DIY Self-Cleaning Dubia Roach Bin Setup 2.0 - Tutorial

[@TheTurtleGirl]

To see the previous iteration of the dubia bin, check this out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm2k6t3rdp5adE

[@shzdw3232]

Is this a farm, or a place to hold them?

[@Jess-vk6mp]

I’ve had a Dubia colony for probably over 10yrs and I have a couple tips. Instead of using the hot glue I personally would recommend using E6000 glue. It’s sturdier than the hot glue, water proof, and has a better adhesion than the hot glue. The biggest benefit of hot glue is it’s easy to squeeze out and it sets almost instantly but it can lift from screen that’s why I’m suggesting the other. Also it might not be a bad idea to save a little of the frass (poop) and put it in a container inside where the roaches live because the nymphs eat the frass to gain the necessary bacteria needed for digestion. Overall though I love your idea though if making a self cleaning Dubia bin. The worst part of having a colony is having to clean it and save as many babies as possible from the frass when doing so lol.

[@dazzlingextremes389]

When using hot glue against smooth plastic to promote adhesion I'd recommend filing it somewhat to rough up the surface.... like when you get your nails done.... it will create small grooves for the glue to fall into and bond with and prevent loosening later on.

[@luisalvarez7807]

Me: Spends 2 weeks and $100 getting rid of roaches in my house. The Turtle Girl: Has a whole bin of roaches with known escapees. You are a brave one lol. Live the videos✌️👍

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Haha thankfully dubia roaches are a tropical species, so in cold weather they won't reproduce and eventually just die...being in the PNW I feel confident enough that they won't infest anything lol

[@TheHappydots]

​@@TheTurtleGirl so funny story: I had a colony of roaches and I thought they were doing terrible and just dying off so I put them in my basement that gets as cold as 20° and they were just...ya know...dead. fast forward four months I had forgotten about the container within five minutes of putting them in there so I hadn't thought of it. My daughter needed a container, my brain light bulb went off "oh I have a container you just need to throw out some dead roaches no biggie!" She brought the container into the kitchen and within the hour (she got distracted) of the container being in the kitchen, these little buggers resurrected and carried about their day. 😳😂 they even started reproducing.😂 So they went completely dormant and came back as soon as they warmed up! Bugs are wild!

[@armonia9758]

That's pretty clever. I want to start breeding my own feeding roaches in the future and this is very helpful. Thank you ❤️

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Glad it could be helpful ☺️

[@amberbrown8254]

I love this! This is very similar to the setup I made for my bugs but I never even thought about putting the mesh on the bottom to sort out the frass. I have developed a really bad allergy, my lungs hurt after even just a short amount of time so this will make cleaning up so much easier for me! I look forward to making this :)

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Hope it worked out for you!

[@brandyw02]

Just found your video and think this will be my new project! What about ventilation for the outside box after adding the lid?

[@theturtlegirlisawesome4521]

Today wasnt such a good day Until the turtle girl posted!🐢🐢🐢

[@TheTurtleGirl]

I'm glad. Thanks for the support!

[@helianthe3457]

I'm trying to get over my fear of roaches for my gecko..... I can't even touch them yet, so seeing you chilling with one on your arm is sure something lol, I hope I can get this comfortable with it one day

[@TheTurtleGirl]

hahaha it takes time but they mean no harm!

[@DragonUdo]

Hey turtle girl and everyone... I just wanted to share my experience with dubious and frass! I really like your window screening as ventilation, but the part where the Frass falls through I actually like this plastic screen that I got from the crafting section at Walmart that has much bigger holes still too small for babies to fall through but a lot bigger so that more frass and more debris fall through!!! And at one point I also was able to cut the holes slightly bigger so that my babies would fall through and that made it an easy way to separate adults from babies... Something for your viewers to think about. The plastic mesh is about 1'x2' and it comes in a three pack for about $10

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@adamalcid5980]

Hey I bought two peacock sliders they are doing amazing and I love them. Your videos are great!

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Congrats! Good luck with your new shell babies!

[@gimmefuel7268]

Hey TG, I watched your og bin video earlier & now this one is even better! 😁👍🏻 Question regarding your dubia, have you experienced any issues with mold, mites, or aggravating fruit flies in your bin? Love to hear your input if you have. Thanks again so much. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@TheTurtleGirl]

nope, haven't noticed any of that. I'm pretty careful with leaving leftover food in the bin (with the exception of the carrots - those never mold, just get dehydrated lol) so I haven't experienced any issues.

