A cheaper and easier alternative to crickets for feeding your insect-eating pets is feeders roaches.To establish a breeding colony of roaches, you need to house them in a dark environment that is warm and humid, and give them a good diet.
Step 1: You can choose a roach species.
Dubia roaches are the easiest roaches to breed.They are not able to climb up smooth surfaces.Medium sized, they can be fed to most animals.Dubia roaches are more difficult to breed than other roach species.Most stores that sell reptiles will sell Dubia roaches.If you don't have a local place to buy roaches, they can be purchased online and shipped to you.100 roaches will cost you between $20 and $30.
Step 2: Purchase more female roaches.
For ideal breeding conditions, the female-to-male ratio should be 3:1 and 7:1.You can tell female from male roaches.Females and males have different wings that cover their bodies.
Step 3: Purchase 100 roaches.
A good base to start with is 100 roaches.It will take less than 100 roaches to make a colony.If you want to start a large colony, you can start with more than 100 roaches.How big your colony is going to be depends on how many animals you want to feed.
Step 4: There are two plastic bins.
You can choose bins that are at least 18” in size.Large plastic storage tubs are ideal because they provide darkness for the roaches and have smooth sides that they can't climb.When you clean the first bin, you have to put your roaches in the second bin.Aquariums are harder to heat and provide a dark environment.
Step 5: Make a hole in the top of the bins and cover it with a metal screen.
One large hole or several smaller holes can be cut.This will allow you to breathe in your roach colony.The holes should be covered with a metal screen.Attach the screen with hot glue or duct tape.Dubia roaches can chew through fiberglass screens.The screens will keep your roaches out of the holes.
Step 6: The harborage should be put in the bins.
Harborage is where your roaches can hide and breed.Egg crates are ideal for harborage as they contain many ridges and degrade very slowly.You can use a variety of paper products.The harborage should be placed in the plastic bins.Glossy magazine paper can be used for harborage.There are chemicals in this type of paper that can harm your roaches.
Step 7: You can heat the bins.
Dubia roaches require a temperature of around 90 degrees for idea breeding.There are different ways to heat the bins.Purchase a reptile heating pad and place it under the bin.The bins can be left in this area if there is a spot in the house that stays consistently around 90 degrees.Space heaters can be used to provide heat, but they are less precise than reptile heating pads and will require you to keep a thermostat in the bins to monitor the temperature.Don't put the heating element in the bin.You can either keep it under the bin or on the side.
Step 8: You should introduce your roaches.
Release your roaches and seal the bin.They will quickly find places to hide and begin the breeding process.
Step 9: The bin should be misted with water.
humidity is needed by Dubia roaches to survive.If the humidity stays above 40%, your roaches will do well.The inside of the bin can be misted with water once a week.You may need to mist more often in dry environments.Place a hygrometer in the bin to keep an eye on the humidity levels.The food should be removed from the bin.If the food is wet, it could lead to mold.
Step 10: The water crystal dish is in the bin.
Synthetic material absorbs water and is used in water crystal dishes.They will allow your roaches to drink water without being drowned.Water crystal dishes can be purchased at reptile stores.Your roaches will be able to get most of their water from the water you use to humidify the bins, but a water crystal dish ensures they won't get dehydrated if you miss a mist.
Step 11: Dry food can be added.
Roaches don't mind what they eat.Dry food will not rot or grow mold that can smell and harm your roaches, so it's ideal for their main source of nutrition.There are good options for dry roach food.Put the dry food in a bin.When the supply is low add more dry food.A cup of dry food can last several weeks.
Step 12: Fresh fruits and vegetables should be added.
Additional vital nutrition for your roaches will be provided by these.You can eat lettuce, carrots, bananas, and apples.Fruits and vegetables can be put in the bin by placing them on a small dish.Remove the dish from the bin after two days.The food will not rot or develop mold if this is done.If you leave fresh food in the bin, mold can grow and kill your colony.
Step 13: The roaches should be moved to the second bin.
Lift the harborage using gloves after removing the lid from the first bin.The harborage can be put into the second bin.Take the food and water dishes out of the first bin and put them in the second bin to transfer the roaches.Lift roaches by hand if they are still in the first bin.
Step 14: The first bin needs to be washed with soap and water.
To clean out the bin, remove any solid roach feces.It doesn't have to be clean.Excess frass and dead roaches should be removed from the bin.When you are done, dry the bin thoroughly.
Step 15: Do not clean the bin too often.
It is important to allow small amounts of frass to accumulate in the bin.If the bin produces a bad smell, only clean it when dead roaches have begun to accumulate.If you notice a smell from the bin, it is time for a cleaning.
Step 16: Allow your roaches to breed.
Between twenty-five and thirty baby roaches are produced by healthy female roaches every six to eight weeks.Within seventy days, any new females that are born will mate and begin to bear their own offspring.After two reproductive cycles of six to eight weeks for the roaches you purchase, your colony will be established.
Step 17: Feed your pets.
The roaches can be used as food for your pets after your colony is established.It should be able to replenish itself with every seventy-day breeding cycle if you don't deplete the colony below 100 roaches.Purchase more roaches to fill in the gaps if you reduce the colony below 100 individuals.Purchase 25 new roaches if you remove the colony to 75 people.
Step 18: Excess roaches can be shared or sold.
If your colony develops beyond your needs, you can either sell them or give them to other pet-owners.If you cannot find local buyers for your roaches, you can sell them on eBay.