and others say that they should never be handled?)

Handling doesn't necessarily cause harm to cockroaches, but there are species that are better vs worse. In my experience, Blaberus species are a bit more resistant to being handled than some other blaberids (e.g., Pycnoscelus striatus, Archimandrita tesselata, members of the Gromphadorhini...), but they can be acclimated to handling by doing it on a fairly regular schedule. The issue with fast-moving and easily spooked species is that they can easily fall off of you and get critically injured before acclimated (though because B. craniifer adults can glide, this is much less risky). Species that are even better for handling outside the blaberids tend to be found in the Polyphagidae, e.g. Polyphaga saussurei, Ergaula pilosa. If you want to handle a cockroach, those are your best bet.
Also, I recommend handling only adults. Nymphs are also more touchy in cockroaches.

 

[Crocodylidae]

So if I don't put the males and females together when home but they were already together in the small box in the shop, is there risks that many females are gravid or that I get a big population explosion? Oh and how fast do the nymphs grow? If one female is gravid I will probably give the nymphs to my mantis when bigger
Anyway, thank very much for your answers! The only thing I'm afraid now is that the more I'm thinking about it the more I'm not sure about the species, I remember saying them as craniifer in my shop but I saw on Internet that behind this name can hide discoids or fusca and last time I didn't observe them enough to know except for the name but anyway, I will find out in a few days when I can go here.
About handling some people said that hissers make greater pets because Blablerus are pretty fast but I don't know if this just depends on the individual, about the 'being used to it when handled often' is this is a great idea to 'tame' them or I still should let them alone most of the time?

I think that the biggest problem is that I can only buy them mixed (male/female) and a dozen or even more with the risk of having too much nymphs, but if I had to I would have only took like 4 females only or something, but since the feeders roaches are the only one my store sell and winter is risky for sending insects I can't buy them online either. I wonder if about the moment spring comes back I can buy online again or if it will still be risky. And I don't know if it's possible to ask in the store to only have a few females (probably not since they're already in the box)

 

[VolkswagenBug]

So if I don't put the males and females together when home but they were already together in the small box in the shop, is there risks that many females are gravid or that I get a big population explosion?

Yes to the former, but the latter is really dependent on the environment. This paper may be of interest.

Oh and how fast do the nymphs grow? If one female is gravid I will probably give the nymphs to my mantis when bigger

Also depends on the environment, but these larger species tend to take longer to grow than smaller ones. I think at normal conditions, they mature in a year or so. Feeding off nymphs is a good way to decrease the population, and if you still find it growing too large when you're feeding your mantis, consider getting a few more prolific eaters such as assassin bugs, mantids, and centipedes.

Anyway, thank very much for your answers! The only thing I'm afraid now is that the more I'm thinking about it the more I'm not sure about the species, I remember saying them as craniifer in my shop but I saw on Internet that behind this name can hide discoids or fusca and last time I didn't observe them enough to know except for the name but anyway, I will find out in a few days when I can go here.

B. craniifer can be distinguished from discoidalis or fusca by its black adult wings. That's the easiest way.

About handling some people said that hissers make greater pets because Blablerus are pretty fast but I don't know if this just depends on the individual, about the 'being used to it when handled often' is this is a great idea to 'tame' them or I still should let them alone most of the time?

That's correct, although I'd argue that hissers aren't actually better pets just by virtue of being slower - a pet can still be fascinating and fun without needing to touch it.
Cockroaches display "personalities" and their response to handling is going to be affected by those. There are still trends across taxonomic groups with regards to docility and speed, though. The effects of tactile acclimation on lifespan and stress in roaches have not been studied and it may not be good for the cockroach.

I think that the biggest problem is that I can only buy them mixed (male/female) and a dozen or even more with the risk of having too much nymphs, but if I had to I would have only took like 4 females only or something, but since the feeders roaches are the only one my store sell and winter is risky for sending insects I can't buy them online either. I wonder if about the moment spring comes back I can buy online again or if it will still be risky. And I don't know if it's possible to ask in the store to only have a few females (probably not since they're already in the box)

You can still buy online (if there are places in France that sell them, but probably not a good idea to import at this time of year). Just request a heat pack and use overnight shipping. And you should still at least ask for a small count. Do remember that getting pure females will mean there is a potential for birth, though, so perhaps a selection of males is better

 

[Crocodylidae]

You can still buy online (if there are places in France that sell them, but probably not a good idea to import at this time of year). Just request a heat pack and use overnight shipping. And you should still at least ask for a small count. Do remember that getting pure females will mean there is a potential for birth, though, so perhaps a selection of males is better

There is an expo of reptiles (and insects) close to where I live, in March but it's in a long time..
So I checked online, no craniifer found but, they sell hissers individually or a couple of Elliptorhina avanica (which is a species I'm interested in) but the price for the javanica are originally 5€ but with heat pack, overnight shipping it's 10€ more which is one of the reasons I hesitate between online or store, the augmentation of the price, because that's probably stupid but with paying more than I should I would feel kind of 'scammed'. If I do order online I will ask for those two conditions though so the animals are comfortable but now I'm hesitating between store and online. When I go to the store I think that I will ask if there is possibility for only a few males even though there almost no chances but I will try, I know we can choose with the locusts at this store but the roaches are already 'packed up', if this is not possible I will either buy them mixed anyway or go online, I will see. Admitting I buy in store, I have nymphs and all, I would have my two mantids, but since it would not be enough I'm thinking about maybe feeding some random spiders who come in my house like tegenaria or maybe even Pholcus but I don't know if they would accept it..when it comes to centipedes etc I've never saw one but maybe one day, this looks interesting!
Are there any small animals/insects who could eat small roaches?

