Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have made up my mind to start raising some death head roaches (Blaberus craniifer). Any thoughts or hints? I am now looking for a quality source.

Thank you,

Brian

I started off with healthy adults from Carolina Biological Supply. They will send you keeping info too. They have the proper USDA permits to ship them. I kept mine in a big plastic sweaterbox with several inches of pine shavings at around 80F. The nymphs can climb well, so you'll need a tight screen lid. I fed them a variety of grains, soft veggies, salad leftovers, fruits, bone meal, and they bred well. Misted slightly to keep them from getting too dried out by heat.

I think I'm the only anti-roach guy here in the forum but I say, "BEWARE"!

They will multiply quickly, escape easily, my chams hated them, and they eventually took over living in the frames of my aluminum screen cage. I was forced to submerge the frames of my cage in a bathtub in an effort to stop their proliferation.

As far as care, be very careful since they do climb easily (even plastic containers). Other than that, they will be very hearty no matter what the conditions are. Oh, for those that say they will not multiply since they are tropical in origin, that's not necessarily true. If a few escape in your house, you will have a problem.

I wish I had never tried them out but I guess I had to learn the hard way. Crickets, silkies, horned worms, and meal worms are good enough for me!

Sorry if offended any of the roach lovers. This was just based on my experience and simply my opinion.

Good luck~
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1.0 Ambanja 9 mos. - LESTER
0.1 Nosy Be 6 mos. - KUBO

Thats why i made sure mine couldnt climb. My Orange Heads wont be escaping!

Well, considering that not all of us live far enough north to keep roaches from successfully breeding in our houses you are right to be careful. I only found one or two loose in the house over several years, and they never reached adult (breeding age) size because of temps and lack of food (I keep my house clean). If you don't free range insects of this type (I don't) you will have few if any escapes. But you are also right to try and get a small number to see if your chams will even eat them first. Remember, chams are often suspicious of new foods so it might take a while. Some like them and some don't.