Setting up a Red Runner Roach Colony

Here we have an in depth video of how to set up your very own Red Runner Roach Colony in a cost effective manner, including how to care for them, feed them, transferring them from one home to their next with out losing any !!! Ultimately Breeding them to keep you in a cheap and nourishing endless food source for your spiders.
#Daveslittlebeasties
Video by Dave's Little Beasties don't forget to subscribe - Be Calm, Be Gentle and Love Your Spider

[@invaderzim133]

That sound of them shaking off the egg carton chills me to the bone lol

[@paulaarmendariz8001]

Lol. Mr. Dave, I just realized you have just made two of the best looking roach motels and the biggest roach motels I have ever seen in my life. I could sit here and watch this all day. I love your videos and the system that you have. You are very systematic the way you do things! I love it. You remind me of my father! God rest him! He was such a warm loving man. He had his own way of doing things. He was very precise and meticulous in his day, hour week, Etc. Etc. ! I absolutely loved that about my dad! He knew what he had to do and he damn sure got it done. Nice, neat, clean, correct., calm. Very calm. He was always calm. That's another thing that I find in common. In your beasty slogan , how you tell everyone be calm! That's a very good thing to say; especially with the kind of hobby you have. With those huge creatures you deal with. You absolutely need to stay calm. If not you and the spider both could end up hurt! I know I have let you know before in one of my comments in another video; that I've always been terrified of spiders. And no body knows why I'm ultra freaked out by them. I have been known to break out in tears and to have had many asthma attacks! It gets really bad at times. But I have to hand it to you; Mr. Dave , since I began watching your videos over a year ago. My phone has been through hell and back. Lol. : since I cautiously began watching your videos my phone took quite a beating some times. If a spider took a quick move or made a threat pose from time to time I was scared and kinda jersey with my phone in hand. Couple of times dropped it completely. I kinda feel silly now. But to get back to matters; I'm not a united so she'll shocked anymore. I've noticed that I'm much more calmed and relaxed. I've even been better about how I deal with the occasional spider in my house. Before it was kill, kill, kill. Now it's more move em back outside. I'm not so murder happy as before & that's a" HUGE MOVE" for me. Even my family have noticed. My kids are like, mom, are you ok? What happened to you and the spiders? I told them about what I've been doing and they applauded me! But, the credit does not go to me. That credit goes every drop to you Dave. You are a wonderful teacher and educater of those things that go bump in the night. I can actually co habitate around spiders now and not feel that often paralyzing fear. I don't have as much fear . I do have a much sharper respect for them. I don't freak like before out when a large spider surprises me while outside in their world. I don't exactly love them but I do have a very healthy respect for yhem. Some of them are so very elaborate and some are so very beautiful. And all of them are absolutely unique! So I wanted to tell you : Thank you for teaching me so much about The Big Spiders In Our World. Thank you.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Its awsome how far you have come Paula, so glad you have stuck with the videos and enjoyed the content and thank you for your kind words I really do appreciate your support and you deserve the credit for facing your fears and overcoming them keep it up and I wish you a happy new year my friend ❤️❤️❤️👍

[@aaronvasquezmma]

This is a great video 👏

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Glad you think so!

[@commercialelectrician133]

Great video

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thanks!

[@sandramullen7804]

You forgot to put the meal feed in the second one 😅 . R did I miss it 😮Looks great tho. So fast.

[@fuzzy_mates.christopher.8129]

Just before you separated them, I'm Wondering who freaks out more 🤣 the abundance of roaches in the main tub climbing over each other or the handful left In the original tub wondering where the hell everyone and the egg crates went 🤣😂

[@daveslittlebeasties]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@ichbinsympathisch]

I learn everyday from your Videos, thx Dave for your informativ Videos, from Afghanistan🇦🇫♥️

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thats awsome and welcome to our channel ❤️👍

[@edgufler1122]

Dang Dave. I haven't seen so many roaches in all my LIfe. I might have to call you the Roach King. You are very successful in keeping and raising them. You'll never have to worry about feeders for your Spiders and other things you keep.

