When it comes to an excellent source of protein and nutrients for your bearded dragon, it's hard to beat the Dubia shell. It is one of the best foods you can give your beard. And luckily, Dubia cockroaches are one of the easiest food insects to keep. Here's everything you need to know to care for Dubia cockroaches so you can in turn care for your dragon.
How to care for Dubia Roaches: Get started
The most important thing to do when deciding to keep cockroaches is to determine your ultimate goal for them. Do you want to raise your own colony or just maintain food insects? What your Dubia roach care plan looks like will vary slightly depending on your purpose. In this post you will primarily learn how to care for cockroaches, with a few notes on breeding.
A note breeding:If you plan to breed, be aware that some people develop allergies to cockroaches from prolonged exposure and contact. Breeders typically have an increased risk of developing an allergic reaction (which can include breathing difficulties) as it involves more handling and care than keeping the cockroaches for feeding.Consider adding convenience and minimizing risk with oneroach subscription instead- the exact number of cockroaches in the exact size you need will be delivered to your door right when your dragon needs them.
Supplies
You don't need much to provide a happy and safe home for your Dubia cockroaches. Here's everything you need to get started:
- Dark colored plastic container with lid or glass tank with mesh lid.Make sure your chosen enclosure has smooth sides. Cockroaches do not climb walls, but they can use worn surfaces for support and can manage to get out if the interior is not smooth. Additionally, if you choose a plastic bucket, be sure to cut a ventilation hole in the lid and use a glue gun to attach netting over it.
- Egg crates. You can often buy the bottom of egg crates from your local grocery store. Cockroaches love to tumble in and out of the cracks. If you have fewer cockroaches, you can just pull apart standard-sized egg cartons and use the bottoms.
- Roach chow.Although not absolutely necessary, since cockroaches can eat a variety of fruits and vegetables that people usually have in their homes already,roach chowis an effective way to add important nutrients that can help your dragon thrive. A healthy shell means a healthy, happy dragon!
- Water gel or crystals,such as our clean and practicalBug Chug.
- A shallow water dish and a shallow feed bowl or two.
- A small heaterif you breed or store your cockroaches in an unheated garage or other environment without regulated temperature.
- A small thermometer and hygrometerto monitor your tank's temperature and humidity level.
Setting up the environment
- Choose the size of your container or tank.Dubia cockroaches like to live in tight quarters practically on top of each other, so the size of your containment unit will depend on how many cockroaches you intend to keep at a time. If you plan to breed, you'll most likely want a larger option (eg, a 14-gallon plastic tote); if you're only going to have 30 to 50 cockroaches at a time, you'll want to explore smaller options.
- Decide where you want to keep your cockroaches.They prefer to live in total darkness, so if you use a glass terrarium, you will need to keep them somewhere without light. If you use a solid color plastic bucket, especially navy blue or black, it doesn't matter so much if the room is dark. If the idea of keeping cockroaches in your home bothers you, a garage or shed will work just fine as long as you provide adequate heat.
- Place the egg case bottoms vertically in the container or tank,ensure that there is a few centimeters between the lid and the top of the egg boxes to eliminate any possibility of escape. Roaches love to crawl through the egg cups and this will make it easier for you to remove the roaches when feeding.
- Place the thermometer and hygrometer in the container or tank; add the heater if necessary.
- Then add the cockroaches!
Note that you do not need any substrate. Cockroaches actually drill in their own feces, so they don't need anything extra; and substrate only make it more difficult for you to clean the cage.
Heat and humidity
Temperature and humidity levels greatly affect Dubia cockroaches. Follow these guidelines based on your goal with the cockroaches:
- Growth.Whether or not your roaches will grow depends on the temperature they live in. If you are currently housing roaches that are already the size your dragon needs, keep the temperature between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (60 or below is best) . If you are breeding or want them to grow for another reason, the warmer the better: Keep their temperature between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The closer the temperature is to 90, the more effective.
- Reproduction.Breeders should set the humidity level at 60 percent and the temperature between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
- General comfort.Non-breeding Dubia cockroaches do not have specific humidity requirements, although it does no harm to give them an occasional mist of water if the air is dry where they are kept. If your cockroaches seem to have trouble molting, you may need to increase the humidity a bit; but typically roaches are fine with humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent.
