Many people find greater benefits in breeding Dubia Roaches at home than purchasing them from a local pet shop. And indeed, there are many benefits attached to it. If done successfully, you’ll have a steady nutrient-rich diet to feed your exotic pets.
So if you’re thinking about building a Dubia colony of your own, there are a few things to keep in mind. This article explores some of those things in brief. This article explores some of those things in brief. For more information, you can consult experts like https://www.topflightdubia.com/dubia-roach-colony.
Things you'd need to get started
To start the project, you’d need the necessary things. This includes the bins, lids, lighting equipment, food bowl, foods, harborage, and a thermometer.
As another requirement, you’d have to buy a colony kit. It contains the female to male ratio of at least 3:1 or higher. So for every three females, there is one male, Dubia Roach. You must buy healthy ones that will breed into more Dubia Roaches.
You’d buy one bin for one colony. Do not build multiple colonies in a single bin; otherwise, this would cause male infighting. The containers should be escape-proof. If you’re using lids, make sure they have proper arrangements for air circulation.
Once you’ve gathered all the necessary tools, you can prepare the setup and set the Dubia Roaches free inside the container.
To ensure proper growth, you must take care of a few things like:
Heat
Studies have revealed that Dubia Roaches grow the best in a specific temperature range of 85 to 90 degrees F. You must maintain the temperature within this range. If you’re living in warm climatic conditions, there’s nothing to worry as slightly higher temperatures don’t bother these insects much. But do take appropriate measures for excessive heat, which can stress them out.
It’s the colder climates that affect their growth and fertility. You can use heating methods like heat emitters, heat mats, or room heaters to maintain the proper temperature. If you can use a thermostat, that’s even better.
Lighting arrangements
It’s worth mentioning that light greatly influences Dubia Roach’s behavior. If exposed to too much light, they’ll suffer from light stress, affecting their procreation.
For the best breeding results, you should follow the 12/12 light/dark cycle. So the insects should spend 12 hours of their day in lights and the rest in darkness.
But you can increase the darkness time, and they’d be okay. So a dark closet with a light bulb as a light source is better than, say, your rooftop shade.
Food & water supply
You’d have to place multiple bowls inside of your bin to provide food and water to the roaches. In the future, you’ll have baby nymphs. Without proper access to food and water from time to time, they can die. Adult roaches can live up to a few days without food and water, but that’s what you’d want in the colony.
You can provide leafy green vegetables, fruits, grains, waste droppings, and occasionally meat as food. Plain water is sufficient for them to meet their water requirements.
Air Ventilation
Dubia Roaches would need a continuous supply of fresh air to thrive and survive. To create a proper air ventilation system, you should create a few holes in the bin lid and then seal it tightly. You can use metal screens if you feel like the insects are capable of reaching the lid.
It’s recommended that you don’t use the fiberglass window screen as a lid. These insects can chew them up and break free.
How to handle a dead dubia roach?
When breeding, you’ll notice that some insects will die after a few days and from time to time. The reasons can be varying. Whenever you spot a dead roach, you must dispose of it as soon as possible. Then, wash your hands thoroughly. After their death, they tend to emit roach poison, which can cause various problems to your skin.
How to choose a dubia roach colony kit?
As already mentioned, you’d have to purchase colony kits consisting of male and female Dubia Roaches. When purchasing the kit, you need to take care of the female to male ratio, which should be 3:1 or more. The more the number of females, the better it will be. It’s also essential to purchase the kit from a trusted supplier. The healthier the Dubia Roaches you release into the bin, the better the colony will be.
Building colonies of Dubia Roaches are a long-term investment and requires regular and continuous planning. If you’re unsure of anything, you should consult with an expert before making changes.
