I'm going to start my own colony of dubias, but have a few questions that I cannot find the answers to on caresheets. Will these guys attack/eat the gecko or lizard like crickets do if left in too long? Not that I have ever found. I've left some nymphs in and they've molted a time or two and I have never noticed any nibbling on my animals. Usually the nymphs just hide.
Does anyone know of any breeders that have adults for sale? (This seems improbable because of the cricket virus depleting everyone's dubia colonies) I bought my original colony from Ian at roachranch.com he is an AMAZING guy, spent 3 days answering all my questions in the worlds longest roach-related email chain. I also have bought from some on fauna. (go to the feeder section).
How many adult/large dubias can thrive in a large storage bin? A LOT. These guys, unlike crickets, can withstand a heavy, heavy population density, and like it. I can take some pictures of my colony, but I've got at least 500 adults and another 500 nymphs easy in a 64quart rubbermaid. I'll be ordering another 1000 nymphs. Whats interesting is the baby nymphs benefit from being with the adults because they eat their poop (frass) before eating regular food so you don't even want to clean the enclosure too often. I do 1x or 2x a year.
What is the best way to screen the top of a dubia bin? Cut out a square in the lid with scissors, use hot glue to put the screen in. Inside or outside it doesn't matter. I also went around the inside of the bin and put a layer of foil tape. They can't climb it. Sometimes, if the egg crates are stacked right or the babies get a static cling going they can reach the top.
Does anyone know the approximate time-span of the dubia life cycle between xsmall, small, med, large, adult? How long does it take a dubia to reach the large stage? Adult stage? Dubias take ..3-4 months to go from nymph to adult. I don't know the time between sizes though. Since I feed so heavily I've never actually bothered to check. They seem to molt slowly. I know the adults can live 12-14 months or something. I just started having dieoff of my original adults and my colony is 13 months old.
Ive had my colony going since Jan '10 and i will NEVER go back to another primary feeder. I supplement with mealworms but these roaches are AWESOME.
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