[@Aerosmith145]

Hi Turtle Girl! Love your videos. I'm a manager of a Maker Space at Georgia Tech, and am so impressed by your setup, I am building one just like it. I might experiment with laser cutting the plastic on mine. Thanks for the inspiration, and keep it up! I nearly forgot to ask - what size/capacity is your larger bin?

[@tanayapalwankar1930]

I have not even watched but am really excited!! Love your vids 😄!!

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Thanks for the support!

[@courtneylischa9068]

Omg you’re so brave 😫 I’m terrified of bugs to the point I probably need a therapist 😂 I can’t even enjoy myself outside for those darn lantern flies 🥴🥴🥴

[@Lroselovely88]

I went through at least a similar situation to this, I encourage you to keep working and when you find that you're not anxious, try staying outside longer and longer until it's not as stressful if you can! Don't beat yourself up if you need to go inside quickly. I went back to my roots and started looking at earthworms and isopods under logs and now I'm able to keep a colony for my lizards of dubias and we keep a decent amount of superworms at a time too. You've got this!!!

[@courtneylischa9068]

I appreciate your words of encouragement ❤️❤️🥰 Leah Lovely

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Aw you've got this - and it's ok to feel fear as long as you can acknowledge where it comes from. And then usually it becomes less scary. The difference between fear and respect is knowledge :)

[@loganthewyrmlord9739]

This is so helpful, I have lost so many tiny roaches in cleaning and I feel so bad about it.

[@Kattatonia76]

Thank you for posting this video, I’m about to put this set up together :) I really enjoy watching your other videos as well.

[@stevenlannon1020]

Silicone 1 would be a great alternative to hot glue for the mesh. Still cheap and holds for much longer. The only downside is it has to sit and cure for 12-24 hours before using it.

[@rowismyname5404]

Me having hated any type of bug when I was younger and wanted nothing to do with them, now having a leopard gecko who eats meal worms 😂

[@TheTurtleGirl]

hahaha facts

[@nicholasviars2412]

I use gurilla glue hot glue and I get the best hold with that, have tried various different hot flies and that has the best hold.

[@dazzlingextremes389]

I'd have also done the bottom side glued from the inside as well. You did a great job, just a recommendation

[@josha2422]

im so early thank you for uploading you just made my day😊

[@abbymoore732]

So I know this was posted a year ago, but I was wondering how long does it take for the colony to get going? Also, do you use any cleaning bugs like springtails?

[@drumking241]

I can keep em for Tarantulas, and have started a second in my experience take about a year ( depending on numbers ) but if your like me and cant spend alot about a year to get a large reproducing colony

[@speedturtleart7941]

hey turtle girl i m early again i really love the vids!

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Thanks for watching!

[@kristijohnson925]

It’s more likely they’re escaping from the reptile cages than your bins. We occasionally find them around the house too, but typically in the rooms where we feed them, not where we raise them.

[@FishAddict1]

I like this tutorial. But the mesh I found at Walmart was too small to actually filter the waste through. Does anyone has suggestions for screen that is a bit bigger as far as the holes go?

[@nittygritty7034]

Making a mesh top for your dubia roaches sounds like you're making tiny clothes.

[@TheTurtleGirl]

AHAHAHAHA I LAUGHED SO HARD AT THIS 😂 Now I can't stop thinking about making mini clothing articles for my roaches and other pets lol

[@edith9823]

Wow this really helps me because I am getting a leopard gecko soon!

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Exciting! Best of luck!

[@edith9823]

Thank You! Keep up the work!

[@jeanbeanie5785]

[@louiedfresh4768]

Hey Turtle Girl. You are a real inspiration to me. Thank you. I may pick your brain on doing KZbin

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Appreciate the kind words ☺️

[@tekashiixine-mg4zb]

It's the title of the video for me 😂

[@miltonwalters4617]

I like your videos all the time I think this is a really great idea for someone that lives in a city but if you live like I do in the woods these roaches are pretty much common all in your house all in the woods you can get more than what you need 😂🤣👏✌️👍

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Lol that might be true! However, it's good to know what is going into your reptiles, and bugs from outside can actually be harmful due to chemicals, parasites, etc.

