So much for "they cant climb walls"

[spideygonzales]

Attached is a picture I just took of an adult B. lateralis female... Not sure how it got up there but it did. I put Vaseline on the upper area of the box, but from watching the roaches it seemed this was more a help than a barrier for them not sure. I think their hides might be too close to the walls and they can climb up from there, but I dunno. I thought they cant climb walls at all and will definately slip on the Vaseline at the latest, but that doesnt seem to be the case.

I only have this colony for 3 days so Im beeing extra careful and put the box the roaches are in into a large box with a lid and this larger box I put in the bathtub so I rly dont think anything can get out. Or atleast I hope. Ill attach a picture of that aswell.

What do you guys think? These roaches seem to be better at climbing than I read elsewhere. Can they break out through the fly screen I hotglued into the box? Like chew through it or something?

In general any other precautions I should take? I really dont want these in my appartement...

Thanks for the help.

 

[Faing]

Fly screen is metal/aluminum right? If it's like plastic or mesh I wouldn't use it. I'm only saying that because I am not aware of the names of different things and am not familiar with the screen you use. I'm assuming your female was able to find something to reach up there. I just started breeding these recently and haven't had problems. If you're nervous, the solution: a taller container. I haven't seen these guys or B dubia climb glass. My B dubia didn't climb hard water stains well either.

 

[spideygonzales]

Nah its actually polyester. I suppose that isnt ideal, but I couldnt find metal/alu in my local store. I guess a taller container would help.

Also preemtively put up a trap in the room Im keeping them in (duct tape with peanut butter works for b. lateralis too i hope?)

Anyway I suppose Im just a bit nervous, cause im new to breeding these and Ive read they can be quite a pain if they manage to escape. And now that I saw them actually reaching the top of the enclosure with ease Im a bit concerned.

Also forgot to mention that yesterday when I put them in this container I had 3 or 4 males and I think 1 female climb up all the way to the end of the container and if I wouldnt have been there they wouldve escaped. I actually had to flick them back into the box. The Vaseline didnt do a thing, if anything they seemed to have an easier time once theyve reached it. So it really does seem like they can climb up as long as its only a few inches. Theyll eventually fall down, but if they just have to climb for a few seconds before reaching the top they seem very capable.

 

[Faing]

Nah its actually polyester. I suppose that isnt ideal, but I couldnt find metal/alu in my local store. I guess a taller container would help.

Also preemtively put up a trap in the room Im keeping them in (duct tape with peanut butter works for b. lateralis too i hope?)

Anyway I suppose Im just a bit nervous, cause im new to breeding these and Ive read they can be quite a pain if they manage to escape. And now that I saw them actually reaching the top of the enclosure with ease Im a bit concerned.

Also forgot to mention that yesterday when I put them in this container I had 3 or 4 males and I think 1 female climb up all the way to the end of the container and if I wouldnt have been there they wouldve escaped. I actually had to flick them back into the box. The Vaseline didnt do a thing, if anything they seemed to have an easier time once theyve reached it. So it really does seem like they can climb up as long as its only a few inches. Theyll eventually fall down, but if they just have to climb for a few seconds before reaching the top they seem very capable.

Interesting. I haven't seen one climb at all. My males don't even try to fly. I used a soldering iron to poke holes through the top. Crickets can chew through plastic mesh, I don't know how much stronger polyester is in comparison but it's something to think about. Some plastics are easier to climb than others. Vaseline or Roach barrier from AaronPauling has always worked for me.

Clear shipping tape is used to keep pinhead crickets in by some people. Maybe do one layer Vaseline and another shipping tape and see if that gives you results. I don't see how that would hurt. Just a thought.

 

[spideygonzales]

Clear shipping tape is used to keep pinhead crickets in by some people. Maybe do one layer Vaseline and another shipping tape and see if that gives you results. I don't see how that would hurt. Just a thought.

Ah good call on the shipping tape I'd imagine thatll work well. Ill try that.

 

[Ellenantula]

That container looks shallow, and they have much longer legs than they appear to. And they can stand on something tall -- or better: stand on top of another roach on top of another roach standing on something tall. I'm sure you've witnessed them crawling all over one another. Yours only needed to hook one foot in screening to pull herself up to top.
I have always kept mine in a deep bin, and would recommend at least 5 or 6 inches clearance from top of egg crates (or whatever is tallest in enclosure) to lid. I also use new containers, even minute scratches could allow a foot hold -- sides must be super slick and smooth. The 'no climbing' is completely dependent on walls being slick and lacking texture. I have never used vaseline or clear tape. My escapes are due to their tameness -- they know no fear of me, and they often crawl up my hands/arms when I am doing maintenance or feeding. I just shake them back inside.

 

[Storm76]

B. laterelis can climb just as good as any other Red Runner.