[@rodrigosardinha2090]

Been falling your things on facebook, but now its better! thank you for the tips and all that! keep doing great vids!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

thanks for your support I really appreciate it.

[@tarantulashepherds9849]

Mind blown your the best on youtube! Thank you from Wa State USA

[@daveslittlebeasties]

❤❤❤❤

[@s00gee]

That's some great information! I can see that I'm going to have to add red runners to my feeder farm. I've fed Dubias before, but they just hide so well that they end up being permanent residents in whatever tank I drop them in. This looks like a better plan. Thank you!

[@foxybrown1g]

Anyone else scream at the screen, “You forgot the chick feed in the 2nd tub Dave!”? LOL. I swear, the stuff I notice, RME’s! 🙄

[@lauriefulk3812]

Yeah me too

[@fiegled]

Yep!

[@justinellis8864]

Thanks so much for making this video Dave. I'm now going to try and set up my first colony! So helpful mate. so grateful. I had no idea how to do it! 👍👍👍

[@HamDX2LVG]

Awesome, great vid and very informative I love it.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

thank you much appreciated

[@klaj6595]

I cannot believe how loud the sound was when they were all moving at the bottom of the bin 🤯

[@AgeOrmstad]

Sweet 🤙

[@jordantucker9799]

transfer box looks straight outta from a horror movie.

[@SherilynMoen-v8p]

If i could handle roaches i would try it, but roaches are scarier then spuders for me.

[@a1genetics580]

Thanks mr dave

[@thesilkkradle9558]

you are brilliant.. every keeper should be following you.. well done mate.. everyone should take more than a few leaves from your page.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@vickiezaccardo1711]

I really hate roaches so feeding them to your beasties works for me. Seeing and ' hearing that tub of roaches...😳

[@Lexi-vp5kk]

I've never heard of this species, only dubias. Thank you for the introduction, quite interesting

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you for watching 👍

[@akarisawada1]

If you have spiders they are better than dubia roaches. Dubia like to play dead and burrow which can make feeding a pain. Spiders need movement and a roach playing dead or burrowing doesn’t make it easy :(

[@TheFrederik1970]

Nice one with the heat mat ..... i am trying to copy this in 2 weeks time :-)

[@daveslittlebeasties]

They dont like it as warm as the dubias so just monitor them as you go.👍

[@Markthespiderguy386]

Brilliant Dave thank you definitely going to have a go

[@daveslittlebeasties]

cool buddy once you got them going you will wonder how you ever managed without them

[@Markthespiderguy386]

Really appreciate your help Dave thanks again

[@JEREMIELEE]

👌👍

[@monsieurwolf6122]

Very informative video. I've been keeping red-runners for over a year without much success. Although I think the lack of a heatmat is what I attribute to being the main issue as I had a population explosion last summer but very few nymphs since autumn despite there being hundreds of ooths. After a clean out last week, I have since added a heatmat to the bottom where the majority of egg cases lie and hope the issue will be resolved in a few weeks.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Yes sounds like your on the right track heat will make a difference, also keep the males down as they will eat the babies, this is one of the reasons I feed mainly males to my spiders.

[@davidkirton6462]

Great vid dave keep them comming

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thanks matey👍

[@RUFUSVIDEOEDITOR]

This is awesome how is he doing there this is so cool I love it

[@ctmeiodia]

Parabéns pelo video Um belo conteúdo para varias pessoals no you tube

[@classonglass]

Great video thank you….do they eat the bran too?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Yes a little

[@ctmeiodia]

Novo escrero também

[@DW-zg2oy]

Great video, thank you! I already have a small dubia roach colony, but just recently started buying red runners for my chameleon (so much better than crickets because these are so quiet and docile!), can't wait to try the setup you've shown. 🙌

[@LordHegyi]

Your video is Brilliant! i have dubia roaches and after your video i think about having red runners too! thank you very much, i hope you make more videos in future!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

So nice of you thank you for your kind words theres plenty more videos coming.

