Dubia Roaches

Dubia roaches, known scientifically as Blaptica dubia, are popular among reptile enthusiasts for their nutritional value, ease of care, and ability to reproduce in captivity. Originally from South America, these roaches are found in countries like Argentina, Brazil, and French Guiana, which thrive in tropical climates. Due to their high protein content and low maintenance needs, they have gained popularity globally as feeder insects for reptiles and amphibians. At our facility, we go through a few thousand Dubia Roaches weekly to keep up with our reptiles that love them!

Here at Nealon Reptiles, we maintain a sizable breeding population of Dubia Roaches to ensure that our Reptiles that eat them always have them. We sometimes have to order a few thousand roaches to meet demand. We highly recommend Dubia.com if you need Dubia Roaches as feeders or to start your own breeding colony.

Why Dubia Roaches Make Excellent Feeders

Dubia roaches are valued for several qualities that make them ideal for feeding reptiles. They are low in fat and high in protein, which supports the growth and health of reptiles. Additionally, they do not carry the risks associated with wild-caught insects, like parasites or pesticides, making them safer for pet reptiles. Dubia roaches are also quiet, non-climbing, and odorless compared to other feeder insects, such as crickets, which can be noisy and emit strong odors. If we could get away with feeding Dubia Roaches only, we would!

Legal Considerations

While Dubia roaches are legal in most of the United States, certain states have restrictions. States like Florida and Hawaii restrict Dubia roach ownership and breeding due to the risk they pose to local ecosystems should they escape into the wild. Always check local regulations before acquiring or breeding Dubia roaches. The good news is that it is hard to break this law, as companies that breed and sell Dubia Roaches won’t ship to you if you’re in a state where Dubia Roaches are prohibited.

Caring for Dubia Roaches

Dubia roaches are relatively low-maintenance feeder insects, requiring just a few basics to thrive. They are best kept in a warm environment, ideally between 84°F and 90°F, to maintain their health and encourage breeding. A plastic or glass enclosure with a secure lid works well, as Dubia roaches cannot climb smooth surfaces. Provide adequate ventilation and keep the habitat dry to prevent mold growth. Many keepers choose egg cartons or cardboard for substrate, offering plenty of hiding spaces while maximizing space.

We maintain our breeding colony in large plastic tubs, such as those found at Lowe’s. We leave the lid off as the roaches can’t climb. It also helps to ensure that we have enough ventilation to ensure moisture doesn’t build up.

Feeding your Dubia Roaches

Dubia roaches are omnivorous and thrive on a diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, and commercial roach or cricket chow. High-quality foods like carrots, apples, oranges, and leafy greens are excellent options. Avoiding citrus fruits in large amounts is essential, as they can be harmful in excess. We also feed our Dubia Roaches whole wheat tortillas. We’ll throw one of two in every few days, replacing them when they’re eaten.

We gut-load all of our Dubia roaches (feeding them nutritious food before feeding them to reptiles) to enhance their nutritional value for our reptiles. If you do not feed them high-quality food, your Dubia Roach colony will suffer, and your reptiles will not get the nutrients they need to thrive.

Hydrating your Dubia Roaches

Dubia Roaches can get most, if not all, of their hydration needs met by simply feeding them the right food. Using this method, we provide fresh fruits and vegetables to hydrate Dubia roaches, meeting their hydration needs. You’ll want to avoid using standing water dishes, as roaches can drown. Maintaining the proper humidity, around 50–60%, will also help prevent dehydration without causing excess moisture buildup.

Breeding Dubia Roaches

Breeding Dubia roaches is relatively straightforward. If your reptiles eat Dubia Roaches, we highly recommend that you try breeding your own. Not only will you control the state of your Dubia supply, but you’ll save money if you do it right. In addition, you can always sell any extras that you have!

Under optimal conditions, a female Dubia roach will produce about 20–30 monthly offspring. Here’s how to set up a breeding colony:

1. Temperature and Humidity: Ensure a temperature of around 90°F in the breeding enclosure and keep humidity at 50–60%. Warmth is essential for promoting a strong breeding cycle.
2. Setup: Arrange the enclosure with plenty of egg crates or cardboard for shelter. Female roaches can produce young every 28 days in the right conditions.
3. Male-to-Female Ratio: A good ratio is one male to three females for breeding. This balance allows for optimal reproduction without excessive competition among males.
4. Food and Water: Gut-load your colony regularly with fruits, vegetables, and commercial roach food. Offering calcium-rich food items can improve the nutritional quality of your feeder roaches.

Once breeding is established, Dubia roaches will continue to produce offspring without much intervention. To avoid overcrowding, monitor the population and remove roaches as needed for feeding.

Why aren’t my Dubias Breeding?

While breeding Dubia Roaches isn’t terribly difficult, you can sometimes run into issues. When you dive into your issues, you often find that one of the following issues is to blame for them to stop breeding.

The most common reasons you’ll have difficulty producing the Dubia Roaches you want are your temperatures and humidity levels. Check the temperature and humidity if your Dubia roaches aren’t breeding as expected. Even a slight drop below 80°F can slow reproduction. Aim to keep temperatures in the high 80’s or even low 90’s.

You’ll also want to retire your breeding roaches from time to time. As they age, the number of baby roaches your breeding colony produces will decrease. Once we notice this, we’ll feed the breeders to our larger reptiles, such as the Parson’s Chameleons. If you’re allowing your roaches to grow out, you should have plenty to replace the no longer productive breeders. If you have a fairly small breeding colony, you’ll see if production drops off just by how many young they produce. You can weigh the baby roaches in larger breeding colonies when you separate them from the adults. When the weight starts dropping, you know you’re getting fewer babies.

Keeping your Dubia Enclosures Clean

Keeping your Dubia Enclosures clean is vital to your success in keeping them alive or breeding them. Mold can develop in enclosures with high moisture or poor ventilation. Remove any uneaten food and keep the habitat dry.

Dead Roaches: If roaches die unexpectedly, check for overcrowding, poor diet, or suboptimal conditions. Ensure they have adequate space and ventilation.

Nutritional Benefits for Reptiles

Dubia roaches are an excellent protein, fiber, and essential nutrient source. They contain less chitin than some other feeder insects, making them easier for reptiles to digest. These roaches are also less likely to transmit parasites to reptiles, making them one of the safest feeder options available. When gut-loaded with various fresh produce and grains, they can provide a well-rounded meal that promotes growth, health, and vibrant coloration in reptiles.

Dubia roaches have become a staple in the reptile-keeping world for their nutritional benefits, ease of care, and low-maintenance breeding. With proper housing, feeding, and a bit of warmth, they can be a reliable and long-lasting source of nourishment for reptiles of all kinds. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional breeder, maintaining a Dubia roach colony can simplify the feeding process and enhance the health of your reptilian friends. Always check local regulations to ensure compliance, and enjoy the benefits of this exceptional feeder insect on hand.