I finally talked my husband into....

[kokom05lb]

I'm tired of crickets!!!! So, I talked my husband into letting me try roaches. Come June 1st I'm going to order some roaches and pray that my 2 chams will like them. IF they dont I think I'm going to cry.

Anywas, whats the best way to keep roaches? Gutload and stuff? going to get things sit up and finish the doors on the 2 cages before the June 1st comes rolling up.

Thanks

 

[LLLReptile]

It's easiest in a large bin with smooth sides. Personally, I like keeping dubias in a large storage bin.

A layer of bark can be placed in the bottom, or for easier and more frequent cleaning, papertowel can be used. A few pieces of egg crate will provide hiding places and more room for the roaches to crawl on. I switch off between using the Repashy bug burger and the nature zone total bites as my gutload, the bug burger has a distinct odor to it...but the roaches love it, and it's easy to make and use. The total bites smell much better (almost like jolly ranchers), so you might want to start with those!

A little heat pad on the side will keep them warm, or if you can keep the tub on a hard surface, you can place the heat pad on the bottom. Just don't put the heat pad on the bottom and then place the tub on carpet, that's a fire hazard! A warm spot will help the roaches breed and grow much faster, although if you have them in an area that's between 75 and 85 most of the time, you can skip the heat pad.

Lastly...check it out! Roach care sheets! http://lllreptile.com/info/library/animal-care-sheets/invertebrates/-/orange-spotted-roach-dubia/

And hissers, in case that's what you're getting instead:
http://lllreptile.com/info/library/animal-care-sheets/invertebrates/-/madagascar-hissing-cockroach/

Hope that helps!

-Jen

 

[RealIzeRecognIze]

I also use the total bites they're great ha along with fresh veg. And I use Dino fuel raptor addition as dry gutload. I'm sure that your chams will like but I have to put crix in her bowl to keep the roaches alives/ moving. Good luck!

 

[skittles1234]

my boyfriend is so against the idea!! how did you convince him?

 

[kokom05lb]

We have crickets jumping all over the place it seems (somehow they are escaping) so he agreed with me lol

 

[justjumpit621]

I keep mine is a glass 10 gallon tank with a screen lid and a heating pad underneath. Dubia's can't climb the glass but can climb the plastic bins (I hate the plastic bins), also hissers can climb ANYTHING including glass so a layer of vaseline or double sided tape works well around the top of the inside of the glass or plastic bin. I have a rather large layer of some petroleum jelly around the tank with my hissers. They just need nice high temps which is what the heating pad is good for and fresh fruits and veggies. Sandrachameleon has some great blog entries with info on good gutload choices.

 

[creddjobs]

I keep my dubias in a 13 gal rubbermaid with the lid. I use egg crates to house with them. I use a old lid to a parkay butter container and a solo cup cut at the bottom to feed them. I usually gutload with greens, apples, oranges, banannas, squash, carrots. I use fluckers dry gutload also (cricket crack is better). I keep them on a heating pad on MED temp. They are breeding and my cham eats them. They are so juicy! YUMMY!

 

[creddjobs]

I keep my dubias in a 13 gal rubbermaid with the lid. I use egg crates to house with them. I use a old lid to a parkay butter container and a solo cup cut at the bottom to feed them. I usually gutload with greens, apples, oranges, banannas, squash, carrots. I use fluckers dry gutload also (cricket crack is better). I keep them on a heating pad on MED temp. They are breeding and my cham eats them. They are so juicy! YUMMY!

Also I have never had any excape or climb out. I only have half of the dubia bin covered (placed lid on sideways) because my hole with the screen on it is too small and I have been lazy with cutting another one. Make sure they have enough air flow if your using a heating pad, if not it can get humid and your egg crates will get soft and the colony will start to smell. Just a heads up.

 

[creddjobs]

my boyfriend is so against the idea!! how did you convince him?

Tell him how they dont make noise, and they have little or no smell, plus the breed like crazy so less $$$ you got to spend.