Breeding Dubia Roaches - A Complete Guide
Complete Guide to Breeding Dubia Roaches
Breeding Dubia roaches (Blaptica dubia) is a rewarding process, especially for those who need a sustainable feeder insect for reptiles, amphibians, or birds. Here's a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help you breed and maintain a thriving Dubia roach colony.
To start a healthy Dubia roach colony, you'll want a good balance of both males and females to ensure breeding. Here's a general guideline based on colony size and growth:
Minimum Colony Size:
Generally we recommend that you start with at least 30 Adult Dubia Roaches (10 Female, 20 Male) although aiming for 100+ Adults with a 3:1 Ratio of Male to Female is far better for getting your colony established faster.
We also recommend that you also include smaller Dubia roaches into your new colony. Why? Because it helps the colony become established far more rapidly. Dubia Roaches take around 5 month to develop from a new Nymph to a matured breeding adult so it makes sense to include some Dubias which are well on their way through this process.
Growth Over Time:
Dubia roaches breed quickly, so after a few months, you should see your colony growing and producing nymphs (young roaches).
if you follow the steps below, you can easily expect your Dubia numbers to explode into the thousands within 12 months.
1. Setting Up the Enclosure
Choosing the Right Container
A secure, escape-proof enclosure is critical for breeding Dubia roaches. They are skilled climbers, so make sure the enclosure has smooth sides to prevent them from crawling out.
you'll need to create a shelter/home for them. This shelter needs to tick the following boxes.
-
- Size - We recommend a storage tub + lid with a volume of around 60L
- Smooth-Sided - this will prevent your Dubia Roaches from being able to climb up and escape, no one wants that!
- Darkness- even though clear containers are perfectly fine, Dubia Roaches are far more active in darker environments. because of this we recommend that you find a black container.
- Moisture Resistant - You'll want the container to be manufactured using material that is robust and resistant to wear and tear, such as plastics etc.
- Ventilated - Dubia Roaches need their environment to be well ventilated, the easiest way to achieve this is by cutting a hole in the lid of the container (around 20cm x 20cm will be fine). Once the hole is cut you'll need to cover it with a nylon mesh to prevent any escapees who somehow manage to climb up.
- Living Space within the container - Dubia Roaches need a place to crawl, hide, explore and socialize in for them to be able to thrive. Luckily we have the perfect affordable solution, Cardboard Egg Trays.
- Food Bowl - We recommend that you use a regular plastic Cat/Dog bowl, but you'll need to scuff the surface up to enable the Dubia Roaches to climb up and down the slippery surface to gain access to their food/water. This can easily be achieved with a bit of sand paper and some elbow grease. Ensure the bowl surface has completely been roughened up.
2. Ideal Temperature & Humidity
Temperature
Dubia roaches thrive in warm environments. The ideal temperature range for breeding is 80°F to 95°F (27°C to 35°C). Higher temperatures will speed up reproduction rates and overall colony growth.
Heat Source: Use a heat mat, heat lamp, or ceramic heat emitter to maintain temperature. The heat source should be placed on one side of the enclosure to create a temperature gradient (warm side and cool side).
Avoid: Temperatures below 70°F (21°C) will slow down the roaches' metabolism, making breeding less effective.
Introducing a heat source for the Dubia Roaches is very easy to achieve, generally most people will use either a heat mat, ceramic heat emitters or a light bulbs.
Please follow the manufacturers operation instructions, warnings etc when using additional heat sources, and we strongly recommend that you never put it directly inside the enclosure.
You can keep track and control the enclosures temperatures by using an adjustable reptile thermostat. Do not allow the temperature to rise above 95 degrees Fahrenheit as this will stress the Dubias out and potentially drastically shorten their life. Always allow for a corner of the enclosure to be away from a direct heat source so that the Dubia Roaches can cool off if they need to.
Humidity
Roaches need a moderate humidity level of 40-60%. Too little humidity can dry them out, while too much can cause mold and other problems.
Humidity Tools: A water dish with a sponge or cotton ball is a safe way to provide moisture without risk of drowning. Alternatively, you can use water crystals (geled water) or mist the enclosure lightly.
Monitoring: Use a hygrometer to keep track of humidity levels. If it gets too high, allow more ventilation or reduce misting.
3. Providing Hiding Spaces & Enrichment
Dubia roaches are nocturnal and need plenty of places to hide during the day. Without hiding spaces, they will feel stressed, and reproduction rates may decrease.
Hiding Spots: Use cardboard egg crates, toilet paper rolls, cork bark, or artificial plants. These provide vertical surfaces for climbing and give roaches plenty of places to hide. The more cluttered the habitat, the more secure the roaches will feel, and the better they will breed.
Dubia Roaches prefer a stable environment with little fluctuations in temperature, this means that they are best located within the house and away from areas such as conservatories etc. They also prefer to be away from direct sunlight as they crave darkness.
4. Feeding the Roaches
Dubia Roaches can almost eat anything, they are a cockroach after all. However, the goal here is for them to be gut-loaded and consumed by your pet, and your pet has specific nutritional needs. Whatever the Dubia eats is then transferred to your beloved pet.
