This page provides information for mail carriers in case a package containing Dubia roaches ruptures during transit.
What are Dubia Roaches?
Dubia roaches are harmless tropical insects. They are typically used as “feeders” (like crickets and mealworms) for reptiles and other insectivorous animals. They do not bite and are generally not considered pests in the tropical regions from which they originate. Pet owners feed their animals Dubia roaches for a variety of reasons, including nutrition, ease of keeping, and more.
Dubia roaches are NOT like American cockroaches, which are considered pests. They are relatively slow, fragile, and they cannot breed in the US. They require a tropical climate to breed. If the climate is not tropical, they will die. The two possible location exceptions in the US are Hawaii and Southern Florida, but both states restrict their importation and we do not ship Dubia roaches there.
Dubia roaches are NOT considered to be disease vectors.
If They Escape
When Dubia roaches escape, will almost certainly die. They need temperatures to remain a constant 85-95°F, high humidity (50% and higher), and an abundance of food to survive and breed. If any of these are lacking, they cannot breed. If temperatures dip below this range, they slow down and stop eating. If temperatures dip to freezing or near freezing, they will die.
When they escape, Dubia roaches seek warmth, darkness, and moisture. When temperatures are below about 70°F, they become lethargic. Below about 60°F they may stop eating and die. They cannot survive sustained temperatures above about 95°F, especially when it is dry.
Dubia roaches are not known to be destructive to property. They are not burrowing insects and they do not chew through materials.
If They Die
When escaped Dubia roaches die, they tend to dry out and/or are eaten by other insects. However, if a shipment of Dubia roaches is exposed to conditions in-transit that are extreme enough to kill them (like high or low temperatures), they may die all at once. If there is low air circulation, they may become foul and smell awful. If you need to dispose of a package of dead Dubia roaches, consider sealing the package in a plastic bag and/or disposing of them in an outdoor trash bin.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about a package or need us to contact a customer, please feel free to email us.
