What do Dubia Roaches Eat?

Do you know what do Dubia Roaches eat in their natural habitat? In case you are keeping these popular feeder insects, you should understand the ideal Dubia Roach diet and what to feed them. If you are interested in what different animals and insects eat, take a look at the following:

1. What do Sand Stars Eat?
2. What do Yellow Bellied Sliders Eat?
3. What do Rabbits Eat from Gravel Road?

What Do They has prepared this blog so you’ll learn about feeding Dubia Roaches: what they eat, what to avoid, and how to optimize their nutrition, whatever the reason is behind raising them.

Natural Dubia Roach Diet in the Wild

Dubia Roaches (Blaptica Dubia) are omnivores native to Central and South America. In the wild, they consume:

• Decaying plant matter
• Fallen fruits and vegetables
• Dead leaves
• Occasionally small amounts of protein from dead insects

Their natural scavenging behavior makes them excellent at converting a wide variety of foods into nutrients, which is part of what makes them valuable as feeder insects. So if someone asks about the typical Dubia Roach diet, you can begin by describing their natural food sources.

Best Foods for Dubia Roaches

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Dubia roaches thrive on a variety of fresh produce. Some excellent options to answer what do Dubias eat include:

• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Oranges
• Apples
• Leafy greens (romaine lettuce, collard greens)
• Squash
• Zucchini

These foods provide essential vitamins and moisture. Cut them into small pieces to make them easier for the roaches to eat.

Dry Foods and Grains

In addition to fresh foods, Dubia Roaches benefit from dry food sources such as:

• Oats
• Wheat bran
• Dry cereal (unsweetened)
• Fish food flakes
• Chicken feed

These items serve as the staple of their diet and provide necessary carbohydrates.

Protein Sources

Protein is important for Dubia Roach growth and reproduction. Good protein sources include:

• Commercial chicken feed
• Fish food
• High-quality cat food (in small amounts)
• Tofu
• Dry dog food

Feeding Feeder Dubia Roaches: Keeping Them Healthy for Pets

When using Dubia Roaches as feeder insects for reptiles, amphibians, or even exotic fish, their health directly impacts the nutrition of your pets. A well-fed feeder Dubia Roach will offer better hydration, calcium, and protein to your animals.

How to Keep Dubia Roaches as Feeders

• Maintain a clean enclosure with proper ventilation
• Use egg crates for hiding and climbing
• Feed a balanced mix of dry and fresh Dubia roach food
• Always gut-load Dubia roaches 24–48 hours before feeding to pets

By caring for your feeder Dubia Roaches properly, you ensure that your pets receive the best nutritional value possible.

What to Feed Dubia Roaches for Bearded Dragons, Frogs, and Other Pets

If you’re asking, what should I feed Dubia Roaches before offering them to my bearded dragon or frog?, the answer is: highly nutritious foods.

Gut loading Dubia Roaches with:

• Carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens (for beta-carotene and calcium)
• High-protein dry food like fish flakes or chicken feed
• Moist fruits like apples or oranges (small amounts only)

This ensures pets like bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and even frog pets receive complete nutrition.

😢 Can bearded dragons eat Dubia Roaches every day?
Yes, they can — just make sure the roaches are gut-loaded and appropriately sized.

Gut Loading Dubia Roach food: Why It Matters

If you’re searching for what do Dubia Roaches like to eat or raising Dubia Roaches as feeders for pets like bearded dragons, leopard geckos, or other insectivores, “gut loading” is important. This means feeding your roaches nutritious foods 24-48 hours before you feed them to your pets. This way, you know what to feed Dubia Roaches, and they will receive the maximum nutritional benefit.

🪳 Did You Know?

Dubia roaches don’t climb smooth surfaces, which makes them ideal for feeder colonies!

Good gut-loading Dubia Roaches food includes:

• Dark leafy greens
• Orange vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes
• Calcium-rich foods

Foods to Avoid Feeding Dubia Roaches

Some foods can harm Dubia Roaches or create unpleasant odors in your colony:

• Citrus fruits (other than oranges) – too acidic
• Onions and garlic – strong odors
• Avocados – potentially toxic
• Banana peels – can ferment quickly and cause odors
• Processed human foods – often contain preservatives and chemicals

Water and Hydration

While searching for what do Dubia Roaches eat, don’t forget the basic need that is water, but providing it safely is important:

• Water crystals/gel (like those used for reptiles) work well
• Moist foods like fruits and vegetables provide hydration
• Avoid open water sources where roaches could drown

🪳 Quick Tips for Feeding Dubia Roaches:

• Chop fruits into bite-sized pieces

• Keep dry food available at all times

• Avoid citrus (except small bits of orange)

• Remove uneaten food to prevent mold

• Gut-load before using them as feeders

Feeding Schedule

Dubia roaches don’t need constant food, but should have regular access to:

• Dry food: Always available
• Fresh fruits and vegetables: Every 1-2 days
• Remove uneaten fresh foods within 24-48 hours to prevent mold

Signs of Good Nutrition

A well-fed Dubia Roach colony will show:

• Active, healthy-looking insects
• Regular molting
• Successful reproduction
• Low mortality rates

Common Feeding Problems and Solutions

Quick Recap: What Can You Feed Dubia Roaches?

Here’s a fast breakdown to help with all those search questions like:

• What do I feed Dubia Roaches?
• What can you feed Dubia Roaches?
• What can Dubia Roaches eat?
• What do you feed Dubia Roaches?

🪳 You can feed them:

• Fresh produce: carrots, apples, leafy greens, zucchini, squash
• Dry grains: oats, wheat bran, unsweetened cereal
• Protein: fish flakes, chicken feed, high-quality cat/dog food (sparingly)

Avoid:

• Onion, garlic, avocado, and most citrus fruits (except a little orange)
• Moldy or spoiled food
• Processed human food

So the Answer to What do Dubia Roaches Eat is…

As we’ve explored in this guide, feeding Dubia Roaches a varied mix of produce, grains, and proteins keeps them healthy and productive. By providing proper nutrition, you’ll maintain a healthy colony whether you’re keeping them as low-maintenance pets or nutritious feeders for other animals. Their straightforward dietary needs and ability to consume a wide range of foods make them one of the easier insects to care for at home.

Remember that the quality of food you provide to your Dubia Roaches directly impacts their health and, if used as feeders, the health of the pets that eat them. A small investment in proper Dubia Roach nutrition pays dividends in a thriving colony and healthier pet reptiles or amphibians.

FAQs

• What is the best food for Dubia Roaches?

Fresh fruits like apples and vegetables like carrots are ideal, along with dry grains such as oats or wheat bran.

• Can Dubia Roaches eat dog or cat food?

Yes, but only in small amounts. High-quality dry dog or cat food can provide protein, but it should not be the main food source.

• How often should I feed Dubia Roaches?

Provide dry food at all times and offer fresh fruits or vegetables every 1–2 days. Remove uneaten produce within 24–48 hours to prevent mold.

• What foods should I avoid giving Dubia Roaches?

Avoid onions, garlic, avocados, processed human food, and banana peels due to toxicity or unpleasant odors.

• Do Dubia Roaches need water?

Yes, but they should get it through safe methods like water crystals or moist food—open water sources can cause drowning.

• What is gut loading and why is it important?

Gut loading means feeding roaches highly nutritious food 24–48 hours before using them as feeders, enhancing their value for reptiles.

• Can I feed Dubia Roaches citrus fruits?

It’s best to avoid most citrus fruits, except for small amounts of oranges. Other citrus can be too acidic and harmful.

References:

1. Dubai Roach Depot
2. Dubia Deli