Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is raising roaches in California legal?

I've seen it mentioned that it is not legal, but then I see people selling them in stores. And then some I see places on the internet sell them and they are based in California also. lol.

So does anyone know where I can find out if it is legal or not? I'm interested in learning about raising roaches (possibly orange heads), but don't want to get my hopes up just to find out that I could get in trouble

I asked the same question about 2 months ago but can't find the link to it. Basically the conclusion is, no, what you keep as feeders is not legal. Even hissers were not listed on the list of insects that can cross the CA border, but somehow they and many other insects are for sale in many pet stores. So, if they do take action against you, they acutally had to find out somehow you had them and care to have the time to do something about it. Make sure you choose species you can keep housed properly to prevent escape and possible infestations. Also keep in mind that you won't be able to sell your roaches (excluding hissers which are sold openly) to pet/reptile shops. You could always ship excess to others to locally to other people like yourself. If anyone else has insight or a legal point of view, please share.
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- Juli
Polliwog Design - Under construction.

what are the roaches for?
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0.1 Rubber Boa
1.1 Eastern Hognose Snakes
1.1 Western Hognose Snakes
1.0 Durango Mountain Kingsnake
1.0 California Kingsnake
1.1 Woma's (new!)
Spadefoot
Black Knobbed Sawback
Northern Diamondback
Florida Redbellied Slider
Australian Redbellied Side Neck
Western Painted
Southern Painted
1.0 African Hedgehog
1.0 Sulcata
2.1 Leopard (Babcocki) 1.0 borrowed (thanks Bobby)
2 Plecos
2 Silver Dollars
3 Bosemian Rainbows
2 Clown Loaches
1 African Dwarf Frog
1 Khuli Loach
1 Cory Cat
1 Upside Down Catfish
2.0 Fire Guramis

uhh... I think that is it.