And about the handling thank you for answering this, I think that I will see the first time if they are comfortable being handled otherwise I would let them alone. Another question is there any things (food) toxic to cockroaches, like a certain type of wood (I know there is for beetles, milliped so probably cockroaches too)?
I wanted to buy fern in store for them but because they probably had stuff in it, is there any way to wash it off or is it better to not give any plants from the store?

 

[VolkswagenBug]

There is an expo of reptiles (and insects) close to where I live, in March but it's in a long time..
So I checked online, no craniifer found but, they sell hissers individually or a couple of Elliptorhina avanica (which is a species I'm interested in) but the price for the javanica are originally 5€ but with heat pack, overnight shipping it's 10€ more which is one of the reasons I hesitate between online or store, the augmentation of the price, because that's probably stupid but with paying more than I should I would feel kind of 'scammed'.

Jesus, you only have to pay 10 € for overnight shipping? In the US, it's often between $20 and $40 (18 € - 36 €) for a typical insect package. If anything, you're scamming them!

If I do order online I will ask for those two conditions though so the animals are comfortable but now I'm hesitating between store and online. When I go to the store I think that I will ask if there is possibility for only a few males even though there almost no chances but I will try, I know we can choose with the locusts at this store but the roaches are already 'packed up', if this is not possible I will either buy them mixed anyway or go online, I will see. Admitting I buy in store, I have nymphs and all, I would have my two mantids, but since it would not be enough I'm thinking about maybe feeding some random spiders who come in my house like tegenaria or maybe even Pholcus but I don't know if they would accept it..when it comes to centipedes etc I've never saw one but maybe one day, this looks interesting!

You can buy centipedes online. Scolopendra are reasonably popular pets.

Are there any small animals/insects who could eat small roaches?

Vertebrates: tons of lizards and I think amphibians, maybe also like a hedgehog or something.
Invertebrates: any reduviid large enough, tarantulas, centipedes, mantids, vinegaroons, whipspiders, scorpions

Another question is there any things (food) toxic to cockroaches, like a certain type of wood (I know there is for beetles, milliped so probably cockroaches too)?

Well, there aren't any blaberids that can digest wood to my knowledge, so don't feed any type of wood to them. The issue is mostly with pesticides, so look for pesticide-free vegetables and fruits. Baby carrots are a great food for cockroaches because the external part of the carrot, which may have pesticides, is stripped off. Also make sure to wash fresh food before feeding.

I wanted to buy fern in store for them but because they probably had stuff in it, is there any way to wash it off or is it better to not give any plants from the store?

I don't really know if they would eat ferns. I'd go with more typical household fruits and vegetables, provided they're pesticide-free (iceberg lettuce isn't good for nutrition though, so keep that in mind).

 

[Crocodylidae]

Oh I didn't know it!
By the way, is there still risks in december even with heat pack? I maybe want roaches but also milliped, even mantis, but I think of them as pretty 'weak' to tolerate shipping during winter.

When it comes to the food I will give them beetle jelly, fruits and maybe fish food/dog food or something like that but I don't know if those last two are safe with the salt and all (if I want to feed some roaches to my mantis after). If I was asking for the plants and wood this was mostly because I want to provide a lot of hides and decorations and I know I did it for my beetles but they sometimes crunch on it so that's why, thank you for answering!

Oh too bad, I knew someone who had lizards in his garden but he is moving. Well I will try to find looking for some predators in the wild but also thinking about getting some as pets, unfortunately I don't see anywhere who sell centipedes but hopefully one day. I would love a whipspider one day, everywhere I saw them though they are about 40€ for small ones, I don't know if is it a difficult species or if it's too expensive? Another cool spider is the Phidippus reigus but same thing I only saw them to 40 to 70 €, I've heard about breeders selling them for less than a dozen but never actually saw them selling this low..
I can't get a tarantula or scorpions because I don't have the certification for those, I think that I will look for some arachnids that I can own without it, I think it's legal to own
Ancylometes bogotensis, Holconia insignis but not sure of the disponibiliy of those or if they can be dangerous- Or maybe Peucetia Madagascariensis.

I also thought about maybe if I have too much cockroaches, give them to a petstore but if I'm not a professional breeder I don't think I can (?), or maybe sell them or something.