Dubia Roach FAQs

Dubia Roach FAQs

**ALWAYS OPEN LIVE INSECTS OUTSIDE OR OVER ANOTHER CONTAINER**

Table of Contents

What are dubia roaches?

Dubia roaches (Blaptica dubia) are also known as orange-spotted roaches, the Guyana spotted roach, and the Argentinian wood roach. These are a medium-sized type of cockroach native to Central and South America. 

Are dubia roaches good feeder insects?

Dubia roaches are one of the most popular live feeders for omnivorous and insectivorous reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and other exotic pets. Many argue that dubia roaches are one of the best feeder insects to have in your rotation. They are nutritionally well-rounded, easy to digest, easy to keep, have a low risk of parasites, and come in a variety of sizes to suit a variety of pets.

What are the nutrition facts for dubia roaches?

We sent samples of our dubia roaches to the Barrow-Agee laboratory in Tennessee for testing. Here are the results we received for our Extra Small Dubia Roach Nymphs (these are about 3-5 days old) and Extra Large Dubia Roach Nymphs (these are about 3.5 months old, nearly adults):

Size Moisture
(%)		 Protein
(%)		 Fat
(%)		 Ash
(%)		 Fiber
(%)		 Calcium
(mg/kg)		 Phosphorus
(mg/kg)
Extra Small 71.5 21.4 6.1 1.3 2.6 700 2600
Extra Large 65.6 23.4 7.2 1.2 2.9 800 2600

 

As you can see, extra large and extra small nymphs are similar nutritionally, although the larger roaches have less moisture, slightly more fat, and somewhat more protein.

How do I feed dubia roaches to my pet?

The first thing you will need to do is dust the dubia roaches with calcium power. This helps correct their natural imbalance of calcium to phosphorus — the ideal Ca:P ratio is 2:1, and Ca:P ratio in dubia roaches is 1:3 to 1:4. It's easy to dust dubia roaches with calcium. Simply place the roaches in a paper or plastic bag with some calcium powder inside, and gently shake until they are lightly coated.

There are a few different ways to feed your pet dubia roaches. One way is to use a separate tank or feeding tub. Transfer your pet to this enclosure, release the dubias, and watch your pet hunt!

Alternatively, you can place the dubias in a feeding bowl or hand-feed with soft-tipped feeding tweezers.Note that dubias are able to climb out of most bowls, so it's a good idea to use an escape-proof feeder dish.

How do I house/store dubia roaches?

It's very easy to keep dubia roaches. They will arrive in small plastic cups or a box, depending on how many you ordered. If you just ordered a few, then you can keep them in their cups and add food and water as needed. However if you ordered many, or if you're planning to start a breeding colony, then you will need a separate container. Most people keep their dubias in a small tank, critter keeper, or plastic tub filled with egg flats for them to hide in and climb on.

What do I feed to my dubia roaches?

You can use products like Dubia Dew and Roach Chow to keep your dubias fed and watered. Using a commercial chow rather than trying to make your own formula is a good way to make sure they're getting the nutrients that they need. You can also throw in some fresh Organic vegetables like dark leafy greens, sweet potato, or squash to give them some extra vitamins and hydration. Be sure to thoroughly wash all Organic produce before offering it to your Dubia. Never give a water dish to dubia roaches, as they may drown in it.

How long do dubia roaches last?

When kept properly, dubia roaches can last for months. Keep in mind that they will grow over time, so unless your pet is big enough to eat adult dubia roaches, only order as many roaches as you can feed off before they grow too big.

How do I breed dubia roaches?

Dubia roaches are not hard to breed, which is why many people with multiple insectivorous pets will choose to start a colony. All you need is a secure enclosure, a heat source, plenty of appropriate food, and some patience.

However, be aware that too much handling of the roaches, or always being around them, can lead to you becoming allergic to the frass (droppings). For this reason, it is generally better to get your dubia roaches in regular shipments from a reputable supplier. This will minimize the risk of allergies developing for you or your family members.

Will dubia roaches infest my house if they escape?

No, thank goodness! In order to breed, dubia roaches need higher temperatures and humidity than your house is able to provide. If they escape, they will simply hide out somewhere until they eventually die. In states that have the right climate for dubia roaches to survive outside of their enclosure, dubia roaches have been outlawed. We do not ship to these states.

Do dubia roaches bite?

No. Unlike other feeder insects that are known to be able to bite and become potentially harmful to your pet (ex: crickets), dubia roaches are perfectly harmless.

Why do some of my dubia roaches have wings?

This is the one of the big differences between male and female dubia roaches. Males have fully-formed wings, while females only have wing stubs.

Can dubia roaches fly?

Although male dubia roaches can fly, they can't fly very well. So you don't have anything to worry about there.

Why are some of my dubia roaches white?

Like other insects, dubia roaches regularly shed their exoskeleton (outer shell) as they grow. This is a process called molting. Freshly-molted dubia roaches have soft bodies and look creamy white, but they return to normal within a few hours.

Many reptiles and amphibians enjoy the softness of a freshly-molted roach, so try giving one to your pet as a treat!

Are dubia roaches creepy?

That's a matter of opinion. But dubia roaches don't really look like the common house roaches that cause infestations. In fact, many people who are otherwise afraid of or creeped out by roaches find dubia roaches "cute"! Some say that they look more like roly polys than they do roaches.

 

Learn more about dubia roaches in our Dubia Roach Care Sheet!

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