[@4my4blessings]

Does the big bin need ventilation, and if not, how often do you open your bin to give the dubias fresh air? Love the 2.0 bin, going to make one myself. :)

[@TheTurtleGirl]

I made holes in the lid of the big bin, so it kind of naturally ventilates itself. And whenever I feed the leopard gecko, typically every other day, I have to open it up, so that helps air circulate too.

[@shannahupp4054]

@@TheTurtleGirl do you do a screen top over the big bin as well or just made holes? Also how did you get the lid to close with the cord from the heating pad come out? Right now I’m just leaving the big bin lid open about 2 - 3 inches so they get air but I know it can’t stay like that.

[@chief7385]

awesome video keep up the good work.

[@madison8680]

I find sizzors help clean up the plastic edges really easily

[@cosmo9362]

Thanks. How are dubias escaping? They don’t fly and can’t climb a smooth surface. If the bin is deep enough they can’t get out. I use a drill to put holes in the top of the bins I use.

[@BuffNerdInCa]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@TheTurtleGirl]

welcome!

[@MyMeloRomiRoll]

Hopefully i get a answer to this nc this video has been very helpful So the bittom mesh is yo seperate frass. But if im also having lesser meal worms / buffalo beetles to have a cuc with the Dubai would the lesser mealworms also gall yhru the mesh seperating and leaving beetles woth dubais?

[@brysonsausomejourney]

Stupid question as I’m a newbie… I bought 5 adult roaches& 5 female roaches. I want to breed my own. Do I put the lid on it? And do I keep heat on it all the time? What if I loose power? Can I feed cricket quencher as a water source? Are the bin and tote toxic? Like chemicals? I bought a heating mat with a temp knob on it what degrees? Where do I keep the roaches if no lid? Like in the ha closet? Somewhere dark? I love your videos, my son has autism/special needs he does too.

[@Maraposa]

Could you use this same self cleaning set up for crickets?

[@rochelle3799]

That's what I was wondering. Did you try it?

[@bryansoul_destroyer437]

Do you leave the second black bin open like that how you ended the video? Or do you keep it closed?

[@Kattatonia76]

I’m wondering that as well.

[@gamer007real2]

I never seen anyone own these on KZbin cool ☺️

[@TheTurtleGirl]

It works out quite well for a lot of reptile keepers to breed their own feeders. I guess just not too many people show it 😂

[@TRAPSQUAD187]

Hey @turtlegirl you said that you sometimes get beetle in your colony can you make a video on that I have to see this is starting a colony of my own and I have yet to see this so if I can have an idea of what I’m looking for that’s be great

[@Ben-ub3jj]

Hi! I'm having trouble keeping my temps up between 85 and 95. I have both a grower heating pad and a ceramic bulb on a thermostat. What bin temps do you like for breeding roaches?

[@noeasyshyba]

I actually ended up making this exact bin after watching this for about a year and a half with no issue, but I just recently had an issue with my dubia's chewing through the bottom mesh and getting into the other bin. I'm also having issues with the frazz often being too big to fall through the mesh. Have you had any encounters with this and if so does anyone have solutions?

[@TheTurtleGirl]

hmmm - sometimes a different mesh can help, I've seen some fine mesh thats made out of metal screen as opposed to fiber glass, which may be more durable. As for the frass issue, sometimes I just go in there with a glove and clean it out myself ;) hope that helps!

[@bradleyhargis1900]

I got the same set up but the heat pad isn't warm enough, so I'm also using a heat lamp but it makes the humidity dry up fast, any recommendations?

[@ariannaapostolellis5258]

Ok not gonna lie I was skipping around, but not much. Can u explain where you got your dubias to get them started breeding and how you maintain the bin with food in there. How often, how much do u feed them....how do u make sure your food stays good

[@courtneylischa9068]

I love your shirt too 🥰

[@nvy2fd588]

If you scour the plastic first with a rough sandpaper or metal brush, it will give something for the hot glue to stick to….this is a rule for any smooth surface

[@Unknown-ko9lk]

Dubia roaches don't climb plastic walls. I've had a dubia roach farm for over 2 years, in one of those plastic tubs like you're using, and they have never climbed up the walls. The only issue I have are gnats getting in. Them not climbing the plastic is one of the reasons they are a good feeder roach. If they're getting out, make your egg flats not go all the way up to the lid.

