Dubia roaches (Blaptica dubia) are one of the most popular feeder insects for insect-eating pets such as reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Their nutritional profile, ease of care, and ability to be gut-loaded make them an excellent choice for feeding your pets. However, their diet directly impacts their health and the nutrition they provide to your pets. Feeding your dubia roaches the right foods is essential, while avoiding harmful foods is equally important.

This guide will cover what you should and should not feed your dubia roaches to ensure they remain healthy and nutritious for your pets.

Dubia roaches are scavengers and can consume a wide variety of foods. Their diet should be well-rounded to provide the best nutrition for them, which translates to optimal nutrition for your pets. A combination of high-quality commercial roach chow and fresh fruits and vegetables is the ideal diet for dubia roaches.

When feeding dubia roaches, keep the following in mind:

To prevent mold or bacterial growth. Mold can be a significant threat to the health and well-being of a dubia roach colony. As a fungus, mold thrives in warm, humid environments, which are also ideal conditions for breeding dubia roaches. While dubia roaches are generally hardy, mold poses both direct and indirect risks to their health and the productivity of the colony. Bacteria are a natural part of the environment, but harmful or uncontrolled bacterial growth in a dubia roach colony can lead to serious health issues for the roaches and compromise the safety of the pets that consume them. Understanding the risks bacteria pose and how to manage them is essential for maintaining a healthy colony.

•  , typically in the form of water crystals, to prevent drowning.

If your roaches are part of a breeding colony. Protein is an essential component of a dubia roach's diet, especially for breeding colonies. However, excessive protein can have negative consequences for both the roaches and the pets that consume them.

Dubia roaches thrive on a balanced diet with 15–25% protein as part of their total nutritional intake. This range supports healthy growth, reproduction, and overall well-being.

What Happens When Protein Levels Are Too High?

Feeding dubia roaches a diet with protein levels exceeding 30–35% can lead to problems such as:

1. Ammonia Buildup :

   • High-protein diets can result in increased excretion of nitrogen waste, which breaks down into ammonia.
   • Ammonia can accumulate in poorly ventilated enclosures, causing respiratory stress and potentially killing the roaches.

2. Reduced Breeding Success :

   • Overfed protein can disrupt reproductive processes, reducing fertility and egg production.

3. Shorter Lifespan :

   • Excess protein can stress the roaches’ systems, leading to premature death and impacting colony sustainability.

If dubia roaches are fed an overly high-protein diet, this imbalance can carry over to the pets that consume them, potentially causing health problems:

1. Gout in Reptiles

• Gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints and kidneys.
• Pets like reptiles that consume feeder insects with high protein levels are more likely to develop this painful condition, particularly if hydration is inadequate.

2. Digestive Issues

• Overly high-protein roaches may be harder for pets to digest, leading to bloating, impaction, or diarrhea.
• Smaller pets or species with sensitive digestive systems may be especially affected.

3. Nutritional Imbalance

• Feeder insects with excessive protein may lack the balance of fats, carbohydrates, and other nutrients pets need.
• This can lead to long-term deficiencies or health problems, even if the diet appears nutritionally rich.

Dubia roaches thrive on a diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Here are some of the best foods to feed them:

A high-quality roach chow is the foundation of a good dubia roach diet. Choose a chow specifically formulated for dubia roaches, such as Dubi Deli's Roach Chow , which has been refined over 15 years to optimize roach health and nutrition. A well-formulated chow contains the right balance of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.

Fruits are an excellent source of hydration and natural sugars, which provide energy. Offer them sparingly to prevent overloading on sugar. Good options include:

• Apples (seedless)
• Bananas
• Papaya
• Mango
• Pears
• Blueberries
• Grapes (cut in half)

Avoid citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, as they are acidic and can harm the roaches.

Vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making them a staple for gut-loading dubia roaches. Great choices include:

• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Squash
• Zucchini
• Kale
• Spinach
• Collard greens
• Bell peppers

Grains provide a stable energy source and fiber. You can feed dubia roaches:

• Rolled oats
• Bran flakes
• Whole-grain bread (in small amounts)

If you are breeding dubia roaches, a high-protein diet is critical to support reproduction. Include:

• Fish flakes
• Bee pollen
• Boiled eggs (mashed and offered in moderation)

While dubia roaches are hardy, certain foods can be harmful or even fatal. Avoid the following:

Processed foods are often loaded with preservatives, salt, and sugar, which are detrimental to dubia roaches. Avoid:

• Chips
• Candy
• Sugary cereals
• Bread with added sugar

Fruits and vegetables treated with pesticides or chemicals can harm your roaches and, consequently, your pets. Always wash produce thoroughly or use organic produce.

Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits are too acidic for dubia roaches. Acidic foods can disrupt their digestive system and harm their health.

The inclusion of citrus fruits in the diet of Dubia roaches (Blaptica dubia) is a topic of debate among enthusiasts and experts. While some sources suggest that Dubia roaches enjoy citrus fruits like oranges and tangerines.   Others recommend caution due to potential adverse effects on the roaches and the animals that consume them.

No matter how you slice it, best to avoid it as they can get plenty of nutrition from other food.  Why risk it!

• Digestive Sensitivity in Reptiles: Some reptiles may experience digestive issues when consuming prey that has been gut-loaded with citrus fruits. To prevent discomfort in your pets, it's advisable to avoid feeding citrus to Dubia roaches intended as feeders.

  
  

• Acidity Levels: The high acidity in citrus fruits can disrupt the digestive systems of Dubia roaches, potentially leading to health problems.

  
  

• Avoid Citrus in Gut-Loading: To ensure the well-being of both your Dubia roaches and the animals that consume them, it's best to exclude citrus fruits from the roaches' diet, especially during gut-loading phases.

• Opt for Alternative Fruits and Vegetables: Provide a variety of other fruits and vegetables that are safe and nutritious for Dubia roaches, such as apples, bananas, carrots, and leafy greens.

Onions and garlic contain several compounds that make them harmful to dubia roaches and many other insects. These compounds can interfere with the health and function of roaches' bodies and even have toxic effects. Here's a closer look at why onions and garlic should be avoided in a dubia roach's diet:

 Sulfur Compounds

Onions and garlic contain sulfur-based compounds such as:

• Allicin (found in garlic): This compound is produced when garlic is crushed or chopped. It is toxic to many small organisms, including insects, due to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which can disrupt biological processes in roaches.
• Thiosulfates (found in onions and garlic): These compounds are known to be toxic to insects, as well as to some animals like dogs and cats. They can interfere with the digestion and metabolism of dubia roaches.

Acidity

Onions and garlic are slightly acidic, and while dubia roaches are hardy, their digestive systems are not well-suited to handle acidic foods. The acidic nature of these foods can irritate their digestive tract and impair nutrient absorption.

Anti-Microbial Properties

Both onions and garlic have natural antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. While these are beneficial for humans, they can harm the beneficial gut bacteria in dubia roaches. These bacteria are essential for proper digestion and nutrient processing in roaches.

Avocado, and by extension persin, is harmful to dubia roaches and other feeder insects. Feeding dubia roaches avocado can lead to health issues, and those toxins could potentially transfer to your pets, especially if they are small or sensitive to dietary toxins.

To keep your feeder insects and pets healthy, avoid feeding dubia roaches any part of the avocado. Stick to safe, nutritious alternatives like leafy greens, carrots, and fruits free from toxins.

Persin is a natural fungicidal toxin found in avocados, specifically in the leaves, bark, skin, and pits of the fruit. It is a fatty acid derivative and serves as a natural defense mechanism for the avocado plant against fungi.

Toxicity of Persin

• To Animals: Persin is toxic to many animals, including birds, horses, cattle, goats, rabbits, and rodents. Symptoms of persin toxicity in animals can include:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fluid accumulation around the heart and lungs (pericardial or pleural effusion)
  • Gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea
  • Death in severe cases

While dubia roaches need protein, meats and dairy are inappropriate because they can spoil quickly, leading to mold and bacteria growth. Stick to plant-based protein sources or specially formulated roach chow.

Gut-loading is the process of feeding your dubia roaches a nutrient-rich diet 24–48 hours before offering them to your pets. This ensures that the roaches themselves are highly nutritious. Foods to use for gut-loading include:

• Leafy greens (kale, collards)
• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• High-quality roach chow

Moldy or spoiled food can lead to diseases in your colony. Remove uneaten fresh food within 24 hours, and always provide good ventilation in your roach enclosure.

Dubia roaches need a clean water source to stay hydrated. Use water crystals or moistened sponges to avoid drowning, as dubia roaches cannot drink from an open water dish.

Feeding your dubia roaches a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial for their health and the quality of nutrition they provide to your pets. By combining high-quality roach chow, fresh fruits and vegetables, and occasional protein supplements, you can maintain a thriving colony that produces plump, healthy roaches.

Avoid harmful foods like citrus, processed items, and pesticide-laden produce, and always practice proper hygiene to prevent mold and contamination. With these practices, your dubia roaches will remain a reliable, nutritious, and healthy feeder insect for your beloved pets.