roach colony questions.

[prizefighter]

I've decided to start a dubia roach colony. I noticed that most sites sell a breeding option with 10 females and 5 males for between 20-30$. For the same price you can buy 100-200 mixed sixe roaches. What's the deal with this? If I order the 100-200 roaches will it also be mixed sex or will it all be male or female, surely these roach suppliers aren't going to sift through their colonies and hand pick out 100 males or a 100 females... do they?

Next question. If I decide to pay extra for the guaranteed male/female option is there any reason to pay even extra for more than the 10/5 ratio? Thanks.

 

[junglefries]

I was advised to start out with 6 females and 3 males of the orange heads. Bred pretty quickly. Medium growth rate. The males are usually sold first by breeders, since they don't produce babies. The males can mate earlier and easier also. Being that it is simple to sex, they probably would send you a lot of males. If you start out with mixed, you can feed some. The trick is to wait long enough for young ones to grow to adult and mate. Depends on your immediate needs vs future needs.

 

[bobcochran]

Dubias

When you buy the quantity you get a lot of immature roaches which are not as easily sexed, so you have to wait for them to reproduce. All things being equal you should get somewhere around a 50/50 mix. When you buy mature you want more females than males for the obvious reasons. But you have to be aware that breeders can send you adult roaches that are close to the end of their productive time so you don't get that many offspring. If you have the time and money I would get some of both.

 

[prizefighter]

Thanks for the reply bobcochran, that sounds like good advice, I will order both.

 

[Olimpia]

I want to echo Bobcochran too, I think that usually you get adult roaches and they don't live that much longer, since you can't know how long they've been adults, or alive in general. With nymphs at least you know they're only about 1-3 months old and that you have about a year of potential breeding life.

 

[prizefighter]

Thanks guys... another question. I live in Texas and was thinking I might be able to keep the colonies in my garage. I might have to keep a heat pad on them nov-jan, but the rest of the year the inside temp of the garage shouldn't drop below 70-75. My question though is can the roaches survive and breed during the summer months where the inside temperature of the garage could reach up to 110-115. Humidity were I live is very high so if they can survive the heat, the conditions in my garage would be great.

 

[junglefries]

Different roaches have temp differences. Which kind are you planning on?

 

[Devokid]

Thanks guys... another question. I live in Texas and was thinking I might be able to keep the colonies in my garage. I might have to keep a heat pad on them nov-jan, but the rest of the year the inside temp of the garage shouldn't drop below 70-75. My question though is can the roaches survive and breed during the summer months where the inside temperature of the garage could reach up to 110-115. Humidity were I live is very high so if they can survive the heat, the conditions in my garage would be great.

I have found that my dubias do best right around 100. 70-75 is too low. They will become very lethargic at those temps. 115 will make them speed up their lives, but shouldn't kill them.

 

[Devokid]

Another thing that you may want to look at is your local classified section. I know that near me there is a guy who sells mediums for around 5 cents and Large/Adults for 10 cents each, so that is a MUCH better deal than any of the mail order places.

 

[prizefighter]

Im planning on dubia roaches. So even if it gets up to 115 they should be good? Ill have heat pads ready for the winter, but like I said I don't think it will be necessary most of the year.

 

[Saldarya]

My Dubia sit on heat tape set at 115, so likely around 105 in the bottom of the container. Those temps are fine. Where in Texas are you, I may be able to set you up with a large starter colony. PM me if you want.

 

[Yowzercham]

Hey I'm in Texas too,,, I kept my roaches in the house in the winter and they are on the porch all summer. I got a mixed lot in sept and the babies keep on coming. Only problem is the nasty German roaches will move in with the Dubai. I love Dubai and handle them but hate the other roaches. Make sure your enclosure is roach proof... I don't know how to separate them!

 

[ChameleonLady]

Texas here too . I live near Houston.