[@rerebaby1732]

Hi should we cut the lid the same way as the first bin

[@roshwarrenmundo1136]

you can use arcylic cutter

[@sunflowers20054u]

I just purchased the 32 QT container and my egg creates do not fit in, the bin is too shallow. Did you cut your egg creates down to make them fit from original size?

[@bonnierobello7598]

Hi quick question trying to find that warmer? Couldn't find the info... Which warmer is that?

[@RJ-fr7mr]

What heating pad do you urse? Wattage?

[@persassy4476]

Hi, just wondering, are Dubai roaches the only thing you feed your gecko? I’m getting a leopard Gecko soon and I’m a little confused on what to feed them.

[@poisonous_potionz2087]

I tried showing this to my mom and she almost screamed 😭✋

[@levi-wd7gw]

Have you had any escape since you made the new bin?

[@themoodyturtle9569]

1:30 your axoltl is flying !

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Lol he's a skilled levitater.

[@themoodyturtle9569]

@@TheTurtleGirl I love your videos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@renrichards]

Did your dubia colony move with you?

[@ethandavies2307]

I finally got my musk turtle

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Congrats!

[@loralove4917]

Do the dubias give you allergy’s or anything

[@purpleflakes8]

Is the outer lid also cut and lined with the mesh? @turtlegirl

[@KINGmonke1]

How to treat shell rot, pls Make a video on that

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Thanks for the suggestion! I've never actually had to treat shell rot so I'm not comfortable speaking to the topic, but there are a couple other videos that others have done on the subject. GoHerping comes to mind, and I believe DantheGuppyMan has some content on it too.o

[@KINGmonke1]

@@TheTurtleGirl :( TY for help!

[@TurtDu]

I would’ve FAINTED if I was holding those LOL my whole family including myself are scared of roaches

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Haha it just takes some getting used to. They'd never hurt anyone ;)

[@martimneves4421]

Hello I'm in trouble. I have a baby turtle and I used to give him little turtle food from sera and he ate everything, without any problems (inside the aquarium), now I switched to reptomin baby food and he ate some sticks but almost all the sticks sank- if and he did not eat. I tried to put it in a separate container but it doesn't eat anything because it is scared. What do I do...?

[@ericstolz8119]

Awesome

[@TheTurtleGirl]

thanks!

[@brysonsausomejourney]

Ok I have a question please that wasn’t answered. I did it and put inside bin.. but it has to be dark so how do I keep it dark without covering it? I put two holes top of bin with the mesh.. but the humidity will only go to 24% please help me

[@TheTurtleGirl]

You use a dark bin on the outside!

[@jonathanbaker1478]

I live in Washington to and I might get a leopard gecko

[@wafflebread9450]

I have one question what size tank do u have for your diamondback terrapin I want to get a good size?

[@TheTurtleGirl]

He's about 4 inches in size so I have him in a 40 gallon breeder tank.

[@wafflebread9450]

@@TheTurtleGirl Thank u so much!!

[@Jaenerys]

OMG, even though I have lots of them here for my reptiles I don't think I could touch them like that. LOL. I have roach phobia but I have no choice but to take care of them and breed them. haha. I just use tong in feeding our reptiles. everytime I open up that tub it give me the chills. haha. the superworms and mealworms Im ok in touching but the Dubias....tongs. haha

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Hey, do what works for you and your reptiles! You don't have to love them, but it helps to not be afraid :)

[@grnnt123]

😂😂

[@ssopretty]

you should do a updated meet my pets video

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Noted! Appreciate the suggestion!

[@miriamf.cervantes4713]

How big of a tank should I get for 6 adult turtles ?

[@secredeath]

Get a kid size pool

[@TheTurtleGirl]

6 adults is a lot. Depends on their sizes and temperaments really. Something like a pond would be ideal, otherwise I'd say you need at the bare minimum at least a 275 if not 300 gallon if they're average sized turtles.

