As sad as it sounds this is kind of fun for me. I have raised reptiles for almost 20 years and the roaches are a change of pace. I buy the bran from a local feed store ($5.00 for 50 pounds) and I do not freeze it, although that might not be a bad ideal. After much research I try and keep the substrate pretty low. (1 inch). I do not even bother putting in a food dish. Just mix ground foods and they eat whatever and the rest blends with the bran. I do put the fruits and veggies and water on a dish or on a 2x4. I use the 2x4 to separate a small section of the cage where I put some moss. This is usually where I spray a little water every other day. When I clean I can just use the moss over again. Another helpful hint: when cleaning a roach cage there is a very good chance you will not get all the babies. Clean on a garbage day so and babies left in the substrate will be delivered to the dumps. Don't feel bad for the dumps. These roaches are tropical and will not last long outside. Plus it is way to cold for them to breed. With the non-climbers I have an old cricket sifter which works very well, but the lobsters are a major pain. Usually I move there eggs crates which hold most of them then add another egg crate. It takes a few days but everyday go in and knock them off that crate into the new cage. Also spraying some water on the egg crate will sometimes get them on it and then you can move them. Last but not least get out all the adult and let the babies grow till they are easier to remove then clean out the cage. So you can see the differance between the two. Non-climbers about an hour to clean, lobsters several days to weeks. you may want to ask the person you bought them from to see what they do. They might have a better method.

James

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• ? for you james about lobster roaches again - LindsayMarie, Fri Jun 6 20:21:18 2003
• RE: ? for you james about lobster roaches again - James Tu, Mon Jun 9 09:39:34 2003
• RE: One more thing. - James Tu, Mon Jun 9 09:48:23 2003
• Thanks James.... (more) - LindsayMarie, Mon Jun 9 15:29:25 2003
• RE: Thanks James.... (more) - James Tu, Mon Jun 9 17:30:08 2003