The threat of a Dubia

[additude]

I picked up a nice GBB the other day. It is about a 1.5" and came in a nice enclosure, like L15xW8xH8 with a hide that's already webbed, a few plastic plants. It likes sitting on top of the hide on the web. I feed it crickets and superworms so far. Today I was doing some maintenance, watering, plucked an old cricket out and when I closed the lid, I saw a big Dubia, like 3/8-inch scoot out of under a plant and then it ran back around behind the hide and disappeared under the back of the hide. I didn't even see it for maybe one full second. So how much threat does this pose to my GBB? Should I go Dubia hunting? I'm sure it's an escapee from previous feedings before myself. Thanks.

 

[HeartBum]

I picked up a nice GBB the other day. It is about a 1.5" and came in a nice enclosure, like L15xW8xH8 with a hide that's already webbed, a few plastic plants. It likes sitting on top of the hide on the web. I feed it crickets and superworms so far. Today I was doing some maintenance, watering, plucked an old cricket out and when I closed the lid, I saw a big Dubia, like 3/8-inch scoot out of under a plant and then it ran back around behind the hide and disappeared under the back of the hide. I didn't even see it for maybe one full second. So how much threat does this pose to my GBB? Should I go Dubia hunting? I'm sure it's an escapee from previous feedings before myself. Thanks.

If you see it out and about then grab it, otherwise; if it’s not easily accessible without destroying the enclosure and webbing, then I wouldn’t worry too much to be honest. Just keep an eye on things when your T moults. People say they can chew on a moulting T but there aren’t too many cases of it being reported as far as I’m aware. More likely to happen with crickets.

 

[darkness975]

I picked up a nice GBB the other day. It is about a 1.5" and came in a nice enclosure, like L15xW8xH8 with a hide that's already webbed, a few plastic plants. It likes sitting on top of the hide on the web. I feed it crickets and superworms so far. Today I was doing some maintenance, watering, plucked an old cricket out and when I closed the lid, I saw a big Dubia, like 3/8-inch scoot out of under a plant and then it ran back around behind the hide and disappeared under the back of the hide. I didn't even see it for maybe one full second. So how much threat does this pose to my GBB? Should I go Dubia hunting? I'm sure it's an escapee from previous feedings before myself. Thanks.

If you can get it out without destroying everything I would.

 

[greeneyedelle]

They can live in that enclosure for months without you seeing hide or hair of them, and they only really pose a threat if/when your tarantula is molting, so just erring on the side of caution, remove it if/when you notice your t might be molting soon. Or if you happen to see it again. My porteri has made it clear she would rather cohabitate with them than eat them so they're no longer on her feeding regimen.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

what they said. Lol

 

[coolnweird]

Try placing a piece of vegetable in the enclosure, if it's dry like a GBB's should be, the roach will seek out the moisture. Then you can pluck it out!

 

[additude]

Thanks everyone, that's pretty much what I thought. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

Id be more worried about a gravid female having babies and the babies infesting my house lol

 

[additude]

Id be more worried about a gravid female having babies and the babies infesting my house lol

Well that my friend, I would consider a very serious problem.... There's nothing like turning your whole entire house into a communal tarantula encloser, eh? I couldn't even imagine what my wife would say....

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

Well that my friend, I would consider a very serious problem.... There's nothing like turning your whole entire house into a communal tarantula encloser, eh? I couldn't even imagine what my wife would say....

Oh i meant the roaches lol

 

[The Grym Reaper]

B. dubia will cannibalise which makes them a potential threat to your tarantula (if it has no qualms eating other dubia then it'll happily chow down on a moulting/freshly moulted tarantula), I'd hook it out even if it meant destroying some webbing, a tarantula can always put down more webbing, it can't regenerate from being nommed to death though.

 

[rock]

“ The threat of a dubia “ - that makes me chuckle every time I read it

 

[Arachnophobphile]

I picked up a nice GBB the other day. It is about a 1.5" and came in a nice enclosure, like L15xW8xH8 with a hide that's already webbed, a few plastic plants. It likes sitting on top of the hide on the web. I feed it crickets and superworms so far. Today I was doing some maintenance, watering, plucked an old cricket out and when I closed the lid, I saw a big Dubia, like 3/8-inch scoot out of under a plant and then it ran back around behind the hide and disappeared under the back of the hide. I didn't even see it for maybe one full second. So how much threat does this pose to my GBB? Should I go Dubia hunting? I'm sure it's an escapee from previous feedings before myself. Thanks.

I had a large dubia live for months on end in the same enclosure with my T that I thought was dinner along time ago.

Only when I rehoused that T did I find the dubia which I didn't know was in there.

Needless to say it was dinner for a different tarantula. I got real lucky and my tarantula too. It's rare but is a possibility of a dubia eating a molting T. If you can remove the stupid thing and crush it's head then throw it in for a T dinner.

 

[cold blood]

Id be more worried about a gravid female having babies and the babies infesting my house lol

dubia would not be able to infest your house...its one of the big reasons dubia are the most popular feeder roach.

fwiw, there would only be a threat to the t if the GBB molted

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

dubia would not be able to infest your house...its one of the big reasons dubia are the most popular feeder roach.

I didn't bother to check where op lives, but here in florida id wager they would. Less you mean they dont reproduce fast enough or something.

 

[cold blood]

I didn't bother to check where op lives, but here in florida id wager they would.

a home in FL may provide acceptable temps, but the inside of any home would be way too dry for a dubia to survive long, much less breed and infest.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

This might be interesting.

Man arrested on charges of purchasing 500 illegal exotic roaches online

This info. might might be old news to forums, but thought I should post. ORLANDO, Fla. -- The online purchase of 500 illegal exotic roaches, coveted as gourmet reptile food because of their soft shells and high protein content, sent a Florida man to jail on felony charges. Agents with the...

www.chameleonforums.com

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

a home in FL may provide acceptable temps, but the inside of any home would be way too dry for a dubia to survive long, much less breed and infest.

Ah ok. Still wouldn't wanna risk it, our bathroom is wet a lot cause people dont dry off before getting out the damn shower. We spray for em anyway tho

 

[cold blood]

Ah ok. Still wouldn't wanna risk it, our bathroom is wet a lot cause people dont dry off before getting out the damn shower. We spray for em anyway tho

In Florida or a similarly warm climate, you do have another option we wouldnt have up north...you can set up one of those fairly inexpensive sheds outside in the yard, away from the house and raise roaches in the shed....I believe I have read a few reports from people here that do just that....great Idea and one I would definitely utilize if I wasnt way up in WI.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

In Florida or a similarly warm climate, you do have another option we wouldnt have up north...you can set up one of those fairly inexpensive sheds outside in the yard, away from the house and raise roaches in the shed....I believe I have read a few reports from people here that do just that....great Idea and one I would definitely utilize if I wasnt way up in WI.

Good idea, appreciate it, but I don't really have enough Ts to warrant that yet. Yet.