Nutrition
A healthy diet is crucial for the successful breeding of Dubia roaches. They are omnivores and require a balanced mix of protein, fruits, vegetables, and fiber.
Vegetables: Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, zucchini, and bell peppers.
Fruits: Apples, bananas, oranges, strawberries, and watermelon (use in moderation due to sugar content).
Roach Chow: Roach Chow is incredibly high on all the nutritional values in which they need to thrive as a colony.
Water: Instead of providing a standing water bowl (which can lead to drowning), use water crystals (gelled water), moistened sponges, or soaked cotton balls to provide hydration.
Too little food - If the bowl is completely empty when you come to do the next feeding session the following day then gradually increase the quantity supplied in the food bowl until they can no longer consume all of it by the next night.
Too much food - if the bowl still has food left over when you come to do the next feeding session then reduce the quantity of food supplied in the food bowl until there is pretty much no leftovers by the next night.
Feeding Tips
Always remove uneaten food within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Keep food fresh and rotate through varieties to avoid nutritional deficiencies.
Do not feed them anything that contains high protein levels, such as Dog/Cat food & Meats etc. This could potentially be very harmful to your pet.
5. Breeding Process
Sexing Dubia Roaches
Before breeding, it’s essential to identify males and females. Here's how:
Males: Smaller than females, with long, fully developed wings. Males will often “pursue” females, and their behavior may include displaying their wings or attempting to mate.
Females: Larger than males with shorter, stubby wings that don't cover their abdomen. They have a visible ovipositor (a small protrusion used for egg laying).
Introducing the Breeding Pairs
Ideal Ratio: Aim for about 1 male to 3-5 females for optimal breeding success. Too many males can cause aggression, while too few may reduce mating opportunities.
Mating Process: Mating usually occurs during the night. Once mated, females can produce multiple egg cases, known as oothecae, without needing to mate again.
Egg Case Development
Oothecae: Female Dubia roaches carry their eggs in an ootheca, which looks like a small brown case. A single ootheca can contain 30-40 eggs.
Gestation: The female holds the ootheca for about 30 days, after which she will either deposit it in the enclosure or hold it until it’s ready to hatch. She may carry several oothecae at once.
6. Hatching and Nymph Care
Hatching Time: The egg case typically hatches in 1-2 months under optimal conditions (warm temperatures). Nymphs (baby roaches) are pale at first and darken as they mature.
Nymphs: These small, white nymphs will molt several times before reaching adulthood. They can take 5-6 months to grow into fully mature roaches, depending on temperature and food availability.
Caring for Nymphs
Provide tiny food pieces like mashed fruits, vegetables, and moist sponge for the nymphs. Avoid feeding them large pieces until they’re big enough.
Molting: The nymphs will shed their exoskeleton as they grow. Ensure there’s enough space to prevent overcrowding during molting.
7. Maintaining a Healthy Colony
Cleaning the Habitat
Regular cleaning is essential to maintain a healthy and productive colony.
Although hard to believe and against popular belief, Dubia Roaches are incredibly clean and easy to care for. You'll only need to clean their enclosure once every month or two, here's how we recommend to do it.
We strongly recommend this is done in a very well ventilated area as Dubia Roach poop (Frass) can cause skin irritations and allergic reactions
Remove Old Food: Dispose of any uneaten food every 24-48 hours.
Clean Feces: Roach droppings can accumulate, and a build-up of waste can create unsanitary conditions. Scrub the walls and floor of the enclosure every couple of weeks.
Check for Mold: Keep humidity levels in check to avoid mold growth, which can be harmful to the colony.
Overcrowding can stress the colony, leading to fighting, cannibalism, and slower growth rates.
Culling: Remove any roaches that seem unhealthy or deceased
8. Harvesting Dubia Roaches
When your colony is thriving, you’ll be able to harvest roaches for feeding purposes or sell them.
Selective Harvesting: Use a roach trap or hand-pick mature adults. Always leave enough roaches behind to ensure continued breeding.
Handling: If using for feeders, remove only the roaches that are large enough to be eaten by your pets.
9. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Slow Breeding or No Eggs
Temperature: Ensure that your enclosure is warm enough. Below 80°F will slow down reproduction.
Feeding: Make sure they have enough food and water. A lack of nutrition can halt reproduction.
Stress: If your roaches feel overcrowded or insecure, they may stop breeding. Check the habitat for hiding spaces and reduce stressors.
Humidity: Mold is usually a result of too much humidity. Reduce misting and increase ventilation if necessary.
Food Rot: Remove uneaten food regularly to prevent decay and bad smells.
Roaches Escape: Check the enclosure for gaps or holes. Ensure the lid is secure and that the sides of the tank are smooth.
Conclusion
Breeding Dubia roaches is a simple process if you provide the right environment, food, and care. By ensuring the proper temperature, humidity, and nutritional needs are met, you can create a thriving colony that will provide a constant supply of healthy roaches for feeding your pets or for other purposes. With patience, you'll soon have a steady and sustainable source of Dubia roaches!