What to Feed Dubia Roaches
Feeding and gut strain of your cockroaches
Dubia cockroaches are known to eat almost any food, spoiled or unspoiled. They have even been known to eat paper, glue and similar non-food items. But just because Dubia cockroaches can eat almost anything doesn't mean they should. When deciding what to feed your cockroaches, prioritize your dragon's health. What nutrients, vitamins and minerals does your dragon need most? Feed your cockroaches plenty of food rich in these areas and your dragon will benefit. This practice is called gut-loading.
Pro tip:Never feed wild cockroaches or wild insects to your beard – it's impossible to know what they've eaten or where they've been.
Safe food
While you prioritize your dragon, you still want to make sure that everything you give your cockroaches is safe for them to eat.
Most products you find in your local grocery store are safe for cockroaches to eat. Here are some roach favorites that will also benefit your dragon:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Stir
- Berry
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Citrus fruits (Roaches love sweet citrus fruits, but they should only be offered once or twice a week. Bearded dragons can't tolerate a lot of citrus. The acid is too harsh on their digestive system.)
- Corn
- Dry fruit
- Leafy green
- Lettuce (Although this is nutrient poor for humans and bearded dragons, cockroaches metabolize this differently and derive protein from it.)
- Cereals such as oatmeal
- Mangoer
- Papaya
- Pear
- Bell pepper
- Prepackaged "Roach Chow",which is specialized, nutrient-dense food created for cockroaches
- Pumpkin
- Sweet potatoes
- Yams
Pro tip:Dubia cockroaches are particularly attracted to orange fruits and vegetables, possibly because of the vision-enhancing carotenoids they contain.
Unsafe foods
Avoid feeding these harmful foods to your cockroaches:
- Cat food, dog food and meat.Cockroaches are naturally high in protein. If they consume too much extra protein, their bodies convert it into uric acid, which can damage your beard.
- Anything that rots or is moldy.Be sure to clean anything the roaches don't eat within 48 hours to prevent rot or mold growth. Mold is toxic to cockroaches and can wipe out the entire colony.
How to feed your cockroaches
Typically, Dubia cockroaches can be fed once a day, and it's okay to skip a day every now and then. To feed them, place large fruit and vegetable slices or shell food in a shallow bowl and place the bowl inside the tank or container. Uneaten food should be removed at least every 48 hours, if not every 24 hours.
Water
Dubia cockroaches are famous for drowning easily, so a water bowl or dish is not really an option. There are two easy alternatives to ensure they stay hydrated:
- Use water crystals or gel, available online and at most pet stores (or try oursuper easy, super convenient pre-mixed water crystals!). You can place the gel or crystals in a bowl of shallow water that is easily accessible to your cockroaches.
- Moisture through fruits and vegetables.As simple as it sounds.
How much effort you want to put into rehydration comes back to why you keep the cockroaches in the first place. The important thing is that they are hydrated somehow.
How to care for your Dubia Roach cabinet
Once your cockroaches have settled into their new home, you will eventually need to clean the cage. Fortunately, it doesn't require much work. Depending on how many cockroaches you have and how much mess accumulates, you can clean your cage anywhere from every few weeks to every three months.
Here's all you need to do:
- Find a well-ventilated area to clean your tank or container to minimize the risk of developing allergies.
- Place the cockroaches in a spare bucket or tank with a lid. Be sure to download them all! You don't want to deal with an escape, even though it will most likely die if it doesn't exist.
- Wearing rubber gloves, remove all "frass" (debris) and exoskeletons (residues from melting). You can flush the remains down your toilet, throw them away or dispose of them in a flower garden or other suitable place outdoors.
- If necessary, you can scrub the tank or container clean with soapy water and rinse it thoroughly.
- Once the enclosure is dry, return the egg cases and cockroaches to their homes. To avoid the risk of mold, make sure that the cockroaches' home is completely dry.
- Remember to wash your hands every time you come into contact with your cockroaches.
Pro tip:To protect your cockroaches from ingesting harmful chemicals, use plant-based soap to scrub your enclosure.
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Healthy cockroaches help your dragon live a long and happy life. And caring for your dragon's cockroaches is as easy as following these simple guidelines. Ready to order your beard's first batch of these nutritious treats? Check out ourssize optionsand find the best fit for your kite. Bon appetit (to your beard, of course)!
