Roaches

[redsfandrew]

Ok so i am fairly new to chams and I was wondering about having a constant food supply. I see alot of people have there own Dubia colonies and I say to my self; "self, why would anyone bring roaches close to their house?". My wife would kill me! So i am looking for a good plan. Has anyone had any problems with them breeding so fast that they took over the house? Any insight on this topic might help me with swaying the misses.

 

[patrickfraser]

They need to be kept warm to breed and can take up to 6 months to grow full size. Very little risk of infestation unless you could be a candidate for the show hoarders and live in a tropical climate. That's why dubias cannot be sent to Florida.

 

[Zen Reptiles]

There are thousands of species of roaches, some of which can only survive in high-humid, high-temperature environments. The pest roaches are the ones like German and American cockroaches with thrive in a dryer, temperate environment like a house.

On the more tropical side, and in the natural diet of panther chameleons, would be Hissing roaches. They cannot survive in the home environment whatsoever unless you live in the deep deep south. Ohio I think is okay.

More in the middle is dubias, they don't need the high humidity, and they can live in the house for a while, but it's highly unlikely they will infest your home unless say you dropped 1000 of them by accident (which has happened to people).

For the peace of mind of your wife, hissers are your best option, they get nice and large (personally I think the smaller species are the creepiest).

Dubia are easier to breed, hissers need the higher humidity. Another thing to note is that hissers can climb any surface, whereas dubias can only climb screen. I have never had a problem with hissers and I had about 50 escape when my sister's ex bf's dog got into the roach container to eat the dog food I had in there LOL.

Some other names you will see fly around are Turkestan or Red Runners - these can infest your house. Discoid are a good option but slower to reproduce than dubia.

IMO Hissers, dubias, and green-banana roaches are the best options. Green bananas can fly and climb any surface, but they are super-tropical and not a pest...also chameleons LOVE green bugs.

 

[redsfandrew]

Wow! You guys are great! Love this site. Thank you!!!!!

 

[Ben0918]

dubia roaches are the best insect to breed hands down. VERY easy too. they are mistaken for the German cockroaches but these guys cant fly, cant climb smooth surfaces, and most likely wont take over a house. they are also very healthy for any reptile