Which Roaches Have Advantages for Feeding Response?

[nick barta]

I just got done looking at an old thread which has been revived about the frustration of how to get Chameleons to strike at Dubia roaches without hand feeding them to the chameleon. Dubias are a slow moving roach, and lack of movement is the issue that makes them a less than ideal feeder IMO.

The 2 species I would recommend are faster moving, don't climb smooth surfaces, are more colorful, and have specific other advantages.

The Orange Head Roach (Eublaberus posticus) is longer and bulkier than the Dubia, and move faster.

The adult Red Runner Roach (Shelfordella lateralis) is faster than a cricket, a little bigger than an adult cricket, and has the advantage that the production rate is higher than Dubia or Orange Heads. Red Runners also give you tiny nymphs for small chameleons and amphibians.

Care sheets on both are on my webpage, fullthrottlefeeders.com.

CHEERS!

Nick

 

[jamest0o0]

OH all the way

 

[Scottsquatch]

I'm digging the roaches. I have EVERYTHING I could possibly need except the chams. Lol. The red runners creep me out a little. The are pretty quick and of the colonies I have, they remind me the most ofthe "vermin" roaches.

 

[nick barta]

Handle them inside a larger plastic tote, and escapees will be minimal.

 

[Scottsquatch]

Will do Nick. I have heard that they can infest, but others say no. What's your take on them?

 

[hopps31]

I am hoping you may be able to help @nick barta? I have tried both the Orange head and the red runners but could not handle the smell. I only had a few of the Orange heads but the defensive odor they put off was icky, and the red runners just in general smell funky, even my crickets smell better. I only had a few of each and had them in a larger bin as to not crowd them, maybe I did something wrong? I have not heard any one else mention a smell problem?? Do you know of any other roaches that are good feeders as well? I really want to stop crickets all together as the escapees and endless chirping is driving me nuts My dubia colony is strong but definitely not my Panthers favorite, especially out of a dish! Thanks in advance

 

[jamest0o0]

You could try discoids or lobster roaches, they seem a little more preferred, but I can't speak on their smell.

 

[Scottsquatch]

I read a post from somebody here on the forums that had a MASSIVE infestation from lobster roaches. I am not sure where he was located geographically, so maybe that played a big factor.

 

[jamest0o0]

I read that as well. Most don't have issue with it, but always something to consider.

 

[Davecameos]

Green banana roaches. pachlora. Good feeders.

 

[nick barta]

I am hoping you may be able to help @nick barta? I have tried both the Orange head and the red runners but could not handle the smell. I only had a few of the Orange heads but the defensive odor they put off was icky, and the red runners just in general smell funky, even my crickets smell better. I only had a few of each and had them in a larger bin as to not crowd them, maybe I did something wrong? I have not heard any one else mention a smell problem?? Do you know of any other roaches that are good feeders as well? I really want to stop crickets all together as the escapees and endless chirping is driving me nuts My dubia colony is strong but definitely not my Panthers favorite, especially out of a dish! Thanks in advance

Because I raise large quantities, my Orange Head bins can get the ammonia smell, so I replace the egg crates and clean the bins more often than if I were to keep my numbers smaller. I would say you have too many in the bin, and also limit the fresh food so it is completely eaten before you feed again.
On the Red Runners, I have 10,000 in two 54-quart Sterlite Gasket boxes, and have never had an odor, not sure about the smell, the 4 of us that work the RR's don't notice it-perhaps we have become nose-blind...Dave is right, Green Banana Roaches kept as our care sheet suggests with coco fiber don't smell. We have about 400 GBR left, you can check the care sheet and purchase at our website, fullthrottlefeeders.com.

CHEERS!

Nick

 

[hopps31]

You could try discoids or lobster roaches, they seem a little more preferred, but I can't speak on their smell.

Thanks! I was looking into the discoids and lobsters as well.

@Scottsquatch thanks for the heads up, I am going crazy with chirping, I may just take a QUIET roach infestation haha!!

 

[hopps31]

Because I raise large quantities, my Orange Head bins can get the ammonia smell, so I replace the egg crates and clean the bins more often than if I were to keep my numbers smaller. I would say you have too many in the bin, and also limit the fresh food so it is completely eaten before you feed again.
On the Red Runners, I have 10,000 in two 54-quart Sterlite Gasket boxes, and have never had an odor, not sure about the smell, the 4 of us that work the RR's don't notice it-perhaps we have become nose-blind...Dave is right, Green Banana Roaches kept as our care sheet suggests with coco fiber don't smell. We have about 400 GBR left, you can check the care sheet and purchase at our website, fullthrottlefeeders.com.

CHEERS!

Nick

Thanks! I am super sensitive to smells so I don't think that helped the situation. I do have a small colony of bananas started, they are on coco and you are totally right they have no smell. I can probably deal with the red runners funky smell so I am going to give them another go! I was just on your site and plan on getting the feeder cups they look awesome, so I think I will add some bugs tooThanks again, for the great suggestions!

 

[nick barta]

Will do Nick. I have heard that they can infest, but others say no. What's your take on them?

Any tropical roaches given high temperatures, a food source, and hydration, could multiply in a house. Warmer climates in the southern US would be more susceptible, because indoor and outdoor conditions match their requirements. I would say that crickets would be an example of what to expect. Crickets who have escaped chirp for several days, but in 40 years of crickets escaping, I have never had an infestation in my bug room or home (the bin of 2,000 crickets my cat knocked over one night was considered a short term infestation...). Use secure lids like the Sterlite Gasket box, keep your food sources secure in plastic containers, and sleep well my friend.

CHEERS!

Nick

 

[nick barta]

Thanks! I am super sensitive to smells so I don't think that helped the situation. I do have a small colony of bananas started, they are on coco and you are totally right they have no smell. I can probably deal with the red runners funky smell so I am going to give them another go! I was just on your site and plan on getting the feeder cups they look awesome, so I think I will add some bugs tooThanks again, for the great suggestions!

The GBR are fed thin-sliced apples, which don't add to odors, and the harvesting tricks with the heavy bark and plastic bin work well on the care page.

CHEERS!

Nick

 

[alan marz]

The Acheta cricket has a softer shell, is less aggressive, and they do not chirp.

 

[hopps31]

It has been exceptionally hot the last few days here in Maine so the few crickets that escaped when I was transferring them to the cage are really going to town They should die off soon, fingers crossed! That is one thing that is great about our cold winters, nothing lasts long enough to infest.

 

[hopps31]

The GBR are fed thin-sliced apples, which don't add to odors, and the harvesting tricks with the heavy bark and plastic bin work well on the care page.

CHEERS!

Nick

That is exactly what I have going on now, just waiting for them to get up and going! I am going to be purchasing more from you as well, the guy I got these ones from was a horrible experience.

 

[hopps31]

Thanks @alan marz I will research them!

 

[jamest0o0]

Acheta domesticus...? Softer shell than what? What are your relating your comments to? Unless I'm mixed up, they most certainly do chirp. Not sure what you're comparing the aggression levels and shell softness to though...