[@LordHegyi]

Dave's Little Beasties actually you do sell some of your red runners like a starter colony or you keep them for your self like unlimited food bank ?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

@@LordHegyi Yes i do sell them you can contact me through facebook Dave Fisher.👍

[@dreal500]

God bless your wife man. I'm pretty sure she's cool with all this. Hahahhahaha. Great videos as usual. The sound is just crazy. Wow. Lol

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thanks 👍

[@rosebudsue3056]

Your green shoelaces scared the shit out of me! Thought they were other beasties that got lose and were crawling up your legs.....

[@stevet73]

Great vid mate have dubia colony but thinking about runners great content keep it up 👍🏻

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Cheers I keep Dubia as well👍

[@GeensGaming]

Brilliant video Dave!! I really need to start this as i have amounted a large collection this year and certainly the assassin bugs that are breeding like crazy are adding to the fact im going through the livefood loads now! :)

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Message me through facebook bud I have plenty for sale , Dave Fisher

[@GeensGaming]

@@daveslittlebeasties Thanks Dave! I will message you :)

[@ashlee730]

Do they self regulate at all? What do you do if they end up breeding more than you need? I can just imagine a huge exponential growth with these guys that would eventually outgrow what you need for feedings.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Just cool them down and they will stop breeding 👍

[@ashlee730]

@@daveslittlebeasties ok cool that’s perfect!

[@stuartSteele-tarantulaman]

Thanks for the great videos. Just wanted to ask at the end of the video when you spoilt the colony, what do you do with the old substrate in the original cage you split the colony from? Do you remove any eggs etc from there or just throw the old bran away? Thanks

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I normally keep it for a week or two with a couple of egg crate in there for the fresh hatch to climb on then discard it once there no more hatching👍

[@steph7349]

Really helpful video thanks! How did you deal with the ones left in the original box and the egg cases in the old egg trays?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I leave egg crate in the box for a couple of days to collect up any newly hatched 👍

[@reptiletailz108]

No but i was screaming when 2 diff at least roaches went flying across his room

[@edgufler1122]

Good video Dave. I love red runners as feeders .. but can't get them shipped into my state of Florida US.. ban on them being shipped into Florida. But I can get a type of roach shipped to me called Discoid roaches ... they are allowed : )

[@dizzydeewilson220]

Can I ask how often you have to put the piece orange, chick feed and greens in for the colony please

[@daveslittlebeasties]

daily

[@PlexippusPark]

I'm very allergic to bran and mealworms. what kind of beddings csn I use instead?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Some have kept them on soil ?

[@HadesHGK]

Great videos Dave just wondering where you get your bran from?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Any country stoiore or horse yard will have it 👍

[@erikahodson6881]

Luca Hodson

[@KevMacG]

Wow....They look alot faster than the Dubais!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

They are pretty quick😂

[@KevMacG]

@@daveslittlebeasties I think I would end up chasing them about the house when getting some out for feeding 🙈 Once I have got the Dubais down, I will make the switch to the reds! Thankyou sir

[@daveslittlebeasties]

@@KevMacG 😂😂👍

[@kirundo]

I've just started my first colony, was a wee bit worried about the cats breaking in, they did free the first cricket colony :O. Why do you only feed males? Is it easy to see the males when they're younger since I have a lot of dwarf Ts and no fully grown big T just yet? Btw, your videos and posts are both educational and so well meaning, love your style! Trying to spread them in our T. communities over here :)

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I feed the males becouse you dont want to many in your colony they are also very active and dont bury down like others do 👍

[@midnight7297]

cool vid, seem a little easier than Dubias I used to keep many years back. If these escape though, can they survive in uk house conditions to actually breed etc and become an infestation?, seems a very likely chance of those tiny babies coming out or falling in the gaps when moving between tubs

[@daveslittlebeasties]

They are not bad and so long as you take precautions you will be fine

[@markcoutts1796]

