Identifying Issues in Your Dubia Roach Colony

If you suspect a breeding problem within your Dubia roach colony, the first place to look is your Dubias’ environment. Dubia roaches are notoriously sensitive to their surroundings—this includes the temperature, humidity, and amount of light in their enclosure. We’re going to dive right into the two most common questions surrounding Dubia roach breeding.

Why haven’t your roaches started to breed yet?

First-time Dubia roach breeders often mistake an absence of breeding for a problem. It will take time to see the first signs of reproduction after you start your Dubia roach colony. Females will mate about 5 days after adult emergence, but it can take an average of 65 days after that for the female to birth her nymphs. These cycles should happen one right after the other for the duration of each female’s lifespan: Mating, followed by 65 days of gestation, then giving birth. However, this timing assumes that the females have not been stressed at all within their environment. If the females have been stressed due to temperature shifts or inconsistent humidity levels in their enclosure, this can delay the start of reproduction.

If you are still worried about why your Dubias have not begun to breed, reference our past blog for steps you can take to ensure the best possible conditions for roach reproduction.

Why is breeding taking so long?

Again, any issues with breeding can usually be attributed to stress. And, for Dubia roaches, any stress will be caused by environmental factors. Make sure that the humidity level in your colony stays within the 40 to 60 percent range, and that the temperature remains between 80 and 90 degrees. If temperatures are too high, reproduction can slow. While it is natural for the temperature in the enclosure to drop slightly at night, the fewer temperature fluctuations the better. Colder temperatures can also have a negative impact on breeding. Not only will your females reproduce less frequently, but they will likely give birth to fewer nymphs. Females typically birth about 25 nymphs each reproductive cycle, but that number could be lower.

Another issue that could slow breeding has to do with your roaches’ diet. Dubia roaches need enough food and the right food. The balance of protein and carbohydrates is very important for Dubias. If they do not get enough protein in their diet, it is possible that they could eat their offspring—and that is definitely not what you want! Make sure your roaches are being offered high-quality sources of protein and carbohydrates such as our premium roach chow. You can also offer fruits like apples and bananas and vegetables like leafy romaine lettuce and carrots. Be sure your roaches are fed on a regular schedule.

The ABDragons team is here to support your efforts to breed Dubia roaches. Let us know if we can provide any additional information.

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