New dubia colony

[ilovebeardies]

Ok, so I ordered a Dubia colony 5 females 1 male and a mix of nymphs they should be coming in within the next few days. I want to get there tank set up. I am trying to figure out what to use as a heat source.

Would maybe a zilla heat mat under one side be enough to promote breeding?

Also I have a 10gal. Tank with metal screen lid. Would that be sufficient or can they still escape?
any additional info or suggestions would be amazing!

 

[sean8172]

I have found the best thing to use is a heat mat, and a "night" heat light. I would say cover the metal top (if you want to go cheap you can cut a cardboard box and tape it to it). You'll want cut holes in each side of the top for ventilation, and one for a light, if you choose to use one. They'll breed best at 90-100° or more, so just the mat mat not be enough. Keep in mind, they'll breed at anything above room temperature, but hotter is better.

If you don't ever plan on using the tank for anything else, spray paint all of the glass black, or encase it in something (like the aforementioned cardboard, or insulation). They love to be in darkness, so the darker the better.

Also, expect to wait a while for them to breed. It could be six months to a year before you can regularly feed off the colony. You could also get super lucky and have 30 babies from each female every month. Don't count on it though. ;-)

Here's a visual of a painted one.

You'll want to put holes on the left and right of the cardboard. They don't have to be huge. Maybe 2".

Here's one with the insulation.

If you seal it for heat retention, or darkness, just make darn sure you provide good ventilation. If you don't, you can literally suffocate them. I know this from experience. I killed a colony of about 4,000 the first time I wrapped a tank in insulation.

Hope this helps.

 

[ilovebeardies]

Thank you very helpful!

 

[sean8172]

You're quite welcome!

 

[ilovebeardies]

Got my starter colony today! I am using a storage tote right now because im worried the babies could crawl up the silicon of my 10 gallon tank. Ordered from east coast roaches I got about 6 maybe 7 females and 2 males a hundred mixed nymphs 8 egg crates, 1 pound of roach chow,4 oz. Of water crystals for 50.00 bucks free shipping. Cheapest I've found so far!

 

[sean8172]

Sounds like a pretty good deal. Get some packaging tape and put it around the top of the tote. Make sure it's good and on there. The babies might me able to climb the tote, but they won't be able to climb the tape. They'll slide down it.

 

[timbalan]

I have mine in a rubbermaid tote with a square cut out in the middle hot glued some screen to it and ive never had a problem with escapees. I actually have 2 of the totes now one for breeding and one for feeding

 

[ilovebeardies]

I poked small holes in it, I don't have any screen at the moment for it

 

[ilovebeardies]

I crafted my own dubia tub I put metal screening on top so I could use a heat lamp.

 

[timbalan]

Looks just like mine do. Works perfect

 

[ilovebeardies]

Just ordered 200 small dubias to add and 50 medium I also got 500 superworms all for 22 bucks including shipping!

 

[Elemental Dragon Lord]

Nice deal.

 

[ilovebeardies]

Yes! I'm trying to get my colony bigger even if they are only nymphs. Right now my main feeder is supers because they are so cheap in bulk! Plus my guys and gals love them!

 

[sean8172]

The good news is... nymphs will grow into adults

 

[sean8172]

Once you can tell gender, make sure you feed out males first. You want more females than males. They will fight literally to the death over territory, and females. There is no "perfect" balance, but one male for every three females is good.

 

[ilovebeardies]

Will do I have only a couple large nymphs I don't know how long it takes for them to mature though

 

[sean8172]

They take about six months to be fully grown.

 

[ilovebeardies]

Oh cool!

 

[sean8172]

It's either six months or a year to reach maturity, then they only live about six more months for breeding.

 

[ilovebeardies]

Well I hope they start breeding soon!