Recently I picked up some Dubia Roaches, and found out they were actually infested with carpet beetles, maggots and also gnats. I've tried to clean them, I sifted through them, cleaned their bucket, and also replaced their egg crates. But there is this awful smell coming from them. There seems to be a lot dying off, but I thought maybe that was because Ive stressed them out? So I've been taking out the dead bodies but there is still a smell. Does anyone know what the smell could be coming from? Or what i can do to get rid of it.
Dubia Roach Stench
- Thread starter bug.eva
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jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
The 'carpet' beetles I'm assuming are probably lesser darkling beetles, which people use as CuC for roaches sometimes. The flies/maggots are probably phorid flies attracted to the dying/dead roaches. Common occurrence when you get a large die off as they love rotting insects/meat. Try to figure out why the roaches are dying and keep removing the dead as fast as possible and that should solve the phorids(which can also bring on a smell if there's a lot).
Not saying this for certain, but seems like the most likely case.
Not saying this for certain, but seems like the most likely case.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
Stressing out roaches?
IDK.How humid is the colony? I had an infestation of phorid flies (don't recall any smell, but there may have been
), and narrowed it down to too much moisture. Drying things out got rid of the phorids, and I've had no problems since.Cinnamon mixed into the top soil of potted plants gets rid of soil/fungus gnats, but IDK what it might do to dubias or to reptiles that consumed dubias that consumed cinnamon. The archives weren't terribly helpful in this regard.
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
Cinnamon in large amounts, cassia cinnamon in particular, can cause liver problems. Seems to be a deterrent for many insects, don't know if it'd be a good idea or not. May be harmless in very small amounts.Stressing out roaches?
How humid is the colony? I had an infestation of phorid flies (don't recall any smell, but there may have been
Cinnamon mixed into the top soil of potted plants gets rid of soil/fungus gnats, but IDK what it might do to dubias or to reptiles that consumed dubias that consumed cinnamon. The archives weren't terribly helpful in this regard.
Agreed with letting things dry out more, and feed less for a while. Phorids are annoying, but harmless.
nightanole
Chameleon Enthusiast
Dead adults stink to high heaven if the cleaner crew doesnt work fast enough. I can smell em after a day or 2. My only advice is to "turn the soil" to keep it dry, and if its a small colony look for dead ones.
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Yes, I was looking into a cleaner crew but for as of now I do not have one. I just pick out the dead bodies as I see them.
The colony has not been too humid recently since I have been trying to clean it out. I believe it was the moisture that was making the situation worse.Stressing out roaches?
How humid is the colony? I had an infestation of phorid flies (don't recall any smell, but there may have been
Cinnamon mixed into the top soil of potted plants gets rid of soil/fungus gnats, but IDK what it might do to dubias or to reptiles that consumed dubias that consumed cinnamon. The archives weren't terribly helpful in this regard.
It's not a lesser darkling beetle im sure of that. Thank you for the information about the phorid flies, I did not even think of that!
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
If you’re keeping a colony you may want to consider keeping them is a soil/coco coir mix substrate and toss in some springtails and white dwarf isopods.
Thank you !
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
Do you happen to have a pic of the beetles?
Unfortunately i do not, since I already cleared my dubias of them. My parents actually farm mealworms so im sure its not a darkling beetle of any kind.
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
Not doubting you, but there are different beetles, like peanut, buffalo, etc.
I'll look into it, thanks so much for the help!
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
Hey! I just added 500 to my not-so-huge container with screened vents in the top. Was down to a meal's worth for each lizard (2). They smell like... dubias, which you can't really smell unless you take the lid off and stick your face in it.
I too have a large container, with quite a few holes, except i have anout 2,000 in there. (adults) The smaller ones are seperated into their own bin.
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