Dubia Roach

About Dubia Roach

A beginner-friendly medium-sized roach that can't climb glass, doesn't chirp, and has little odor. Livebearing and easy to breed, Dubia roaches are used worldwide as feeder insects for reptiles and invertebrates, growing to 4-4.5cm and living up to two years.

7 things to know before welcoming a Dubia Roach

1. 1Can't Climb Glass

   Thanks to the shape of their legs, Dubia roaches cannot climb smooth surfaces like glass or plastic tank walls. This makes escape far less likely as long as the enclosure has a secure lid, keeping things manageable even for first-time insect keepers.

2. 2Quiet and Low Odor

   Unlike many other roach species, Dubia roaches don't produce loud chirping sounds, and their body odor and waste smell are relatively mild. This makes them easier to keep in numbers indoors, even in an apartment.

3. 3Telling Males from Females

   Males have wings and orange markings along their sides, while females are wingless with a rounder body shape. Knowing this difference makes it easier to manage sexes if you're planning to breed them.

4. 4Livebearing Makes Breeding Easy

   Dubia roaches are livebearers, meaning eggs hatch inside the female before nymphs are born. Given stable warmth and a steady food supply, a colony can sustain itself across generations without much intervention.

5. 5Temperature and Humidity

   As a tropical species, Dubia roaches need consistent warmth and moderate humidity to stay healthy. Avoid both overly dry substrate and excess moisture, and keep the enclosure well ventilated.

6. 6Feeding and Water

   They're omnivorous and will eat vegetable scraps as well as commercial insect feed. For water, gel-based hydration products or moist sponges are safer options than open water dishes, which can lead to excess humidity.

7. 7Setting Up Before You Bring Them Home

   Prepare a smooth-walled enclosure that takes advantage of their inability to climb, along with egg-crate hiding spots and a heat source, before bringing your roaches home. If you plan to keep a large group, choose a container with room to spare as the colony grows.

Frequently asked questions about Dubia Roach

Q.Can Dubia roaches escape inside my home?

A.Because of their leg structure, they can't climb smooth surfaces like glass, so the escape risk is low as long as the enclosure has a secure lid. Even so, it's a good idea to seal any gaps, since they can slip through small openings.

Q.Are the noise and smell noticeable?

A.Dubia roaches don't make loud chirping sounds and have relatively little body odor. That said, waste can start to smell if you're keeping a large group and don't clean regularly, so routine maintenance is still needed.

Q.Can beginners keep and breed them?

A.As livebearers, they have a low barrier to breeding, making them a beginner-friendly insect. With consistent temperature control and feeding, you can maintain and grow a colony over generations.

Q.How big do they get and how long do they live?

A.Adults reach about 4-4.5cm, and once mature they can live up to two years. Individual lifespan varies with care conditions.

Q.Do they need extra heating in winter?

A.Since Dubia roaches are a tropical species, it's recommended to maintain adequate warmth with a heating device in cold environments. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures can slow their activity or affect their condition.

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