Have questions about ordering, feeding, or caring for Dubia roaches? We've put together answers to some of the most common questions below.
If you don't find what you're looking for, please Chat with Dubia HQ using the chat button on our website and we'll be happy to help.
About Dubia Roaches
What are Dubia roaches?
Dubia roaches (Blaptica dubia) are a tropical species of roach commonly raised as live feeder insects for reptiles, amphibians, and other insect-eating animals.
They're popular with reptile keepers because they're quiet, easy to contain, relatively low odor when properly maintained, and available in a wide range of feeder sizes.
Do Dubia roaches bite?
Dubia roaches are not considered biting feeder insects and are much easier to handle than many other live feeders.
As with any live feeder, use appropriately sized insects and follow feeding practices suitable for your animal.
Can Dubia roaches climb?
Dubia roaches cannot climb clean, smooth surfaces such as plastic or glass.
This makes a smooth-sided plastic tote or similar container an easy way to keep them contained.
Make sure the container has adequate ventilation and a secure lid when necessary.
Can Dubia roaches fly?
Adult males have fully developed wings and are capable of limited flight or gliding under some conditions.
Females have only short wing pads, and nymphs do not have developed wings.
A properly designed feeder container will keep them safely contained.
Why is one of my Dubias white?
Don't worry — you received a Dubia roach, not an albino!
Dubia roaches shed their exoskeleton as they grow. Immediately after molting, a roach can appear white or cream colored and very soft.
Its new exoskeleton will gradually darken and harden.
Choosing Your Dubias
What size Dubia roaches should I order?
We offer six general feeder sizes:
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XS — approximately 1/4"
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Small — approximately 3/8"–1/2"
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Medium — approximately 1/2"–5/8"
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Large — approximately 5/8"–3/4"
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XL — approximately 3/4"–1"
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Jumbo — approximately 1"+
A commonly used guideline for many reptiles is to choose a feeder no larger than the space between the animal's eyes.
When in doubt, choose the smaller size.
For more information, see our Dubia Roach Size Guide.
Are the sizes exact?
No. Dubia roaches are living, growing animals, so some natural size variation is unavoidable.
We sort our Dubias to provide the most consistent sizing reasonably possible, but you may receive some insects slightly above or below the listed size.
Will my Dubias get bigger after I receive them?
Yes!
Dubia roaches continue to molt and grow until they reach adulthood.
If you purchase a particular feeder size but keep the roaches for several weeks, some will eventually grow into the next size range.
How many should I order?
That depends on the number, size, species, and feeding schedule of the animals you're feeding.
If you're trying Dubias for the first time, one of our smaller quantities can be a good way to determine which size and quantity works best for your animal.
We currently offer most feeder sizes in 25, 50, and 100 counts.
Caring for Your Dubias
How do I keep Dubia roaches alive?
Dubias are relatively easy to maintain.
Keep them in a well-ventilated, smooth-sided container, provide hiding surfaces such as egg flats, keep the enclosure dry, and provide appropriate food and moisture.
For complete instructions, see our Dubia Roach Care Guide.
What should I feed my Dubias?
A quality commercial roach or feeder-insect diet makes a convenient staple.
Appropriate fresh fruits and vegetables can also provide additional nutrition and moisture.
Remove uneaten fresh food before it spoils or molds.
Do Dubias need water?
They need a source of hydration, but we don't recommend an open water dish because small roaches can drown.
Hydration can be provided through appropriate fresh produce or another moisture source designed for feeder insects.
What temperature should I keep them at?
Normal household temperatures of approximately 70–80°F work well for general feeder storage.
Warmer temperatures increase activity and growth, while cooler temperatures slow them down.
Keep the enclosure away from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight.
Ordering & Quantities
Why did I receive more Dubias than I ordered?
That's intentional!
We overcount our live Dubia shipments by approximately 10% whenever possible to help compensate for normal losses that can occasionally occur while live insects are in transit.
So if you order 100 Dubias, don't be surprised if you find approximately 110 in the package.
Are your counts exact?
Our listed quantities are approximate counts.
We make every reasonable effort to provide at least the quantity purchased and generally include approximately 10% extra whenever possible.
The additional roaches are intended to help cover minor or normal shipping losses.
Do you sell adult male Dubia roaches?
Yes.
We offer sexed adult male Dubia roaches separately when available.
Adult males can be used to add or replace males in an existing breeding colony or as large live feeders for appropriately sized animals.
Availability depends on our current colony production.
Do you sell adult females?
Adult females are not part of our regular feeder inventory.
Females are extremely valuable to a breeding colony because they're responsible for producing the next generation of Dubias.
We may offer breeding stock in the future as colony production allows.
Shipping & Live Arrival
How much is shipping?
We currently charge $7.99 flat-rate shipping for eligible live Dubia roach orders.
That means ordering multiple quantities or sizes in the same eligible shipment can provide considerably better shipping value than ordering them separately.
See our Shipping & Live Arrival page for complete details.
What if some of my Dubias arrive dead?
We include approximately 10% extra Dubias whenever possible specifically to help cover minor losses during shipping.
If your shipment experiences a major loss beyond the additional roaches included, contact Dubia HQ within 2 hours of the carrier marking your package as delivered.
You'll need to provide your order number along with clear photos and/or video of the affected insects and packaging.
Approved major-loss claims may receive a replacement shipment or store credit at Dubia HQ's discretion.
Please see our Shipping & Live Arrival policy for complete requirements.
Are shipping charges refundable?
No. Original shipping charges are non-refundable.
If Dubia HQ approves and chooses to send a replacement shipment under our Live Arrival Guarantee, we will cover the shipping cost of that approved replacement.
What happens during extreme heat or cold?
Because we're shipping live animals, weather matters.
Dubia HQ may delay shipment during extreme heat, extreme cold, severe weather, or other conditions that could significantly affect live arrival.
We may also recommend or require that an order be held for pickup when that provides a safer option.
Do you ship Dubia roaches everywhere in the United States?
No.
Dubia roaches are restricted or prohibited in certain locations, and we will not knowingly ship them to a destination where their possession or importation is prohibited.
Customers are responsible for making sure Dubia roaches are legal at their delivery destination.
We do not ship Dubia roaches to Florida or Hawaii.
Additional destination restrictions may apply.
Breeding
Can I start a breeding colony with the Dubias I buy from you?
Our regular feeder-size Dubias are sold as feeders and are not sexed.
If allowed to reach adulthood, healthy nymphs may eventually become breeding adults, but we don't guarantee the sex ratio of feeder orders.
Our separately listed Adult Male Dubia Roaches are guaranteed males.
What male-to-female ratio should I use for breeding?
A Dubia colony needs considerably fewer adult males than females.
Too many males are unnecessary and can create additional competition within the colony.
If you're building a breeding colony, focus primarily on maintaining healthy adult females with enough mature males to service the colony.
Still Have Questions?
We're here to help.
If you have questions about your order, choosing the right feeder size, caring for your Dubias, or shipping, please Chat with Dubia HQ using the chat button on our website
You can also visit our Dubia Roach Size Guide, Dubia Roach Care Guide, or Shipping & Live Arrival page for more detailed information.