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FAQs
Dubia Roach Care: How to successfully keep roaches at bay for your bearded dragon? ›
For your bearded dragon, live food advantages go beyond nutritional value. For one thing, Dubia roaches don't smell like other feeder insects. They're also easy to store — simply keep them in a container placed in a warm, dark location and give them food and water.
How do I keep Dubia roaches for my bearded dragon? ›For your bearded dragon, live food advantages go beyond nutritional value. For one thing, Dubia roaches don't smell like other feeder insects. They're also easy to store — simply keep them in a container placed in a warm, dark location and give them food and water.
How do I make sure Dubia roaches don't escape? ›Also remember that Dubia roaches can climb lightly scuffed surfaces. With any new enclosure, make sure the sides are smooth enough to prevent escape before going lidless. Keep in mind that small nymphs are smaller and lighter than larger ones, which means they can climb smoother surfaces.
Can I leave Dubia roaches in bearded dragon tank? ›Dubia roaches provide a wide range of nutrients, including ones bearded dragons need for good health. They have more of the good stuff beardies need, with less of the bad stuff they don't.
How often should I feed my bearded dragon Dubia roaches? ›Twice per day is acceptable, but your pet will grow more slowly. Make sure to have 1,050 roaches on hand per week. Juvenile Bearded Dragon (3-9 months old) = 25 - 50 medium roaches (1/2-inch nymphs) twice daily. Maturing Bearded Dragon (9+ months old) = 3-5 adult roaches (1" adults) almost daily.
What is the best thing to feed Dubia roaches? ›Dubia roaches love beets & carrots! Carrots and beets contain a range of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, fiber, sugars, and moisture. They are an important staple of our Dubia roach diet for several reasons. First, our roaches like them…a lot.
Do Dubia roaches need bedding? ›The warm temperatures and use of water crystals for hydration or regular root veggies (see below) should lead to appropriate humidity. There is no need to use any kind of substrate or bedding at the bottom of the enclosure, as the frass builds up the dubia roaches will dig and hide in the layer that develops.
Do Dubia roaches need to be misted? ›However, dubia roaches are originally from the tropics and require some consistent moisture. If you live in a dry climate with low humidity, you'll need to lightly mist the cage daily. If you live in a more humid environment, just mist the cage when the humidity level drops below 35-40 during the dry season.
Do you need to give Dubia roaches water? ›Roaches can survive weeks and sometimes months without food, but they can't live long without water. This is particularly true for the Dubia roach.
How often do you need to clean a Dubia roach colony? ›Cleaning. Dubia Roaches produce dry droppings called "frass". Their enclosures will need to be cleaned every 1-2 weeks to reduce buildup of frass and shed exo-skeletons. It's useful to have an extra enclosure when cleaning.
Can Dubia roaches cause infestation? ›
Can Dubia roaches infest your house? It's highly unlikely. Setting up your own colony of Dubia roaches is a great idea if you want to maintain a supply of healthy food for your pets that eat insects.
Can I feed my bearded dragon only Dubia roaches instead of crickets? ›Dubia roaches are a great option for providing animal protein to insect-eating pet lizards. They have so many advantages over crickets. Owners of bearded dragons or any other insect-eating lizard would be wise to choose dubia roaches, which are easier to care for, less smelly, and healthier for the lizard.
What if Dubia roaches are too big for bearded dragons? ›If you find your dubias are too large for your reptile, you can shrink them by restricting water and food for a few days or even a week. This process won't harm them as dubia roaches are notorious for going up to 2 weeks without water and a month without food.
How long can Dubia roaches live without food? ›Dubia Roach Shipping
They can go a month or more without food or water, they prefer darkness and small spaces, and they thrive in low oxygen environments – all things they may encounter during shipping. Dubia roaches usually survive shipping and arrive alive and healthy at their final destination.
We estimate that females give birth to about 25 nymphs in the conditions common to home Dubia roach colonies. The actual number may be more or less, but 25 is a reasonable average. They repeat this every 65 days.
What foods are toxic to Dubia roaches? ›- Cat food, dog food, and meats. Roaches are naturally high in protein. ...
- Anything rotting or moldy. Be sure to clean out anything the roaches don't consume within 48 hours to prevent rotting or mold growth.
