Quick question about housing dubias and silks

[Jasonl512]

My first post on these forums but I have to say, I've already learned so much and you guys seem really informative. I am planning on breeding some dubias for my Panther. I plan on keeping them in my office closet. Like many of you I am keeping them in a Tupperware bin. I keep my house at 75 degrees. I was wondering if a zoo med reptitherm heat pad 18x8 would be sufficient for the temps I need for breeding and if it will melt the container. I was also wondering the same if I used a small one for the shoe Tupperware container I plan on keeping my silks in. Also, can I keep the silks in the closet with my roaches or do they need light for some reason? I've heard some people from other sources say "they wouldn't" use the heat pads with the plastic but I want an answer from someone who's tried it.

Thanks-Jason

 

[Jasonl512]

One more question haha, I haven't received my Panther yet (named him Ezio already) but he is 8 months old from what the breeder I bought him from told me. Is 1/2" roaches ok for him or too small? It's hard to say because I havnt received him yet so I don't exactly know how big he is.

 

[Viv]

If you get a thermostat with your heat pad you should be fine. Heat pads are designed to let out a gentle heat andheat up items in their way rather than heating the air around them. They shouldn't burn your tub unless they malfunction... but if they do and you have a thermostat it will cut power to the mat before anything bad happens.

People use heatmats with plastic RUBs all the time for snakes.

Silkworms do not need light but some breeders say sunlight does speed up hatching.

 

[Lazy Boy]

I use a seedling starter mat found at most hydro and home improvement stores. Max temp is like 90f and larger them most UTH so you just plug it in and walk away.

 

[Jasonl512]

I got the heat mats from Amazon. I wasn't sure if a thermostat would be necessary but for safety reasons it's a good idea. Thanks!

 

[Craig94089]

My dubias bred after 4 weeks with no special setup at room temp of 75'ish. I do have a heat mat on the plastic container but it can get pretty hot so I only plug it in if temps drop significantly and only when I am home. Thermostat highly recommended.

Leaving them alone is key from my limited experience. The heat should help speed sexy time up. Dubias are so much easier than crickets...I made a noob mistake leaving the cham cage open because my boy climbed on my hand and I had a mass exodus of feeders while trying to entertain Jaeger. After 3 days I am still trying to find my last anoying chirping cricket.