How to Raise B. lateralis

Blatta lateralis are becoming an increasingly popular feeder roach. The common names for B. lateralis include: Turkistan roaches, rusty reds, red racers, as well as a few others. Since they do not burrow, they are an easier roach for predators to locate and devour than some of the burrowing feeder roach species. Also, their sexual dimorphism makes males easily distinguishable from females. Males are ligher in color and they have full wings. Females are basically black, and do not possess the wings that are evident in the males of this species.

Housing

Blatta lateralis are non-climbers, meaning that they are unable to climb smooth surfaces, such as glass. Thus, they are best housed in plastic Rubbermaid or Sterilite totes. An 18 gallon tote will be adequate for a colony of a few thousand roaches. It is better to use opaque totes because the roaches will appreciate the darkness that they provide; however, some opaque totes have minimal texture on the inside walls of the tote. This texture may provide enough grip for the B. lateralis to climb the sides and escape.

Clear totes are also an option. Altough they do not provide the security of darkness that B. lateralis enjoy, they almost always have smooth interior walls. If opaque totes are prefered, and smooth-sided opaque totes are unavailable, a few strips of slick packaging tape can be used to create a barrier a few inches from the top of the enclosure that the roaches will be unable to climb over. There are also several roach barrier products available. However, these products have to be reapplied, and they are also messier than the tape barrier. If using the tape, be sure to wipe off any feces, residue, etc. on a semi-regular basis to prevent a buildup that may give the roaches enough texture to cross the barrier.

After selecting the appropriate plastic tote, the next step is to add the ventilation. For an 18 gallon tote, roughly 20 square inches of ventilation is sufficient. This can be accomplished by cutting a 4" x 5" hole in the lid and covering it with aluminium screen wire. The wire should be a fine mesh to ensure that no newborn Blatta lateralis are able to escape, and to keep any unwanted insects from entering.

The final step in completing the B. lateralis enclosure is to provide some hides. This can be accomplished inexpensively and easily by simply stacking cardboard egg flats vertically in the container. The reason that they should be stacked standing straight up is to allow the frass and debris to fall to the floor of the enclosure. If the egg flats are stacked flat, one on top of the other, the frass will accumulate on the egg flats below.

Breeding

Once the ventilation has been added, the appropriate environmental conditions should be established. Blatta lateralis prefer their habitat to be warm and somewhat humid. The temperature should be maintained between 70-95°F or 21-35°C. Since B. lateralis deposit oothecae (egg cases), an adequate amount of humidity is required in order for the egg cases to hatch, and to allow the roaches to molt properly. The humidity should be maintained between 50-80%. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. One method that can be used to maintain the proper humidity is placing a few inches of substrate, such as peat moss, on the bottom of the enclosure and misting it on a regular basis. Another method is providing no substrate and simply placing one or two dishes of hydrated water crystals in the enclosure.

Depending on the climate in which you live, using a semi-moist substrate can potentially cause some mold or mite issues. Some people prefer to keep their B. lateralis enclosure somewhat dry and incubate the egg cases in a separate container that is warm and moist. Incubating the egg cases separately takes some extra time and effort, but if you need roaches of a particular size for feeding your tarantulas, scorpions, or other pets, hatching the egg cases independently can save time in the long run.

The next step is to provide a source of moisture and a source of food for the roaches. For moisture, an easy and sanitary solution is simply putting a dish of water crystals into the enclosure. Another method that some people use is misting the sides of the enclosure daily. For food, the list of possibilities is almost endless. The cheapest and cleanest way to provide food is to use some form of dry food, such as catfood or unmedicated chicken pellets.

There are several methods and techniques used in breeding, feeding, and rearing Blatta lateralis. This article has provided several different techniques for making the enclosure secure, maintaining the proper humidity, and other roach related issues. Each technique has its advantages and disadvantages; it is up to the breeder to decide which method best fits his or her needs and preferences.