Great video. Iv been trying to keep red runners for ages as one of my tarantulas will only eat red runners & she's my favourite tarantula. But Iv never had great success breeding them. They make plenty of egg case (ootheca) but the hatch rate isn't great & the babies that do hatch don't really make it to adulthood for some reason but I don't have a heat mat under them - I keep them next to a radiator but maybe that's not keeping them hot enough? I will try to get a heat mat & see if that makes a difference. I feed mine mostly sweet potato & a bit of fish flake now & then. Maybe mine aren't getting enough water in their diet. Stuff to consider... Thanks

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Follow my method and you will breed plenty 👍

[@danth6684]

Could you show us how to deal with crickets if you use them? Cheers

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I can see what we can do 👍

[@additudeobx]

That was enlightening..... amazing actually... so I gotta ask; "How many is enough"? you have 3 large roach farms there... 100 spiders, fed two roaches, twice a week, in one month.... 1600 roaches a month... Does that sound about right?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

One good colony will keep you going 👍

[@kyleplatte4257]

This video was great, I loved the detail you went into. A few questions though, if I’m starting a colony, how many roaches do you recommend I buy? I’m planning on doing a couple colonies a bit smaller than this, as I don’t have room for tubs like that since all my critters have to be in my bedroom. When it comes to that, what’s probably the smallest you would go when it comes to bin height? I won’t be using super tall egg crates like you do, as I have lots and lots of 12 egg cartons laying around. And would you say adult chicken crumble would work? I have adult chickens so being able to just take from their food would be absolutely amazing

[@daveslittlebeasties]

It doesn't matter how tall as long as they cant get to the top , and cut your egg crate accordingly , and yes the chicken pellets are fine too 👍

[@kyleplatte4257]

@@daveslittlebeasties thank you so much. You’re very helpful!!!

[@russellmcintyre8147]

Great video. I’d also be keen to know where you got your shelving unit that you have your enclosures on?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I made it myself mate .

[@russellmcintyre8147]

Dave's Little Beasties that’s why your tanks fit so perfectly! I was considering doing the same. What did you use to make them if you don’t mind me asking?

[@christopherboyd952]

Hello love the channel I am struggling with my colony going to replicate your setup over the weekend, was wonder what is the wheat bran used for and do you incubate the eggs separately or with the colony. Keep up the great work it's so inspiring. Thank you all the way from South Africa.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

The bran just keeps them dry and clean, and I just leave the colony to do its own thing so all egg cases are left in the tub to hatch on their own .

[@christopherboyd952]

@@daveslittlebeasties Thanks so for your reply keep up the amazing work.

[@christopherboyd952]

Hi sorry I was wondering do you possibly have an video regarding breeding I want to start breeding my tarantulas. I was wondering like the steps before they mate and your nursery pots.

[@duncancoleman8403]

Great Video!. Just subscribed. The Humidity video was great too. I have 5 Ts at the moment and looking to maybe get more. Also interested in rearing my own live food. I would be interested in purchasing some red runners from yourself, if you have any available and you are still able to ship. Cheers

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Hi Duncan, yes I always have roaches available you can contact me through my Facebook page Dave Fisher and you will see my beastie page.👍

[@MyNathan1987]

Great video!!! was thinking of this only the other day, how would you go about starting one though? Just buy a box or 2 of red runners and do this process? I have a collection of 80 tarantulas now so think this would benefit me greatly, top video as always Dave 👍🏻

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thanks Nathan , yes get a couple of boxes of adults set them up like I showed and wait , I would give them a month without using any, once you see them producing just use accordingly , you won't regret it ,save you loads of money.👍

[@MyNathan1987]

Dave's Little Beasties, thanks I’ll do that ! Thanks for the info 👍🏻

[@russiandude319]

Hi! Very informative video. Quick question: can males actually fly?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Yes they can

[@Mortalitis]

How do you handle the stragglers on the bottom of the old tubs? Whack the old crates in and transfer them to the new colonies as and when?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I put a couple of egg crates back in give it 10 minutes there all back on it , then transfer them over.