[@anikethgalla8318]

Hey i turtle girl i have a concentric diamond back terrapin and a northern back terrapin and a couple of res and painted I do not know but my concentric diamond back terrapin is actually acting really funny... It is not eating nor begging for food and i goes to the retention wall of my bog filter area it is fat... I don't know what is happening

[@outtadisworld276]

Do you need to sand it down?

[@TheTurtleGirl]

I didn't have to this time around, no.

[@ainhoamercader996]

How’s your Nelson milk snake doing? Will you be doing an update soon? My son and I have a baby albino called Neon. Cool videos : )

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Doing great! Love the name Neon. May update soon!

[@peppapaul]

I love your vids! BTW, do you know how much a respiratory infection shot will cost for a turtle? Because I think my poor turtle has it. Thanks.

[@finley6161]

Depends on where you live, you can just call your local vet and ask

[@peppapaul]

@@finley6161 Ok

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Calling the local exotic vet clinic would be a good idea. I wouldn't know since I haven't had to get one for either of my turts.

[@peppapaul]

@@TheTurtleGirl Ok, thanks, I will do it.

[@roshwarrenmundo1136]

and another one you dont need to clean the frass or the poop cause nymphs use the frass to hide from males

[@kyx4057]

What do people do with fras?

[@TheTurtleGirl]

The frass can just get thrown out.

[@chelseaong188]

When you realise that she is wearing twoset violin's merch 😳

[@paranorman1646]

A soldering knife would be a lot easier to cut the lid

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Great suggestion, thanks!

[@paranorman1646]

@@TheTurtleGirl anytime will also make the cut a lot cleaner i would recommend doing it outside though

[@miabaker86]

How many adult female and male roaches do you have in your colony? How many do they produce in a month? I started out with 10 females and 2 males but they aren't making enough to feed my lizards. :|

[@TheTurtleGirl]

replied to your other comment. I've found that this colony has sustained my single leopard gecko just fine, but if you have multiple you might need more producers.

[@Patayder]

Where did you purchase your adults?

[@TheTurtleGirl]

I got them off of someone else's colony. You can also purchase online or at reptile expos :)

[@shzdw3232]

I know this is a year late, but is this a farm or just a place to keep them?

[@Rainbow-jq7gi]

it’s a farm

[@YariBeans]

I know this is an old vid, but do u know if they are safe for crested gecko's? (I do not know ur channel so sorry if i say something obvious).

[@NuttyElf]

Yes

[@TheChickwithguns]

I heard that roaches will chew glue. You may want to glue on the outside of the bins. You be Judge Judy the executioner, but that’s what I have heard.

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Good to know! Thanks for pointing that out

[@jufrmda5]

My turtle tank stinks super bad what should I do

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Having a good and consistent water change routine and feeding the turtle outside the tank typically helps the tank stay cleaner and avoid any smells.

[@ElLenadorLA]

What are these baby meal worms??? Where do they come from???

[@kurtzkookie7120]

me having a crested lizard

[@dragunitytamer28]

Update

[@nathangines6107]

Dont the babies eat the Frass?

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Yes, but some of it still remains at the bottom and also gets caught in the egg carton. I haven't noticed really any detriment to the colony, but if that's a concern you could maybe adapt some portions of the design - like maybe make half the bottom solid, and when you go to clean it, just shake the frass to the mesh side and have it come out the bottom ;)

[@san_bat_ca_mau_69]

like 👍👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤❤

[@kendravoracek3636]

💚

[@djscarecrows7702]

Are you breeding them to feed your pets

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Yep, that's the idea!

[@djscarecrows7702]

The Turtle Girl cool when can I move In with you??? Jk Great content

[@dreidrei1643]

Jesus Loves all of you guys

[@aquaticma]

Yeah Idk how my Ma would approve one of these 🤣🤣

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Lol probably not

[@tonybankstherenagader5608]

Can you do a dubiA roach giveaway i been a og subscriber with you for 3 years plz im a big fan i been wanting dubia roaches for 2 years now plz

[@TheTurtleGirl]

Haha I don't know if I'd be comfortable shipping them in the mail. You can buy them from other sources online or at reptile expos :)

[@exuviumisopods]

0:49 you probably hate that gal... (why did you throw it like that? it's a living being) 😕

[@TheTurtleGirl]

lol no...they just have a really strong grip xD

[@thedancingbluejay840]

Shameless plug

[@stronglikebo221]

You are so beautiful..