[jakemyster44]

I read several months ago about dubias, and ended up buying some from various dubia breeders. I suspect my colony to be up to 800 or so in number. I have 85 adult females, and 40 adult males. The colony is reproducing, but with all my breeders and hatchling leopard geckos this year, it won't keep up and give me a constant supply of 1" or so nymphs for the adults. I realize this can easily be fixed by allowing the colony to grow without feeding out of it for several months. I have decided that that is what I will do.
My delema comes in when I have to decide what to feed the geckos while the dubias are building up their colony. I know that mealies are an inexpensive alternative, but many of my new hatchlings (and several adults) will not accept mealworms. Crickets will be accepted by all of my geckos, but I hate dealing with them as they smell and are loud and anoying. I have been reading up on different roach species (less expensive than dubias) and have had my eye on lateralis roaches. I know that they are not many peoples favorite roach to deal with (they are so fast!) but I wouldn't mind dealing with them for a bit. I found a breeder where I can get 1,000 for a very nice price. I figure that I could just get 1,000 large nymphs (3/4"-1") from them, keep them in a bin and start feeding them off. At the rate they breed and the amount of them I would start out with, I wouldn't be suprised if they began breeding and establishing themselves. Do you think this sounds like a good plan to you?
There are a few things that DO concern me about the lateralis though, the main one is this. I live in Northern Ohio, we get temps in the 90's in the summer, and temps below freezing in the winter. Would it be possible for any escaped roaches to infest my house? I have not had any trouble with dubias, but they are much slower, and easy to catch (not that they ever get out). Thanks for reading,
Jake

[Riverside Reptiles]

I breed both dubia and lateralis and use both on a regular basis for leos with no problems. My leos seem to prefer lateralis actually. Their speed seems to stimulate a better feeding response. I live in southern Va where it's warm and humid much of the year and have never had an issue with either species of roach infesting my house in the 5 or so years that I've been working with them. I think that you'll find having two types of roach around a benefit to your collection.

[jakemyster44]

Thanks for the reply. It seems that the Lateralis should feed my leos for quite a while, certainly enough for my dubia colony to grow! Once they turn into adult roaches, I will leave the females in so that they begin breeding. With 2,000 lateralis, I woud certainly imagine that I wont be able to feed them off before they begin breeding. They should be valuable to have around for viper gecko babies as well (if I end up getting a pair).