Cleaning dubia bin

[Goggles]

How often do you clean out the bin? I've heard leave it in there for the little guys, and keep it clean.
So what does everybody do as far as cleaning up the little poops?

 

[Texas Panther Man]

I clean mine monthly but I dont have a large colony yet. Only about 4-500 at the moment.

 

[mc9423]

I don't clean mine.

 

[jessica]

I just pick out the wilting fruit or veggies every couple days. The nymphs live in the frass (poop).

I have a colony of a couple thousand, I keep them in my house and they still don't smell as bad as crickets

 

[Goggles]

Thanks for the replies.
Sounds like I can scoop out some frass and leave some in for little guys.
I also agree with the smell, WAY better than crickets!!

 

[ChamOh]

what could be sweeter than the smell of frass in the morning?

 

[Monkeykungphu]

Not much man... not much! Hard to beat a constant supply of easily reproducing feeders that hardly smell, make no chirping noises, can't jump & are really good for your herps!

I love you dubia roach, I truly love you!!!

 

[fluxlizard]

I clean as I feed sort of.

As I collect nymphs to feed I sort the adults I grab along with them into a new tub to start a new colony. Eventually all of the nymphs are fed out and all of the adults are in the new tub, and then I dump all the crud out of the old tub and wash it out and begin again.

 

[ChamOh]

Not much man... not much! Hard to beat a constant supply of easily reproducing feeders that hardly smell, make no chirping noises, can't jump & are really good for your herps!

I love you dubia roach, I truly love you!!!

x2 .

 

[Goggles]

I clean as I feed sort of.

As I collect nymphs to feed I sort the adults I grab along with them into a new tub to start a new colony. Eventually all of the nymphs are fed out and all of the adults are in the new tub, and then I dump all the crud out of the old tub and wash it out and begin again.

That's a good idea. I already have the extra bin and heat bulbs just have to get the dome lamp. Thanks.

 

[lisagr07]

That's a good idea. I already have the extra bin and heat bulbs just have to get the dome lamp. Thanks.

do you really need a heat lamp for them? i thought that they liked the dark and didn't have any special needs.. thanks,, lisa

 

[Goggles]

If you want them to breed they need heat.
Mine are kept in the basement where it is about 65.
One 50 watt infrared lamp or heat pad is all you need though.

 

[lisagr07]

If you want them to breed they need heat.
Mine are kept in the basement where it is about 65.
One 50 watt infrared lamp or heat pad is all you need though.

what temp do you need for them to breed? how long do you supply the heat??? lisa

 

[radstusky]

What do you use for a substrate? I've heard coconut husks I think, but I'm just wondering what the general consensus is? I may get into the dubias soon myself.

 

[jrh3]

dont use substrate it gets in they way and is more of a mess. I clean once every other month and i have about 2,500 of them. Im hoping to get up to about 25,000 before i start feeding so i can reproduce as soon as i feed.

 

[Berg]

dont use substrate it gets in they way and is more of a mess. I clean once every other month and i have about 2,500 of them. Im hoping to get up to about 25,000 before i start feeding so i can reproduce as soon as i feed.

how many chams do u have?

 

[jrh3]

not enough ha!Ha!

My chameleons have their own room if that helps.

 

[lisagr07]

What's a good number to have, and feed out of atthe same time, without depleating it?
Thanks , Lisa

 

[ChamOh]

do you really need a heat lamp for them? i thought that they liked the dark and didn't have any special needs.. thanks,, lisa

A heat lamp -- or any source of heat is not necessary to keep dubia alive, some food and a water sources is all that's needed. However, they start breeding and reproducing like crazy once you give them heat. You can throw a heat pad under their bin or some people go with a heat "blub" (no light, just heat). So if you want to grow your colony quickly, you'll need heat.

 

[JCDenton]

It seems like these are the most convenient feeder but roaches are so creepy...how do you get over that? How fast are these roaches and do they ever escape into your house?