Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All, I am having some problems with my Orange Headed Roaches. I had only 30 in a large Sterilite container with screen in the lid, egg crates, plenty of food( cat food, dog food, fish food, oats, chicken laying mash, greens , carrots apple and a wet paper towel. ( keep in mind just a little bit of each item seperate from each other) Temps are usually in the 80's and occassionally goes close to the 90's ( they live in the reptile room) The coolest it has been has been in the high 70's during the night. I first noticed one orange head on his back and I tryed to turn him over but its like he is top heavy and he flips back on his back. I thought maybe thats how they molt so I left him alone and he died. Now I have several doing that all at the same time. Please tell me what could be going on. I also have three other types of roaches kept in the same room and none of them are doing this.Thanks, Deb
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SACRED CREATURES
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Our T's

1 Guyana Pink Toe(Avicularia avicularia)
1 Honduras Curly Hair(Brachypelma albopilosum)
1 Mexican Redknee(Brachypelma smithi)
1 Chaco Golden Knee(Grammostola aureostriata)
1 Chilean Rose Hair(Grammostola rosea)
1 Costa Rican Zebra(Aphonopelma seemanni)

Our Exotic Roaches

Lots and Lots of:
Madagascar Hisser Roach(Gromphador portentosa)
Orange Headed Roach(Eublaberus prosticus)
Guyana Orange Spotted Roach(Blaptica dubia)
Lobster Roach(Nauphoeta cinerea)

And

2 Rhinoceros Beetles(Dynastinae...)

I've had roaches do the same thing; luckily it wasn't the whole colony of roaches. I would suspect low humidity levels or food contaminated with bacteria/mold. Also, pesticides can cause similar symptoms. Some roach species are more resilient to pesticides than others. Also, some roaches are more competitive with food & the weaker ones get nothing; this can cause some die-offs.

Your temps seem to be within range, so I doubt that would cause a problem.

Goodluck resolving it. Post if you find the cause, as it may help others with this problem.