Had Some Dubia Escape

[DragonLady]

I was given a well started dubia colony about three weeks ago. Since hubby said there was no way I could have roaches in the house, these are now "beetle bugs." Anyway, they are in a bin with a screen cover (middle of bin top cut out and screen hot-glued to the top). The black heat bulb that came with it burned out and I replaced it with a 100 watt one. Evidently that was too hot as I went in to do my misting/feeding, etc. this morning and the screen had come unglued and had fallen into the bin, along with the light. Needless to say, I was late for work as I was crawling around the room scooping up dubias. I have no idea if I got them all, but hubby is going to freak if he sees one. I told him my beetles had a mishap and not to get mad if he sees a really ugly bug scurring around. But I do have a question. Since they are heat seeking bugs, if I've missed one (or two) will they die without the heat and NOT multiply in my house? I am in so much trouble if they do! Thanks.

 

[jojackson]

I would guess that unless your house is freezing, they will not only survive but thrive.
Probably they will seek out warmth, wherever that be.....check your bed at night!
MMwwaaaaaahhhhh! (sinister laugh)
Seriously though, they may not breed in cooler ambient temps, thats a bonus....till spring.
They may seek a source of heat & food, so you may discover them wherever you keep the rest.
Is hubby the kind to jump on a chair and say "EEEk Kill it, kill it!" ?

 

[Syn]

Release the spiders! I had some dubia nymphs escape, and the small room I had them in had suddenly become almost infested with spiders.
I moved the dubia to another bin and room and removed the spiders to outside (I love spiders, too!) We have had warm days, and I have not seen any dubia.

But let's wait until summer.. LOL

 

[Brad Ramsey]

They will not take over your house.
These are not an infesting species. You may see a survivor at some point, but they won't last long.
Try putting some food out and checking at night.

-Brad

 

[DragonLady]

They will not take over your house.
These are not an infesting species. You may see a survivor at some point, but they won't last long.
Try putting some food out and checking at night.

-Brad

Thank you SO much. You have no idea how relieved I am. I had horrible visions in my head of having to call an exterminator! I did find one large male last night - the cat had him cornered - but have not found any more. Hopefully I got them all.

Thanks again.

 

[draetish]

I was given a well started dubia colony about three weeks ago. Since hubby said there was no way I could have roaches in the house, these are now "beetle bugs." Anyway, they are in a bin with a screen cover (middle of bin top cut out and screen hot-glued to the top). The black heat bulb that came with it burned out and I replaced it with a 100 watt one. Evidently that was too hot as I went in to do my misting/feeding, etc. this morning and the screen had come unglued and had fallen into the bin, along with the light. Needless to say, I was late for work as I was crawling around the room scooping up dubias. I have no idea if I got them all, but hubby is going to freak if he sees one. I told him my beetles had a mishap and not to get mad if he sees a really ugly bug scurring around. But I do have a question. Since they are heat seeking bugs, if I've missed one (or two) will they die without the heat and NOT multiply in my house? I am in so much trouble if they do! Thanks.

I'm so glad you posted this, I just bought a colony and my hubby doesn't even know they're in the house...yet. I've been trying to find the right time to tell him. You made my day!

 

[Chamero]

I once had a baby dubia escape from the feeding cup. I looked everywhere on and off for about 3 days with no luck.

I figured he would die to so I eventually just gave up.

About 6 months later, as I was digging through the chameleon supplies to get some of my dry cricket food, I see him.

One huge dubia living in the bottom of the carrying box. He had bit a hole through the bottom of both the box and bag and had been surviving off of the food for months.

I was both very surprised and amazed at the same time.

These guys are extremely resourceful and always go to the nearest food.

P.s. I fed him to my chameleon

 

[nick barta]

I place a lid of food and and water crystals by an egg crate. They move into the Hilton, and then I move them back to their enclosure.

Nick