Dubia Roaches Care Sheet

dubia roaches on white background

Introduction

Common Name: Dubia Roach

Scientific Name: Blapticadubia

Size: Adults- 4 to 4.5cm (1.5 to 1.8 inches); Nymphs- ¼ inch.

Nutritional Benefits

Dubia roaches, commonly known as feeders or pets, exhibit different nutritional compositions between adults and nymphs. Roaches, both adult and nymphs, have high protein and low- fat content compared to other feeder insects. They also have a soft exoskeleton, making them easy for animals to digest.

Typical Nutritional Analysis of Dubia Roaches

Adults Metrics:

Moisture 58%-65%

Protein 50%-60%

Fat 30%-40%

Ash 3.5%-4.2%

Nymph Metrics:

Moisture 58%-60%

Protein 46%-50%

Fat 43%-46%

Ash 2.4%-2.6%

(Yee et al. 2018) (Cerreta et al. 2021indicates other analysis and suggests different proximate on a dry matter basis)

Unique Characteristics

Slow Growth: Dubia roaches are known for their slow grow birth rate, with females taking up to six months to reach adulthood and males taking around 4 months.

Wings: Unlike other species of cockroaches, Dubia roaches are unable to fly. They lack hooks that are common to other species of cockroaches.

Housing and Bedding

Environment: These roaches typically inhabit warm and humid environments, such as tropical forests and grasslands.

Container: Dubia roaches can be kept in a plastic or glass container with smooth sides to prevent escape. Make sure the container has ventilation holes and a secure lid.

Bedding: Provide egg cartons, cardboard tubes, or other hiding spots for the roaches to feel secure. High Calcium Dubia Roach Diet can be used as substrate.

Cleaning: Regularly clean the Dubia roach enclosure by removing any uneaten food, feces, and dead roaches. Replace the substrate as needed to maintain a clean and healthy environment for the roaches.Due to the longevity of these insects, owners need to ensure Dubia cages are cleaned 1-2x per week and provided with fresh dry and moist food. If food replacement is neglected it could lead to cannibalism or fungal growth, dependent on consumption. When hygiene is neglected for the roach and their cage pests can come in to live alongside the Dubia such as mites, flies, or unwanted beetles.

Feeding and Maintenance

Temperature and Humidity: Dubia roaches thrive in temperatures between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels of around 40% - 60%. Our recommended storage temperature ranges between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, equivalent to 77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a heat mat or heat lamp to maintain the temperature and mist the enclosure regularly to keep humidity levels stable.

Feeding: Dubia roaches are omnivorous and can be fed a variety of nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and commercial roach chow. It is important to gut-load Dubia roaches with high-quality food before feeding them to your pet. Try Fluker's High Calcium Roach Diet 24 hours before introducing them to the reptile. You can also use our dusting products on your roaches to provide your reptiles with essential nutrients and vitamins.

Water: Provide a source of water for the Dubia roaches, such as water gel or fresh fruits and vegetables. Make sure to replace the water source regularly to prevent mold and bacteria build up. Use a small dish filled with gravel, with water just covering the gravel, or Fluker's Cricket Quencher in Original and Calcium Fortified to provide a clean water source. Also available is Fluker's Orange Cube Complete Cricket Diet, a convenient, easy to use nutrient filled water and food source. Simply drop a few in the container with the roaches.

Breeding and Lifecycle

Breeding: If you want to breed Dubia roaches, provide them with ample space, food, and ideal conditions.

Overcrowding: Remove any egg cases (oothecase) and transfer them to separate containers to prevent overcrowding. Dubia roaches reproduce quickly, so it is important to monitor the population and prevent overcrowding by separating adults from nymphs or removing excess roaches.

Lifespan: These roaches exhibit a lifespan of 1.5 to 2 years and demonstrate prolific reproductive capabilities, with females producing 20-40 nymphs monthly upon reaching sexual maturity.

Storage and Longevity

Feeding to Reptiles and Amphibians

In recent years, Dubia roaches have become popular as feeder insects for reptiles and other exotic pets due to their nutritional value and ease of care.

Storage: Place the Dubia roaches in a separate feeding container or a dish inside your pet’s enclosure. This will prevent them from escaping and make it easier for your pet to catch and eat them.

Monitor: Watch your pet as they hunt and eat the Dubia roaches. Some pets may need help locating and catching roaches, especially if they are small and not highly active.

Discard: Remove any uneaten Dubia roaches after a few hours to prevent them from hiding in your pet’s enclosure and potentially causing harm.

Dusting: You can dust the Dubia roaches with calcium or other supplements before feeding them to your pet to ensure they are getting all the necessary nutrients.

Hydration: It is important to always provide fresh water for your pet to drink after feeding them Dubia roaches, as they can be dehydrated.

Additional Considerations

Disposal: To dispose of live Dubia roaches responsibly, place them in an escape-proof bag or container, freeze them for at least 24 hours, and then dispose of them in the garbage can. Never release live feeders into the wild as they can be harmful to the native environment!

Find out more about the safe disposal of live feeder insects.

By following these guidelines, you can maintain a healthy mealworm colony and provide nutritious feeder insects for your reptiles. Regular care and the benefits of gut-loading insects will ensure your reptiles receive the best possible nutrition from their mealworms.