Dubia Roaches Care Guide by TopFlight Dubia Experts
Posted by William Jones on Apr 14th 2025
How To Store Dubia Cockroaches
By storing the Dubia roaches properly, you can ensure they stay healthy and nutritious, breed effectively, and provide a great food source. However, if roaches are not properly stored, it can lead to several serious issues, such as:
- Roaches can suffer from dehydration, malnutrition, and stress.
- They may not breed at all or may produce unhealthy offspring.
- They are likely to have a shorter lifespan.
So, TopFlight Dubia will provide a detailed care sheet for Dubia roaches covering habitat setup, the right temperature and humidity, what foods to feed, and more.
Set Up the Dubia Roach Habitat
1. Choose the Right Container
Dubia roaches need a proper enclosure to live longer and breed effectively.
So, look out for Dubia roaches' container options, such as glass aquariums (at least 10 gallons) and plastic tubs (40-quart minimum). These containers should have smooth sides to prevent roaches from climbing.
Pro Tip: Dubia roaches can climb glass easily, so opt for plastic tubs with lids. Plastic containers are often more durable, lightweight, affordable, and easy to maintain. |
2. Add Egg Crates and Hiding Spots
Egg crates provide lots of climbing space and hiding spots, which are crucial for Dubia cockroaches' care.
When setting up the egg crates, stack them vertically rather than lay them flat. The vertical arrangement of crates works wonders because:
- Roaches tend to drop their droppings (frass) as they move around. Stacking the egg crates vertically ensures that the droppings fall to the bottom.
- Vertical stacking uses the height of the container efficiently to give more space to Dubia roaches.
3. Proper Ventilation and Covering
Good airflow is vital. Here are some tips to ensure proper ventilation:
- Cut holes in the lid or sides of the container.
- Use a mesh or screen material (like fiberglass or metal window screen) to cover the ventilation holes.
- Apply hot glue or tape to attach the mesh to the container.
What’s the Right Temperature and Humidity for Dubia Roaches?
Ideal Temperature for Dubia Roaches
Dubia roaches can survive at room temperature; they thrive best when kept between 70°F and 90°F.
Adjust The Temperature
If your room temperature falls outside the ideal range, or you want to maintain the proper conditions, then you can use one of the following methods:
1. Ceramic Heat Emitters
These heat sources radiate heat without emitting light. CME is perfect for maintaining the desired temperature needed in your Dubia roach container.
Tip: To avoid overheating, the emitter should not get too close to the roaches. Also, it is important to check the temperature regularly to ensure it's within a safe range. |
2. Under-Tank Heaters (UTH)
These heaters are placed under the tank or container. They provide consistent warmth, which makes them ideal for roaches.
Tip: Place the UTH outside of the tank to prevent direct contact with the plastic. Use a thermostat or rheostat to regulate the temperature. |
Humidity
The desired humidity level for roaches is 60%.
How To Keep the Desired Humidity
1. Mist the Tank
Mist the enclosure with water using a fine mist spray bottle to provide excess moisture.
2. Humidity Control System
Use a humidity control system or humidifier for more consistent results.
Tip: Consider a digital hygrometer to monitor the humidity levels inside the tank. You can then easily adjust the settings of your humidifier or misting accordingly. |
3. Use Substrate
Add substrate like corn litter or cocoa coir to retain moisture. Some users note that roaches may bury themselves or occasionally eat it, which is natural as long as the substrate is safe.
4. Water Solutions
Saturated sponges can be placed inside the tank to provide moisture without creating too much humidity fluctuation.
What Do Dubia Roaches Eat?
In a Reddit thread, users shared what their Dubia roaches love to eat.
Frozen/Thawed Zucchini |
Butternut Squash |
Oranges, Apples, and Sweet Potatoes |
Bananas |
Carrots and Broccoli |
Overall, the Dubia roaches have their own likes and dislikes. So, you can figure out the best diet by trial and error.
What Should You Not Feed Dubia Roaches?
Roaches should not be fed cat food, dog food, and meats because these foods are high in protein. When these foods are fed to roaches, they convert excess protein into uric acid. This can cause digestive issues in roaches.
How Often Do You Need to Feed Dubia Roaches?
Typically, dubia roaches can be fed once a day. To feed the dubia roaches, place large fruit or vegetables in a shallow bowl and put the bowl inside a container.
Make sure to remove the uneaten food from the container within 24 hours to prevent mold issues.
Do Dubia Roaches Need Water?
Yes, Dubia roaches need water to stay hydrated, but they don’t drink from an open water bowl.
Instead, they keep hydrated by eating moisture-rich foods and consuming water crystals.
Fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumbers, zucchini, and oranges provide excellent hydration. Water crystals are safe and easy to use and don’t cause the water to evaporate as quickly as other methods.
How to Keep Dubia Roaches Alive and Healthy For Reptilian Pets
Provide a balanced diet and clean the tank regularly to keep the colony healthy. Also, it is important to address problems like:
- Dehydration: Provide moisture-rich food and water solutions to provide a consistent source of hydration.
- Overcrowding: Dubia roaches are social but need space to thrive. So, separate nymphs (young roaches) from adults to prevent competition for food and space. Ensure the enclosure is large enough to accommodate the colony size.
Get the Healthiest and Quality Dubia Roaches From TopFlight Dubia
Are you looking for healthy, reliable feeder roaches for your reptiles? Poor-quality Dubia roaches can lead to health issues for your pets. So don’t risk your reptilian pet’s health with low-quality feeders. Buy from TopFlight Dubia—our family-owned farm offers high-quality, nutritious Dubia roaches with fast, reliable shipping. We ensure healthy, vibrant roaches for your reptiles and pets, delivered right to your door.