[@johnhorvath4689]

ive tried your method wheat bran chicken pellets using carrots as for moisture and no go there staying away from the chicken feed now and then eat the carrots unless im doing it wrong (it is winter here in australia) i use the heat mat i have placed it on the side of the tub coz i cant place it on bottom coz its not flat NEED ADVICE i have sent you an you an email before few weeks back

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Sorry I dont get to keep up with my emails , use greens for hydration and tape your heat matt to the back of your container and it should be fine maybe keep them in the bottom of an airing cupboard or similar warm room should kick start them into action 👍

[@JAY.POT.502]

Hey, Nice video mate 👌 I keep aload of crickets and Blaptica Dubia roaches and they are doing well... I brought some "large" red runners a couple of days ago and then some "medium" to feed my smaller P.mettalica... The medium ones are fine,however when I placed the large one in the tub first,I noticed several dead and dying.Then when the medium one's arrived I put them all in together.Ive now noticed over the last couple of days that the large ones are continuing to die and I'm still finding ones which limp around,can't run and look knackered ! The medium ones are OK though. The seller added 5% extra for DEAD ON ARRIVAL runners,but the amount died and looked abit beaten up far exceeds 5%... Is this common for large runners because of their age and maybe they are just on their way out,or would you say there is a problem here? I've set them up exactly as you have,except not on a heat matt as I don't want to breed as I only have 2 poecilotheria at the moment.They get some heat sometimes,as the tub is next to radiator,but it's not full time heat they are getting-they are in a warm room,so room temperature is what they are getting....... Cheers mate,an opinion on why I've had aload of dead ones would be cool 👌👍 James

[@daveslittlebeasties]

It could be age ? or maybe an in bred line ?

[@panch7109]

Is it rice bran that you are using?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

wheat bran

[@douglasstone1684]

Great and simple set up, what temperature do you recommend?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Hi Douglas, I have a 30watt heat matt running without a stat on it but my room sits around 80f and the back of the tubs go up to 90f and they breed like mad I think they could be kept cooler say at 80f I'm not sure the higher temp has altered the breeding any as I have only just changed them over to added heat, my dubias like the extra heat though .

[@douglasstone1684]

@@daveslittlebeasties nice one, looks like I need a heat mat. I've personally never used one, do you just sit the box on it or is the box slightly raised off of it? I have thoughts it might melt the box.

[@markchoryan1187]

New subscriber I’m wanting to start a colony of red runners do you need that extra heat and will it melt the plastic my pet room stays at 85 in summer and round 70 in winter

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Your room should be fine

[@SherilynMoen-v8p]

Could a person put the roaches and mealworms in the same bin. The mealworms woud eat the bran so its not wasting the bran.Could they look ve together

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Never tried ?

[@SherilynMoen-v8p]

Maybe one of your subscribers will try it know. It would be an interesting projects maybe. I would but roaches are just not possible for me.

[@Lee2k4]

So when you take out the dirty trays obviously some have eggs in them, what is the safest way of disposing them without the risk off the eggs hatching

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I leave a couple of egg trays in tub for a week or two and this collects up all the babies that are hatching off which in turn is very useful for sling food , once the hatching stops I just throw away the used bran and rubbish.

[@locktab3815]

Hey Dave, where did you get those boxes from? I can't find any that size anywhere.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Wilkos 👍

[@antoniocesarec9405]

What is that for bedding?

[@drunkunkle8077]

For the eggs to hatch, does need to be high humidity or dry? When i say high humidity i mean with condensation on the containers inside walls or should it be dry?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Theres enough humidity between the egg crates I never let the sides get wet

[@drunkunkle8077]

@@daveslittlebeasties thank you sir, the eggs are hatching

[@anitamitchell3452]

That freaked me out worse than the spiders. I did find it very interesting though. They sounded like a bunch of bees. Breath in breath out. I'll be fine.