Dubia cockroaches can be fed a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables but do not feed head lettuce. Instead stick with romaine and other leafy greens, as they are more nutritious.
Can I feed Dubia roaches grapes? ›In addition to roach chow, you should provide your Dubias with a regular source of fruits and vegetables. This will make your roaches happier and healthier, as they are accustomed to getting some flora in their diet. Carrots are a great choice, as are apples, grapes, oranges, and bananas.
Do Dubia roaches hate light? ›Cockroaches do not avoid light because it harms them. In fact, it's only because they are unable to hide or evade predators when they are in open sight. For this reason, they will not dare to venture out when the light has been turned on in your home.
Do Dubia roaches need heat at night? ›To recap, here are a few things that you DON'T want in your new Dubia colony. Don't use a heat lamp for a heat source, as Dubias are nocturnal and won't respond well to the light. Make sure there are no other bugs or animals in your plastic storage bin before you introduce your Dubias.
Do Dubia roaches like the dark? ›
Another safe option to keep your dubias hydrated is water crystals or gel. These products can be found at most pet stores. Temperature – Dubia cockroaches thrive in dark, humid environments.
Why are all my Dubia roaches dying? ›Heat. Heat, or the lack of it may contribute to a die-off. Constant temperatures well below or sometimes even a little too high can cause major problems for Dubia roaches. They generally like temperatures between 80ºF and 85ºF, and maybe approaching 90ºF.
How long does it take for a Dubia roach to be full grown? ›It takes a newly hatched Dubai roach, also known as a nymph, 3 to 4 months to grow to maturity or breeding size. Each female roach only produces about 25 nymphs per breeding cycle.
How long can Dubia roaches go without water? ›I have had dubia survive 2 weeks without water. I put a few mid sized in a container just to separate them to feed them off, my girlfriend placed them in a closet and i forgot all about them came back about 2 weeks later and they were all still alive.
What is the lifespan of a Dubia roach? ›Lifespan: Dubia Roaches are long-lived: males usually live 12-18 months while females may live up to 2 years. Compare this to the average 9-week lifespan of crickets and the tendency of mealworms to morph into beetles within a month and become inedible.
Can Dubia roaches chew through plastic? ›As noted below, Dubia roaches can chew through fiberglass screen, so use metal screen if you expect the roaches might reach it. Fiberglass or plastic is fine if you're sure they will never reach it, and if for some reason they did, it wouldn't matter terribly if they chewed holes in it.
What are the little black bugs in with my Dubia roaches? ›Mites seem to be much more common in Dubia roach colonies kept around 60% humidity and above, and it seems that the higher the humidity, the more mites become a factor. Also consider that geography influences the likelihood of mite infestation in captive roach colonies.
What happens if a Dubia roach bites you? ›They don't attack or bite
Dubia roaches won't attack, bite, or otherwise harass you or your animals. Darkling beetles may nibble on resting reptiles or arachnids. They may even try eating their fellow food bowl mates. Mealworms can devour crickets alive and crickets bite with powerful jaws.
Whatever you choose to feed your dragon, consider making Dubia roaches a regular part of your beardie's diet. The Dubia roach is an excellent choice for babies, juvies, and adult dragons alike. They love this tasty and nutritious treat, and you'll love how easy it is to keep them compared to other feeder insects.
What is better dubia roaches or crickets? ›Dubia Roaches are a Great Source of Protein
While crickets do have more protein and less fat than most other feeders, Dubia roaches are far superior. They are high in calcium in addition to having more protein than crickets, and they also have a lower fat content.
Are dubia roaches easier to keep alive than crickets? ›
This is much more of a problem with crickets because they have a much shorter lifespan than Dubia roaches (9 weeks as compared to 2 years) and they dehydrate more easily, especially when young. Well cared for roaches will live longer. Even when they die, roach keepers find that they don't smell bad like crickets.
Are roaches healthy for bearded dragons? ›Some common bugs and insects to feed your dragon include earthworms, cockroaches, silkworms, crickets, and roaches. Out of the list of options the most popular feeder insects are crickets and dubia roaches.
What happens if you have too many male Dubia roaches? ›Too many males
Your breeding colony contains captive roaches that can't escape colony problems, and males can stress an entire colony with their aggression. Of course, stress can also reduce productivity.
