Roaches

[Kevin1]

I wouldn't suggest keeping lateralis.
There are a bit invasive. You may have wild populations living out in your yard.
They are a close relative of the oriental cockroach(major invasive species).
I kept them before I got my dubia.
They were in a rubbermaid bin.
In my experiences If there wasn't a lid on the bin they could've climbed out(watched them climb the side).
I used to find them in my garage, closet, outside, and etc.
In fact one night I was on the computer and I felt something crawl up my leg. When I looked it was a lateralis.
They are extremely fast breeders. But I would take out the egg cases before they hatch. Mine would eat the newborn roaches as they were coming out.

[Tom Highum]

You see i would like something that cant quite climb like that.

[Kevin1]

Like John said Blaptica Dubia are a good roach.
The only regret I have with these roaches was not initially buying more. They only problem I've had so far is a lack of babies. Compared to lobsters and Turkestan roaches these guys breed slow.
I've had mine 2 months now and I haven't seen any young. However I did find 2 dropped oothecas.
They're are others though I've read that the Orange Head Roach. Breeds faster than dubia and others like it. They can't climb glass or smooth sides. I've read they do have a strong defense odor

[Tom Highum]

Yea smell is kinda annoying too i think i will go with dubia. Thanks all.

[Fred]

yes, especially babies of lateralis are able to climb on ''apparently'' smooth surface, like glass, since they have less weight. however, i've found that when they do this it is not really ''smooth'', some dirt is present so it gives them a foothold. the most effective way (and cheapest) is to put saranwrap, about 3 inches in height around the inside of the enclosure. secure this with some tape to keep it tight, and voila no escapees for sure. never had any problem with this method. also, I am a bit skeptical with the invasive reputation people sometimes give them. unless you live in a humid and warm place year round, they won't breed indoors (i remember a thread on another forum where a guy that lived in utah had a few HUNDREDS of them getting out and never had any problem with invasion). dubia is a good choice tho, but it really depends on the size of your critters and how fast you want them to breed.

cheers! Fred

[Tom Highum]

I really just want something i can swap in with crickets every one in a while

[SludgeMunkey]

Like John said Blaptica Dubia are a good roach.
The only regret I have with these roaches was not initially buying more. They only problem I've had so far is a lack of babies. Compared to lobsters and Turkestan roaches these guys breed slow.
I've had mine 2 months now and I haven't seen any young. However I did find 2 dropped oothecas.
They're are others though I've read that the Orange Head Roach. Breeds faster than dubia and others like it. They can't climb glass or smooth sides. I've read they do have a strong defense odor

Very strong defensive odor! Think of small, brownish orange skunks with wings!

[John]

Kevin - what temperature are you heating the dubia to? They need to be about 90 to get everything chugging along.

[Kevin1]

Well on the cool end they're at about 82.
The warm end Slightly below 90.
Also, since I bought them I've seen 2 dropped ootheca(s?) so far.

[John]

They usually drop the egg cases when they're disturbed. If you're seeing egg cases, that means they're breeding. How many did you start with? How are you heating them by the way? I need a cost effective and cheap way to heat my dubias now that I've moved.