[@ariframli1343]

Can we just use dirt instead of bran?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Any substrate that can be kept clean

[@parsons15]

Dayymm.... theres alot there haha.. just see your link on fb... A new follow from me

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Thank you 👍

[@timjung640]

Why not just placed the egg crates alternating so there's no risk of them collapsing into each other?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I want them to be close to each other this gives the babies somewhere to hide 👍

[@Lewis-dv6ct]

Would adding springtails to the colony make it selfcleaning ?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

No I dont think so ? I dont think they could keep up 😂👍

[@chrismuzza8933]

Dave i have just got some red runners to start a colony. I have a 25 watt heat mat i noticed on your video that you tape your mat to a piece of wood and place the container straight on top of it without a thermostat. do you leave an air gap between the container and heat mat or is it straight on top ? Also is there any chance of the mat melting the tub ?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

There is a gap between the tub and the heat matt idealy I would suggest you use a thermostat I can only get away with it in my room becouse I know how it works in there .👍

[@arthurhaines8191]

Hey Dave I love your videos ! :) This is probably going to sound stupid but how do you cut the lids of your enclosures whenever I try they seem to snap ! Thanks 👍

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I use a Stanley knife mate the plastic is quit soft really 👍

[@lisamaynard9304]

I make insulated cat shelters out of totes and I've found the cheaper plastics split much worse. If you have a cheaper plastic you can heat it up with a hair dryer first to make it soft to cut (just make sure you hold the dryer nozzle a few inches away or you'll burn up your dryer or throw a breaker. Also, a box cutter with a new blade is essential! ✌🏻

[@ambertrochelman8437]

Do u think the breed faster then dubia roaches

[@daveslittlebeasties]

About the same I think once fully established ?

[@glenngilbert7389]

So why do you only feed males to your spiders?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Becouse they are numerous and ideal , I do feed the females too just depends what im hoping to achieve 👍

[@ttexoticfeeder]

What do u do with the eggs,sorting them?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

When I clean them out I just leave some egg crates in the empty tub until I stop getting hatching then throw away .👍

[@thehatred9539]

I use dirt for my colony

[@andreweaves9048]

Only have 3 T's doubt I'd ever breed them. Curious to why you split them into different colony's is it to provide them more space?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I decided them to set up a new colony so as to increase the output so n producing more roaches by having four bins I can rotate them .

[@marcotattoo]

hello! are the red runners like the dubia, if they scape will they die?! cheers

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Yes they will perish in the end 👍

[@leberlaszlo2777]

Hi Dave! Great video! May I ask, do you recommend cat food for the red runners?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I only use greens and chicken pellets.

[@leberlaszlo2777]

@@daveslittlebeasties Thanks! :)

[@kenirving5240]

Do you ever find you have way too many? It must be difficult to manage supplies if someone only has one or two spiders!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Just cool them down and they will stop breeding 👍

[@pauljones735]

Where do I buy red runners? I was on Amazon and they don't carry them.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I think most reptile dealers on line supply them .

[@monsieurwolf6122]

Do you keep demerstid beetles in with your red runners? I've heard they'll consume the ooths and are therefore ideal for species like dubia.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I. try not to

[@monsieurwolf6122]

Dave's Little Beasties That's great because I just purged a few hundred yesterday after clearing out my red runners. I found a larvae burrowing into one of the ooths but wasn't sure if that was an already dried ooth. I have noticed how every successful breeder doesn't seem to have many (or any) in with their lateralis colonies. I'm starting to think they're like keeping large isopods with centipedes (a good idea for maintenance, but will most likely end very poorly).

