Roaches?????

[snowliz]

I know that some people feed roaches verses crickets....

What I would like to know is what kind are best and where to get them.
I want something that doesn't stink like crickets, doesn't fly, and are easy to breed. Also something that my geckos will eat.

I am tired of always having to buy crickets and when they get here half of them are dead. And they smell aweful in my little appartment.
Thanks.

[Chandler Rep]

I use B. dubia roaches (and they breed really really well).....they are good all around feeders....not to small and not to quick....they are pricey compared to some of the other feeder roaches but they are the best that I have used....

The only problem you will have is the roaches will burrow in your planted tanks...they don't stay out in the open like the crickets....

My crested and gargs eat them like they are candy and even some of the leos I used to have would eat them from time to time....the tarantulas love them....

If you decide you want some give me a shout I can hook you up with a good starter colony cheaper than what you find online probably....

[snowliz]

I will pm you with details but figure I should ask my questions on here incase someone else wants to know also.

Is it a problem that they burrow in the substrate?
Will they hurt the cresteds like crickets will?
What do they eat and how do you provide water.

Obviously I'm interested....lol

On a side note my froggys must be happy because they are sure croaking up a storm right now.

[Chandler Rep]

the burrowing is fine but the crested geckos can't eat them if they are hiding...they should all come out at the same time at night so some will be eaten but not all of them...you can also cut banana or some kale in the tank and it will draw the roaches out...

I don't feel they are as much of a threat like crickets...crickets are just evil....lol

I feed my roaches ground high quality dog food mixed with soy protein....they like it alot and I am happy with the result of it...

Water I use crystals that I just soak in water then add to a dish in the container with them....

Also when you get ready to clean the container you house them in you can give them all the left over veggies in the icebox...they eat it all and seem to like it all....I only clean my roaches every 6 months with no issues...not much smell if you don't let the food get wet...

I do like to keep my roaches on heat....I used to keep them at 100 degrees on the floor of the container and they bred like mad, I have since turned that into about 80 degrees and they still breed just not as much but I am only feeding a few adult gargs and cresties and some inverts so I don't need them all as often as when I had the dragons....

[snowliz]

Thanks. Sounds simple enough. Actually sounds easier than trying to keep crickets alive.

[cougardude]

ya there good thats what i mostly use wich remindes me i need more

[Chandler Rep]

ya there good thats what i mostly use wich remindes me i need more

I'll trade you some for some bamboo.....:bounce:

[cougardude]

I'll trade you some for some bamboo.....:bounce:

as soon as i get the boat out to get to it yard look like a river right now hope to dig some up this weekend

[snowliz]

I know I've "got it bad" as the saying goes, When I get excited about getting roaches...lol

Now to go to the pet shops in town and see if I can get some crickets to get me thu. That will be the first thing on the agenda tomorrow. :)

[AneesasMuse]

Yep, Dubias are my favorite feeder roach out of all my colonies ..Lateralis, Lobsters and Hissers are the others.

The way I avoid diggers ...I put the dusted roaches in little clear plastic or glass bowls ...the Cresteds and everyone else can still see them ..and the roaches can't get out. If the bowl gets knocked over ..and it does, occasionally... the lizard or whatever is right there and eats them! Works for us!

Now Tank, on the otherhand, well... that boy has his own personal little breeding colony inside his Cork Tube ..when I see that thing rolling and getting shoved and tossed around, I know he's catchin' bugs! :pound:

[snowliz]

Thanks Bonnie,

They got here today and just in time...lol
My cresteds are hungry.

[Damnitbonnie]

They didn't breed well at first but I put an UTH heater on the tank and covered the sides and they just took off. Good luck. Hope those eggs hatch lots of babies for you.

[snowliz]

I have a UTH going and should probably cover the sides tonight. I went to the pet shop that is suposed to be open til 6 to get some but for some reason they were closed. I will have to have my mom pic some up for me tomorrow.