Roach vs Cricket!
Why feed dubia?
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Crickets have a much shorter life span of about 9 weeks compared to the dubia roach that can live up to 2 years.
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Roaches in general are have less oder than crickets.
Due to the crickets short 9 week life span, that awful smell is coming from the deceased decaying crickets.
Well kept roaches live much longer than crickets and roach keepers find that deceased roaches do not produce the horrible smell that crickets do.
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Dubia Roaches Absorb Moisture from Food. Unlike crickets, which dehydrate quickly, dubia roaches can sustain hydration by consuming water-rich foods such as carrots, oranges, apples, and leafy greens.
Higher Natural Moisture RetentionDubia roaches have a thick exoskeleton and a slower metabolism compared to other feeder insects, meaning they do not lose water as quickly. This makes them more resilient to dehydration, even in drier conditions.
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Standing water is risky for insects as they can drown easily.
Dubia roaches hydrate efficiently through moisture in their food and hydration gels, making hydration simple and mess-free.
Minimal Maintenance Required!
Unlike crickets, which often need frequent misting or water sources, dubia roaches stay hydrated longer with simple, nutrient-rich foods, reducing the need for extra care before feeding. -
Despite adult male dubia roaches having wings, they cannot fly. They may flutter if dropped, but they do not take off or glide like other insects.
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No, dubia roaches do not jump. Unlike crickets, which can leap out of enclosures and escape easily, dubia roaches stay grounded, making them much easier to handle.
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No, dubia roaches cannot climb slick surfaces like glass or plastic. This makes them much easier to contain than crickets, which can climb and jump out of enclosures.
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Roaches may have chewing mandibles but they can not bite. This is due to their body construction with their head tilted and tucked under their shell. This makes it very hard for those mandibles to come in contact with human skin or your animals.
Left over crickets on the other hand, if left in your enclosure can harm your animals. While it causes no harm to leave vegetables in your reptiles cage for a day or two, allow crickets to roam freely they may nibble on your animal, spread pathogens and elevate your reptiles stress level.
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Roaches are silent their entire lives, the only noise they make is a quiet rustling as they eat and move around their enclosure.
Small juvenile crickets are soundless but adults are not. We all know the fun of loud cricket chirps at 3am in the morning when you can’t fall back to sleep.
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Roaches do not carry pinworms or any other type of parasite!
Pinworms are sometimes reported in reptiles by those who feed crickets as feeders.
Dubia Roaches are more nutritious
It’s generally excepted that reptiles require relatively high protein and low fat. While they need vitamins and minerals among the most important of these are calcium and phosphorus at the appreciate 2 to 1 ratio, vitamin d and vitamin a.
Roaches tend to have 10% more protein, 4-5 % more fat and a 0.4:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio. Both roaches and crickets may require additional calcium supplementation, but the dubia roach requires less.
High Meat to shell ratio
Dubia roaches offer more nutrient-dense meat than crickets due to their higher meat-to-shell ratio. While adult dubia have a firm exoskeleton, most of their body mass is protein-rich and digestible.
Crickets, with their long, fragile legs, provide less edible meat and frequently lose limbs, making them harder to feed. Additionally, dubia roaches come in a wider range of sizes, from tiny nymphs to adults that can be four times larger than crickets.
A single adult dubia roach delivers the same meat content as 4 to 4 crickets, making them a more efficient and nutritious feeder for reptiles and insectivorous pets.
Dubia Raoches are easier to House & Handel
No Escapes! When kept in a proper enclosure with smooth walls and a secure lid, dubia roaches won’t escape.
No Loose Insects in Your Home - Crickets that escape can live up to 9 weeks, chirping and hiding in your home. Dubia roaches won’t roam or infest your home.
No Risk of Infestation - Dubia roaches do not survive in most temperate climates, making them unlikely to breed or spread in homes.
Dubias are cleaner & easier to feed
Roaches are a safer and cleaner choice to feed your pet due to their inability to climb slick surfaces roaches can be fed in a dish or container isolating your animal from the roach and allowing you to accurately know how many roaches your reptile has consumed.
The Roach Cafe Difference
At Roach Cafe, we’re dedicated to providing healthy, robust Dubia roaches for your animals.
Whether you’re feeding a pet or two, starting a small colony for occasional feedings or building a large-scale breeder operation, our roaches come ready to thrive.
For further questions or guidance, feel free to reach out to us.