They can be fattened up by feeding, grown out over days or weeks, or fed to animals as-is. As we've mentioned, Dubia roaches that are too large can be “shrunk” by withholding food and water for a short time. Just as their bodies elongate when they eat, they retract when they're hungry.
What makes Dubia roaches grow faster? ›The conditions really need to be extreme for them to change. Some of the factors that may increase the rate at which Dubia roaches complete instars or increase the number of instars if they are extreme enough are low temperatures, poor diet, starvation, low humidity, injury, and an increase in daylight hours.
Can you feed Dubia roaches strawberries? ›Feeding strawberries to dubia roaches
Strawberries possess a multitude of vitamins such as vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants; great for humans and roaches too! I personally love strawberries and enjoy eating a nice handful as often as possible.
Separating nymphs from adults is common practice among Dubia breeders. The idea is that removing nymphs from breeding colonies reduces resource competition and leads to happier, healthier, and importantly – more productive roaches.
How big is a full grown Dubia roach? ›Blaptica dubia, the Dubia roach, orange-spotted roach, Guyana spotted roach, or Argentinian wood roach, is a medium-sized species of cockroach which grows to around 40–45 mm (1.6–1.8 in).
What temperature do Dubia roaches like? ›80º-90º F is the optimal temperature for breeding Dubia roaches. Food & Water Supplies - Dubia breeding requires fuel! Make sure that you are providing adequate nutrition and water to your Dubia roach breeders. Thermometer - This will allow you to maintain the optimal breeding temperature for your colony.
Can I feed my bearded dragon Dubia roaches instead of crickets? ›Dubia roaches are a great option for providing animal protein to insect-eating pet lizards. They have so many advantages over crickets. Owners of bearded dragons or any other insect-eating lizard would be wise to choose dubia roaches, which are easier to care for, less smelly, and healthier for the lizard.
Should Dubia roaches be refrigerated? ›
DO NOT REFRIGERATE YOUR ROACHES! Dubia roaches are a tropical species; they will suffer and eventually die if kept in your refrigerator. Room temperature, and up to 85ºF, is ideal. Also, keep your roaches out of direct sunlight or artificial lights.
Will Dubia roaches infest my house? ›Can Dubia roaches infest your house? It's highly unlikely. Setting up your own colony of Dubia roaches is a great idea if you want to maintain a supply of healthy food for your pets that eat insects.
Do Dubia roaches need a water dish? ›Roaches can survive weeks and sometimes months without food, but they can't live long without water. This is particularly true for the Dubia roach.
Do Dubia roaches need darkness? ›Dubia roaches need humidity to be able to molt, which they do about seven times throughout their lifetime. No special lighting is needed for dubia roaches, but they do require warmer temperatures. Ideal temperature range is between 75-95 degrees, especially if you plan to breed them.
Do you need to dust Dubia roaches? ›Dubia roaches don't have a particularly low Ca:P. ratio. In fact, relative to other feeder insects it's pretty high, but dusting or a gutload with calcium is still advised.
What is better Dubia roaches or crickets? ›Dubia Roaches are a Great Source of Protein
While crickets do have more protein and less fat than most other feeders, Dubia roaches are far superior. They are high in calcium in addition to having more protein than crickets, and they also have a lower fat content.
This is much more of a problem with crickets because they have a much shorter lifespan than Dubia roaches (9 weeks as compared to 2 years) and they dehydrate more easily, especially when young. Well cared for roaches will live longer. Even when they die, roach keepers find that they don't smell bad like crickets.
What temperature kills Dubia roaches? ›When temperatures are near or below freezing, they will die. Escaped Dubia roaches seek warmth, darkness, and moisture. In addition to being cold intolerant, they cannot survive high heat. They will die if the temperature stays above 95°F for too long – especially if humidity is low.
What can Dubia roaches not eat? ›Avoid high protein foods such as dog or cat food and meat, since Dubia roaches convert excess protein into uric acid which can harm the reptiles that eat them. The most effective way to provide water is by using water crystals, a polymer based material that holds water.
What are the tiny bugs in my Dubia roach colony? ›Mites seem to be much more common in Dubia roach colonies kept around 60% humidity and above, and it seems that the higher the humidity, the more mites become a factor. Also consider that geography influences the likelihood of mite infestation in captive roach colonies.