Buzz
Madagascar hissing cockroaches, as their name implies, are an incredibly intriguing type of cockroach. Originating from Madagascar, these roaches are recognized for their distinct hissing sound, usually emitted when they feel threatened (or during courtship). Additionally, they can make wonderful pets! Even if you're new to insect care, Madagascar hissing cockroaches are relatively easy to look after. All you need is a secure enclosure that replicates a tropical environment, some fruits and vegetables for nourishment, and fresh substrate for their habitat!
Steps
Establishing the Habitat
Utilize a 5 US gal (19 L) tank for housing your cockroach. Opt for a simple glass fish tank for best results, which can be repurposed as a cockroach habitat. Choose a tank with a snap-on lid featuring ventilation holes to prevent your hisser from escaping. Apply petroleum jelly along the top rim of the tank to further deter your roach from escaping.
- This tank size is suitable for a single cockroach, but can accommodate up to 15 cockroaches comfortably. If housing more than 15, add approximately 1 gallon (3.8 L) of volume to the tank for every additional 5 cockroaches.
- While this may seem excessive, Madagascar hissing cockroaches are adept climbers, even on smooth surfaces. It's crucial to make escaping from the habitat as difficult as possible for your roach.
- Ensure that the ventilation holes on the snap-on lid are small enough to prevent your roach from squeezing through. The holes should be no larger than 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) in diameter.
Add 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of bedding to the bottom of your tank. Wood chips, peat moss, or sphagnum moss are all suitable choices for your cockroach's habitat. Enhance the habitat by including an egg carton or cardboard tube for your roach to hide in.
- Your roach will appreciate having a stack of egg cartons in the tank for hiding.
- You can purchase appropriate bedding for your cockroach from any pet store that sells insect supplies.
Maintain high humidity levels in the tank by misting it daily. Fill a spray bottle with water and mist the tank enough each day to moisten the bedding. The bedding should be lightly damp across the entire surface, but not saturated. Keep the humidity level between 60% and 70%.
- Place a hygrometer on the tank's side to monitor humidity levels. Hygrometers are available at most large pet supply stores.
- Exceeding 70% humidity won't harm your roaches. If this occurs, simply reduce the amount of water sprayed into the tank the next day to return humidity to normal.
Maintain the tank temperature between 77 and 82 °F (25 and 28 °C). Nighttime temperatures can drop to about 70 °F (21 °C) without harm, but never let temperatures fall below 65 °F (18 °C). Use a thermometer attached to the tank's side to monitor internal temperature.
- Keep the tank in a climate-controlled area of your home to regulate temperature (e.g., a room kept at around 80 °F (27 °C)).
- It's challenging to overheat the tank. Madagascar hissing cockroaches can tolerate temperatures up to 100 °F (38 °C).
Place an infrared light in the tank for nighttime observation of your roach. Since roaches are nocturnal, they don't require special lighting during the day. Avoid using a standard incandescent bulb to illuminate the tank at night, as it may cause your roach to hide.
- You can purchase an infrared light suitable for this purpose at most stores that sell supplies for pet insects.
Feeding and Handling Your Cockroach
Position a shallow dish containing water and a cotton ball inside the tank. The roach will drink water from the saturated cotton ball. Alternatively, use a small sponge if cotton balls are unavailable. Remember to replace the water and cotton ball daily.
- Add enough water to fully saturate the cotton ball, leaving a small amount (approximately 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm)) at the bottom of the dish.
- To prevent drowning, place small rocks in the bottom of the water dish.
- Use chlorine-free water, if possible, for safety.
Offer your roach fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens twice per week. Some preferred foods include carrots, apples, romaine lettuce, spinach, bananas, strawberries, oranges, and pelleted dog or cat food for added protein.
- Start with about 1/4 cup (50 grams) of mixed food. Adjust portions if needed based on consumption.
- Remove uneaten food after 24 hours.
- Wash fruits and vegetables to remove pesticides from the skin.
- Provide a calcium source such as cuttlefish bone, natural chalk, or crushed eggshells.
Handle your roach delicately to prevent harm to both you and the insect. Lift it slowly from the thorax (the hard section behind the head). Avoid sudden movements to prevent the roach from clinging out of fear. Refrain from restraining it, as the roach may scratch using its leg spines as a defense.
- Allow the roach to wander freely on your hands after lifting it.
- Rest assured, roaches don't bite!
Thoroughly wash your hands after interacting with your roach. Madagascar hissing cockroaches may harbor mold species that can trigger allergies in humans. Use warm, soapy water and wash for at least 20 seconds to ensure cleanliness.
- Some molds found on hissing cockroaches can cause infections if inhaled or enter an open wound.
- Mold may also be present in roach feces, so handwashing is essential after habitat cleaning.
Keeping Your Roach Habitat Clean
Before cleaning the habitat, relocate your cockroach to a separate ventilated container. Ensure the new container is secure and replicates the conditions of the original habitat as closely as possible. Remove the water bowl and any tubing from the tank as well.
- To maintain comfort, aim for a container that matches the size of the roach’s normal habitat.
Replace the tank substrate at least once per week. Regular replacement prevents saturation from excess moisture. If mold is present, replace the substrate sooner.
- If the egg cartons and tubing appear saturated or moldy, replace them along with the substrate.
Monthly, clean the entire tank with a diluted bleach solution. Remove all items from the tank before cleaning. Rinse with warm water, then scrub the interior with a sponge and a 3% bleach solution.
- Create the cleaning solution at home by mixing bleach and water in a 1:32 ratio.
Regularly remove shed exoskeletons and deceased roaches. Young hissing cockroaches shed their exoskeletons several times before maturity, so monitor the habitat for these shells. If multiple roaches share the habitat, check for carcasses and old shells daily and remove them as needed.
Tips
- If you struggle to maintain the tank's temperature, consider using a heating pad underneath.
- The typical lifespan of Madagascar hissing cockroaches spans up to 5 years.
- Hissing from your cockroach often indicates discontentment.
Warnings
- Importing Madagascar hissing cockroaches into Florida without a license is illegal.
Things You'll Need
- 5 US gal (19 L) tank
- Wood chips, peat moss, or sphagnum moss
- Spray bottle
- Infrared light
- Shallow bowl
- Cotton balls
- Fruits and vegetables
