Dubia watering

[Terranaut]

So I have had my colony for a bit now and have been using water gel for a water supply. I have read some stuff on this gel that make me want to use something more organic. I don't want to put actual water in the cage because they drown in it. Can I use a fruit or vegetable for water supply? What do you use?

[infernalis]

fresh banana and juicy stuff like tomatoes, squash, apples, pears, oranges....

[Terranaut]

So wayne you don't suppliment water otherwise?
Ever get fruit fly issues?

[infernalis]

So wayne you don't suppliment water otherwise?
Ever get fruit fly issues?

Yes and yes.

I have one of those cricket water bowls with the ramps molded right in, but I often forget to fill it.

To avoid fruit flies, change out the fruit once in the morning, and once at night.

I forgot the fruit once for three days, it got moldy and I lost a lot of roaches.

[Terranaut]

Great info. Thanks Wayne!

[jaleely]

i have thought of using something other than water crystals, but reality is i want something that doesn't take a lot of time dealing with. i have my dog food dishes of food, and my water crystal bowls. I used to check on them once or twice a day (i now have a huge tub, and a small tub full of roaches) but i've been sick, working more, and i have more animals so sometimes only once at night quickly or every other night do i check on them : (
Crystals are just easier.

i've heard you can get the pouches, or different *kinds* of crystals that may be better than others. I got mine (almost gone so i'm going to have to order more soon) from a place that says everything is healthy, they do roach food that's supposed to have all kinds of vitamins and minerals etc in it.
I do sometimes pour water in, when the crystals get low, and i have not once had a roach drown, even the babies. As long as they can reach something or there's a sponge or whatever, they can crawl out and not drown.

[bigbubbagumper6]

Another alternative is just a plain kitchen sponge. You have to make sure it doesn't have any kind of anti-bacterial or soaps integrated into the sponge already (just a plain cheap sponge). Just get it soaked then put it in the roach cage. They will suck water from it just like they do the gel and when it's dry all you have to do is wet it again...

[beardeds4life]

Another alternative is just a plain kitchen sponge. You have to make sure it doesn't have any kind of anti-bacterial or soaps integrated into the sponge already (just a plain cheap sponge). Just get it soaked then put it in the roach cage. They will suck water from it just like they do the gel and when it's dry all you have to do is wet it again...

These tend to grow bacteria so will have to be cycled through.

[jarich]

I use zucchini and other squash for a water supply. They seem to be able to go longer without molding than most other fruit and vegetable.

[KORBIN5895]

Citrus fruit doesn't mold.

[Terranaut]

Yup I have been using fruit. I just change it out daily. They live clementines.

[jausi]

I use lettuce or carrots for source of wather and feed them cat food, I also trow a small piece of bread that drives them crazy and they started to breed

[SpOoKy]

I feed all fruits and vegetables. I also put a piece of double sided tape on the lid of my dubai tub in case i get any fruit fly's in there.

[DragonsEye]

An oldish thread but ... I currently just use fruits (like apple cores, etc) or crunchy/juicy veggies. So far no issues. In the past I have used the gels or even a little water "dish". Roaches are incredibly adaptable., IME.

I would not recommend the sponge method -- as pointed out a wet sponge makes an excellent breeding ground for bacteria and molds.


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[Falconeer999]

My roach colony will be arriving tomorrow. Will be used to feed a bearded dragon and leopard gecko.

I see you all mentioning fruits and veggies - do you provide any other source of food? I keep seeing people mention cat food (some say to grind it up, others don't) and other combinations of wheat and oats and other stuff.

Or should I start a new thread on this?

[Lankyrob]

A new thread would probably get more responses ;)

I used to have a base of dry cat food and muesli and then feed fruit and veg on a daily basis.

[Terranaut]

Like Rob said I use a crushed cat food and fresh fruit replaced every 2 day (fruit only dry stuff stays for weeks) and it works perdectly.

[jarich]

IF you are going to use a processed food, Id recommend a good, top quality dog food instead of the cat food. Roaches do not require a high protein diet, and it has been shown that high protein diets actually make them less healthy as a feeder item. Generally cat food is much higher in protein than dog food, so its overkill.