Cold and feeder problem

[AbranV]

Elly,

Any chance you have a PETCO near you? I was at mine(Salem, OR) the other day, and saw that they now carry small (half inch or so)dubias in "ready to go" containers. I think there were around 25-30 per container.

I'm really not lobbying for the roach industry, but I'm really impressed with these bugs. My only complaints are that they don't float too well(I have a bullfrog), and getting a colony started is a pain, but that's more if a patience issue rather than a complaint.

So far 200 sm/med roaches has lasted me a good two months with plenty still left. I've had maybe five out of 200 die. I keep the feeders in a small cricket keeper, and the breeders in a 10qt Sterilite container and have had no issues with escapees or smells. They are in a room that's currently around 50-55 degrees, with only the breeders on a heating pad. Still no problems or die offs(so far) for the non-heated roaches. You can leave the top off of the container for a bit without them climbing out, where as crickets will jump out first chance they get. The juveniles don't look like a typical roach, more like a large pill/sow bug. If they escape, it would be very difficult for them to breed without proper conditions.
Let's see what else is there? They are kind of intriguing to watch, but that just may be me being a dude and all(we don't mature, just get older).

Now that I've realized how nerdy I sound towards roaches, I'll leave before I get too out if hand...

P.s. I ordered mine from West Coast roaches, they had the best deal for me at the time

[elly]

Can't breed without proper conditions? You mean temperature or something extra like a tray of substrate?
Also, thanks. I decided to get a box of dubias.

[Strider18]

They can't breed without high temeratures, I believe that they can only breed in temperatures over 75 F and they can't live below 65 F

[badkelpie]

Dubias will live through anything that doesn't freeze them solid. My house is COLD in the winter. 50 - 60 degrees usually, sometimes dropping close to 40. The roaches usually have heat, but sometimes I turn it off and they pretty much stay dormant. They don't grow or breed without heat, but they'll live through it.