Discoid (roaches) Colony

[jolt890]

If I remember correctly, SHARP you have some for your birdeaters. I just started a conony of my own and I'm just looking for pointers from any of you who have experience. Maybe pics of your setup if you can.

Thanks.

[AngryOnion]

Waits for Sharp to reply:)

[Erorr]

A whole lot of spam.



HE GOT PAST ORANGES!? OH NOEZ!?


lol I wonder which one of your fags are releasing bots into the community to get your measly few cents a day

[jolt890]

Don't quote that shit. More crap for me to accidentally click while browsing mobile.

[SHARP]

If I remember correctly, SHARP you have some for your birdeaters. I just started a conony of my own and I'm just looking for pointers from any of you who have experience. Maybe pics of your setup if you can.

Thanks.

Yeah, it's true I kept Blaberus discoidalis but I don't anymore as I simply don't have the time to keep feeder bugs as well as my spiders.

But, I've still got some info I'm sure you could use; the substrate I used was unfertilized potting soil/sphagnum, and the terrarium was a big fauna box, if memory serves (but you could use just about anything).
I'd covered the bottom in about 5-8 cm of substrate as the nymphs like to bury, and two of the four sides with cork bark to make better use of the space.
They also had a couple of U-shaped pieces of bark to hide under.

I'd suggest you put a lid on the terrarium if you've given them opportunity to climb, like if you've covered the insides with cork or something similar - they can't scale smooth surfaces like glass and so on, and despite having wings, they don't fly, but if they can find a foothold they'll be out of the terrarium the second you turn your back on them.

I kept mine at around 27-29 °C and with an air humidity of around 70% or so.
The exact numbers aren't really important, if you keep yours between 25 and 30 °C you should do fine, just don't keep them at the higher end of the scale for extended periods, and try to keep the air humidity above 60%.
According to the nerds, a temperature of around 27 °C should give the best yield, and reproduction should cease completely below 15 °C.
Remember you can fine-tune the temperature by moving the terrarium up or down.
Make sure there's good air circulation, a mesh screen as the top of the terrarium will ensure that, but you'll have to spray more often so I guess you'll have to make a few experiments to see what works best for you.

You should be able to get adults in around 3-4 weeks, and an average of 34 nymphs per cocoon.
You can feed 'em dry cat/dog food, fish flakes, and vegetables & fruit, they aren't picky eaters, but it's a good idea to use a dish or something for the food, to prevent mites, fungus, and other nastiness.
Make sure the nymphs can get in an out as they can't climb too well if the dish is too smooth.

Lightly spray the terrarium daily, with what water that'll collect on the sides of the terrarium, and the water in the veggies/fruit, the 'roaches should do fine.

Meh, that's about all I can think of, they aren't hard to breed so I don't expect any problems, as with all other terraria you should keep them out of direct sunlight as failing to do so can fry the whole culture in a day.
Oh, and apparently they have a tendency to excrete a foul smelling liquid when they feel threatened, and according to what I've read that could cause an itch in the affected area but I've never experienced it myself.

Good luck, and let me know if there's anything else.:)

[jolt890]

Sharp you're probably one of the most helpful people on here. I'm glad you made the switch from &T.

I started my colony with a mix of about 100 nymphs to adults. Now I'm sitting at an estimated 4-500 in a little less than 3 months.

They're in about a 15 gal rubbermaid and I'm thinking of moving them to a bigger one.

I've head that there's a sweetspot for breeding production in relation to space. They apparently seem to breed more if they're closer together but I don't want any overcrowding either. Any experience either way?

I'll post pics soon as well.

[SHARP]

Sharp you're probably one of the most helpful people on here. I'm glad you made the switch from &T.

Thanks, it's good to see you made it here as well.:)

I started my colony with a mix of about 100 nymphs to adults. Now I'm sitting at an estimated 4-500 in a little less than 3 months.

So, will you be selling them, using them for your other animals, or are you simply building a cockroach army?

They're in about a 15 gal rubbermaid and I'm thinking of moving them to a bigger one.

I've head that there's a sweetspot for breeding production in relation to space. They apparently seem to breed more if they're closer together but I don't want any overcrowding either. Any experience either way?

Sorry man, can't help you with that.:(

I'll post pics soon as well.

*eagerly awaits*

[jolt890]

I cut holes in the side and used screen and silicone to cover them.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/jolt890/Animals/DSC03802.jpg

I used some cardboard for hides because I don't feel like paying for eggshell crates for roaches. Doesn't look like there's much inside right?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/jolt890/Animals/DSC03801.jpg

Viola!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/jolt890/Animals/DSC03808.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/jolt890/Animals/DSC03806.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/jolt890/Animals/DSC03806.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/jolt890/Animals/DSC03810.jpg

Might sell some to a few friends who collect reptiles as well.

But mostly I'm looking at becoming food self sufficient, because I'm done paying out the ass for crickets and shipping.

I'll be starting to breed rats as well once I get a bigger place, then all my snakes, beardies, skink, and monitor will be covered too.

[SHARP]

That kicks much ass!

I can see there's a good deal of adults, nice job!

[DJ Meaty Cheeks]

Mmmm, it's almost dinner time.

[fuckbiscuit]

That box full of roaches must smell fucking terrible.

[jolt890]

Roaches have almost no smell and I keep them in a cabinet with their heater.

Crickets smell like death.

-N-

[SHARP]

Crickets smell like death.

True dat...

[Valheru]

Those are some big motherfuckers!

[jolt890]

They need to be big. I have 2 bearded dragons and a monitor that have voracious appetites.

My monitor could easily eat 200+ crix in one sitting.

I usually give him about 10 roaches.

[T.K. Baha]

Thats pretty cool. I've never met anyone that bred roaches on purpose. I should do that and let them go in the apartment I got evicted from.