Table of Contents
If you need to farm your own feeders, it’s a good idea to figure out which option is going to cost you more in the long term. Of course, that’s not the only consideration to take into account. So in this article, we’re going to compare crickets and dubia roaches in terms of their nutrition and costs (both set-up and maintenance) so you can figure out which is right for your pet.
Let’s get into it.
Comparing Dubia Roaches and Crickets
Dubia roaches and crickets are both what we call a “lean protein” feeder. But the comparison pretty much stops there. These two species have very different life histories, growth rates, and some key nutritional differences that make them very different.
In terms of bug farming, we think of crickets as a fast-growing, high-output feeder that allows you to produce a ton of food really quickly. This is why crickets are so commonly stocked at the pet shop: they’re easy to farm in huge quantities.
However, they can be high-maintenance and prone to health issues, which means you’ve got to keep a close eye on them. They also produce a lot of funky smell, so people tend to keep them outside.
Dubia roaches, on the other hand, are slower-growing and it’s very easy to control their populations. They’re known as a no-drama feeder that makes a great roommate, with very little smell and almost no capacity for escaping.
So when thinking about which to buy, you should consider first how many feeder insects you need, and how quick you need them. If you have a single bearded dragon and you want something low-maintenance that just ensures you’ve got a steady supply of food, dubia roaches will probably be your go-to.
But if you have a lot of reptile pets, or you’re looking to start farming feeders for yourself and a few friends, crickets are probably a smarter choice.
Here’s how these species differ nutritionally:
Brown House Cricket Nutrition Facts
Protein: 21.4%
Fat: 6.9%
Moisture: 66.1%
Ash: 1.6%
Fiber: 3.9-7.5%
Calcium to phosphorus ratio: 1:10
Dubia Roach Nutrition Facts
Protein: 22%
Fat: 7.7%
Moisture: 60%
Ash: 1.7%
Fiber: 2.9%
Calcium to Phosphorus ratio: 2:3
Like we mentioned, they both have a high protein content. Crickets are way lower in calcium, but you’d probably have to dust either of them to make sure your pet gets enough calcium anyway. The main other difference between them is that crickets are high in fiber, which can cause digestive issues with some reptiles.
Which Do Reptiles Like Better?
This question depends on the kind of pet you have. Dubias are a little slower and less active, so they’re better for mellower pets with a lower prey drive. Crickets are very high-energy, which is better for pets that get a kick out of hunting.
How Many Dubias/Crickets Should I Feed My Pet?
This question matters when you’re thinking about how big of a colony you need to sustain your pet. It depends on a couple things, mainly the type of reptile you have, how old it is, and how large your feeders are.
For bearded dragons, you will feed your pet less often as it gets older. Adult beardies usually have two feedings of protein per week to supplement their daily veggies. Leopard geckos need daily protein when they’re young, but adults should only be given feeders every two to three days.
When planning how many feeders to give your pet, the standard rule of thumb is to give them 5-6 insects. The feeders you pick should be roughly as long as the distance between your pet’s eyes. So for an adult bearded dragon, that’s roughly 12 insects per week. For a leo, it’s more like 18-24.
Cost of Starting a Dubia/Cricket Colony
Dubia colonies are as simple as it gets. You need a plastic storage bin to keep everything in and some egg flats. You’ll also need some cleaning supplies and it’s a good idea to have a backup storage bin to move them into when you need to deep clean their main habitat. A 30-40 quart (10 gallon) storage bin can hold around 100 dubias. Scale up for more. Total cost for setup should be less than $20.
On top of that, you need some dubias, which you can get from us. 100 dubias to get started will cost you another $20 plus shipping.
People commonly keep crickets in a high-walled bucket, but you can also go for a storage bin. It’s a good idea to give your crickets lots of room, because they’re prone to overcrowding and cannibalism.
A 5-gallon bucket works okay for 100 crickets, but more space will help you keep them from eating each other. On top of that, you’ll want some mesh to ventilate the bucket lid, egg flats for hides, some substrate (vermiculite does well for keeping the humidity and stink down), and some water crystals to help them hydrate. Total cost should be under $40.
Plus, you need crickets. We’ve got you covered there at 250 for $24.
Cost of Maintaining a Dubia/Cricket Colony
Beyond that, your main cost is in time spent. That, and food. Dubia roaches do well with high-carb feed like oats, breakfast cereal, and bread. They like the occasional piece of fruit, too. Crickets need more protein and do well on dog or cat food, plus fruits and veggies (you can use compost scraps).
Overall, dubia roaches are probably cheaper (and less effort) to maintain. Crickets grow fast and eat quicker, and are much messier. You need to clean your cricket enclosure weekly to stop them from overcrowding and humidifying themselves to death.
Which is Less Expensive?
In total, dubia roaches are the less expensive pick with easier, cheaper setup and maintenance. However, dubias produce feeders slower. If you need a high-production feeder farm, crickets are a better way to grow a lot of food fast.