Dubia roaches are hardy, quiet, low-odor feeder insects that are easy to keep at home. With a simple container, proper food, and a little warmth, your Dubias can stay healthy until you're ready to feed them.
This guide covers the basics of caring for feeder Dubia roaches purchased from Dubia HQ.
When Your Dubias Arrive
Open your package promptly after delivery and inspect your roaches.
During cold weather, Dubias may arrive sluggish or appear motionless. Allow them to gradually reach normal indoor temperature before determining whether they are deceased.
Transfer your roaches to a suitable ventilated container if you don't plan to use them immediately.
If you believe your shipment experienced a major loss, follow the instructions in our Shipping & Live Arrival policy and contact us within the required time period.
Choosing a Container
Dubia roaches are easy to contain because they cannot climb clean, smooth plastic or glass surfaces.
A plastic storage tote or similar smooth-sided container works well.
Your container should:
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Have smooth sides
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Provide adequate ventilation
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Have a secure lid
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Remain dry
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Provide enough room for the number of roaches you're keeping
Ventilation is important. Excess moisture and poor airflow can encourage mold and create unhealthy conditions.
Give Them Somewhere to Hide
Dubias prefer dark, sheltered spaces.
Cardboard egg flats work extremely well and provide lots of usable surface area without taking up much floor space.
Place egg flats vertically or loosely stack them so air can circulate between them.
You don't need substrate for ordinary feeder storage. Keeping the bottom of the container bare also makes cleaning easier.
Temperature
Dubia roaches tolerate normal household temperatures well for short-term feeder storage.
For general feeder maintenance, approximately 70–80°F works well.
Warmer temperatures increase activity, feeding, growth, and eventually reproduction. Cooler temperatures slow them down.
Avoid exposing Dubias to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.
Never place their container in direct sun. A plastic tote can heat to dangerous temperatures surprisingly quickly.
Feeding Your Dubias
Dubia roaches will eat a wide variety of foods.
A quality commercial roach diet or dry food formulated for feeder insects makes a convenient staple.
You can also supplement their diet with fresh produce such as:
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Carrots
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Squash
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Sweet potato
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Apples
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Leafy greens
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Other reptile-safe fruits and vegetables
Fresh foods can provide both nutrition and moisture.
Remove uneaten fresh food before it begins to mold or spoil.
Providing Water
Avoid using an open dish of water.
Dubia roaches can drown, particularly smaller nymphs.
Instead, provide moisture through appropriate fresh fruits and vegetables or another moisture source designed for feeder insects.
The goal is to provide hydration without creating a wet enclosure.
Keep Them Dry
One of the most important parts of keeping Dubias healthy is controlling moisture.
Their enclosure should generally remain dry with good airflow.
Wet food, excessive moisture, poor ventilation, and accumulated waste can encourage mold and odors.
Remove spoiled food promptly and clean the container as necessary.
Gut Loading Before Feeding
One advantage of keeping live feeders is that you control what they eat before your reptile eats them.
Providing your Dubias with nutritious food for approximately 24–48 hours before feeding can improve their value as feeders.
Offer a quality feeder diet along with appropriate fresh vegetables.
Remember that Dubia roaches are part of your animal's overall diet. Follow appropriate feeding and supplementation recommendations for the species you keep.
How Long Can I Keep Them?
With proper food, moisture, ventilation, and temperature, Dubia roaches can be maintained for extended periods.
Remember that they will continue to grow.
If you purchase a particular feeder size and keep the roaches for several weeks, some may molt and become larger than the size you originally ordered.
If your animal needs a specific feeder size, order an amount you're likely to use before the roaches substantially outgrow it.
Can Dubia Roaches Escape and Infest My House?
Dubia roaches are tropical insects and are very different from common household pest roaches.
They cannot climb clean, smooth plastic or glass surfaces and generally require warm conditions to reproduce efficiently.
Even so, they're live insects, so always use a secure, appropriately ventilated container and avoid releasing them into your home or outdoors.
What Size Should I Feed?
We offer Dubias ranging from approximately 1/4" XS feeders through 1"+ Jumbo feeders.
The appropriate size depends on the species and size of the animal you're feeding.
A commonly used guideline for many reptiles is to offer prey no larger than the space between the animal's eyes.
When in doubt, choose the smaller feeder.
See our Dubia Roach Size Guide for help choosing from the sizes available at Dubia HQ.
Quick Care Checklist
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Keep Dubias in a smooth-sided, ventilated container.
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Provide egg flats or similar hiding surfaces.
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Keep the enclosure dry.
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Maintain approximately 70–80°F for general feeder storage.
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Provide a quality feeder diet.
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Provide safe sources of moisture.
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Remove fresh food before it spoils.
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Avoid open water dishes.
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Keep the container out of direct sunlight.
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Remember that your Dubias will continue to grow.
Need Help?
If you have questions about caring for your Dubias, choosing a feeder size, or an order from Dubia HQ, please Chat with Dubia HQ using the chat button on our website.
We're happy to help you get the most from your feeders.