How to Store Dubia Roaches

We know that Dubia roaches can survive at low temperatures, but should they be kept in the refrigerator? When we are asked this question, our answer is very simple: No, we do not recommend storing your Dubia roaches in the fridge. Why? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that refrigerators are typically set to a temperature at or below 40°F in order to store food safely. This temperature is too cold for your Dubia roaches and can cause a number of issues, including:

• Stress due to temperature changes which can weaken their immune system
• Reduced lifespan
• Disruption of the reproductive cycle (Dubias need a warm environment to reproduce.)
• Difficulties with feeding due to your roaches becoming sluggish and less active

Tips for Storing Dubia Roaches

Dubia roaches have a natural habitat in tropical rainforests, so it’s no surprise that they prefer a warm environment: It helps them grow more quickly and aids in reproduction.

We suggest you begin using a 22-gallon or larger Sterilite storage bin. The bin should not be clear; a solid bin will help block out too much light from entering the colony. Your Dubia roaches—nocturnal creatures—prefer the dark!

Temperature and heat will be essential for keeping your roaches healthy and happy. We recommend keeping their enclosure between 80°F and 95°F. As we noted, colder temperatures will cause Dubia roaches to become sluggish and inactive. However, at warmer temperatures, your roaches will be more active: They will eat more, grow quickly, and propagate. To achieve the higher temperature, you can use a reptile heat tape or mat. We advise against using any heat lamp. In addition to the warmer temperatures, also keep the enclosure’s humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent. This best creates their ideal natural environment.

Pro-tip: Our Roach Start Kits make it easy for you to start your Dubia roach colony with everything you need. Choose your quantities of female and male roaches, water crystals, roach chow, and full sheet egg cartons.

If you have any questions about starting your colony, resolving a breeding problem, or caring for your roaches in general, please do not hesitate to reach out.

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