[@hb8ts985]

These are Lateralis-Roaches, right?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Yes they are

[@robmiller6785]

Can someone explain why my red runners have no problem climbing glass or smooth plastic?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

The glass or plastic needs to be clean if its rough in any way they will climb it 👍

[@patrickjohngarcia1198]

how do you separate the small ones from the adults?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I üst filter them out 👍

[@Felicity-T]

Iv just got some chick crumb, well at least that’s what I thought I’d ordered but it’s turned out to be chick starter micros, is this ok to use? It’s tiny pellets but I can crush them up if needed?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Should be fine I would think 👍

[@ethanclark1858]

Hey Dave, I have read that over time people can develop allergies to Red Runners. Although I am dubious with it being people that sell feeders, both my partner and I have very sensitive skin so if it is not just a load of malarkey, I imagine it will effect one or both of us. Any advice?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I have not suffered anything from them , just take sensible precations and you should be fine 👍

[@monsieurwolf6122]

I have a question regarding humidity and ventilation. Since I keep my inverts in an insulated shed with a oil radiator, the humidity usually is at about 30%. Should I still go for the mesh lid setup, or would that be too dry for them? Humidity is a bit difficult to understand with these, as I've read completely conflicting information online.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I find mine do better when dry and yes I would still use a mess or ventilated lid👍

[@monsieurwolf6122]

Dave's Little Beasties Brilliant, thanks for the advice. I only ask as whilst my ooths have been hatching, I have started to notice a few sub-adults and adults randomly die and wondered if the ventilation was insufficient since I have my setup almost identical to yours.

[@mattfrisone3961]

Hey Dave, I'm looking to replicate your model to start my own red runner colony. What size bins do you use?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

70 Litre

[@mattfrisone3961]

@@daveslittlebeasties Awesome thank you sir!

[@chrismuzza8933]

I have had my red runners for nearly a month now i took your advice and used a thermostat with a heat mat keeping them at a constant 82-86f ive recently checked the egg crates and there's loads of oothecas tons of them but no baby's .How long do they take to hatch ? And do i just leave them be or do i have to raise the humidity ? apparently the oothecas can dry out.some sites say raise humidity others say they thrive in dry conditions im confused :-)

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Bring them down to 80f, they will breed cooler too everyones situation is different , the only humidity in mine comes from the greens I put in there , you could also try putting the heat on one side rather than underneath 👍

[@rebel4466]

Depending on your conditions in keeping them, they can take 4-6 weeks to hatch. Don't throw them out too fast. I've also read about people collecting the oothecas, keeping them more humid and nice and warm until they're hatching. But it's not required unless you're keeping them bone dry with basically no humidity at all. What dave said is correct of course. Also the advice of keeping one side warmer is very good. That way they have a choice where they want to drop the ootheca. As they usually "know" best.

[@johnbasten6562]

hii mate do you sell them or are they just to feed your spiders etc? how many spiders ha ve you got?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Hi John , yes I do sell them you can message me through facebook Dave Fisher

[@cardboardbox9977]

Should they be in the dark the majority of the time or does it not matter

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I keep mine out so they get day light and it doesn't seem to bother them unlike my dubias who hate the light .

[@decboy9863]

Do you use regular fruits for your red runners? I'm finding quite a few of my colony dead/dying as of late and was wondering if the cause was from pesticides. It seems to be poisoning since they behave quite sluggish and are often found on their backs. The temperatures are fine and I can't seem to think of any other cause.

[@daveslittlebeasties]

I don't use fruit at all, you may find that your box is too humid becouse of the fruit your feeding they must be kept dry , humidity will kill them , dry them out and only feed layers pellets or chick crumb, and supplement with salad greens and only enough that they will eat in an hour or so, and see how this works👍👍

[@decboy9863]

Dave's Little Beasties Thanks for the advice. Upon reflection, I think the setup I had is way too humid since I had constant pieces of fruit available and changed every other day. I did also add the lettuce leaves and chick crumb, so I was initially confused by the deaths. Do the oothecas have few issues hatching when kept in a dry climate?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

@@decboy9863 Not at all I leave mine in the box and just let them get on with it, the moister is the key they really don't like any dampness its the quickest killer of them.

[@robertmickey1514]

What is horse bran??

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Its just bran flakes

[@ItsaMeCeline]

do the red runners smell?

[@daveslittlebeasties]

No not really as long as you keep them dry👍

[@vFTWStrikerr]

hello sir any recommendations on population control? colony is starting to get too big and selling them isn't really an option!

[@daveslittlebeasties]

Just cool them down and they will stop breeding 👍