Good day

[Bricktop]

Hello, i joined this board back in 2007 and infact it was Allpet roaches that got me interested in roaches to begin with, when i stumbled upon the homepage.

Since i've disappeared due to college and such for years, I figure i might as well reintroduce myself as i intend to contribute a bit more now.

I suppose i'll just answer the 6 points:

1. Do you currently raise any roaches?

I currently still have Hissers, Blaberus craniifer, Pancholra nivea, Blaptica dubia and Nauphoeta cinerea species. When i started collecting 10 years ago i had far more types (infact i had at least 20 species at my collections' greatest extent)

2. If so, how many?

At least several thousand, especially the Death heads.

3. Do you culture roaches as pets or feeders?

I have feeders but i keep them as pets, i don't have anything that would eat them except a cat and don't have the heart to own anything else that would.

4. If feeders, what kinds?

See answer to question 1.

5. Are there any specific roach questions that you would like to ask the community?

Unfortunately my colonies have gotten too big for my own handling and I'm unfortunately at the point where offloading them is becoming a priority. As much as i love them, I've grown severely allergic to them, have too many, and plan to be making a move to Europe in the next year or two. Such a move won't be possible but i wouldn't want to see my whole population culled either, as thats 10 years worth of work and care for nothing. That said my interest in them has not gone away and I'd say after 10 years I've gathered a bit of experience on what works and what doesn't work, so hopefully i can contribute here as well.

6. How did you find our community?

I've known of the homepage, met "Roachman Willis" several times and did business with him regarding roaches personally. While i hear he is no longer in the business, i saw the extent of his collection when he was, and its quite a shame if its all gone, I wish him the best. He coauthored the "allpet roaches" book that was out here a few years back. I believe Mr. McMonigle shipped me some species back in 03 or 04 as well. I suppose it was only a matter of time before i found this board.

 

[OBJ]

Hi Bricktop,

'Welcome back' from a newcomer in roaches - you have been busy allready on this top-forum.... :lol:

As much as i love them, I've grown severely allergic to them, have too many, and plan to be making a move to Europe in the next year or two.

Is your allergy because of dust (air borne) or is it from contact?? It must be bad since you cannot protect yourself and continue keeping cultures.If you need anything with respect to your relocation to Europe, we are a group from all over Europe that might be able to answer questions or ?? depending on your plans.

I've known of the homepage, met "Roachman Willis" several times and did business with him regarding roaches personally.

Is that THE Edwin R. Willis, you are referring to?? :blink: BR/

Ole

 

[Bricktop]

Hi Bricktop,'Welcome back' from a newcomer in roaches - you have been busy allready on this top-forum.... :lol:

Is your allergy because of dust (air borne) or is it from contact?? It must be bad since you cannot protect yourself and continue keeping cultures.

If you need anything with respect to your relocation to Europe, we are a group from all over Europe that might be able to answer questions or ?? depending on your plans.

Is that THE Edwin R. Willis, you are referring to?? :blink:

BR/

Ole

When i am in the room with them after awhile my nose starts running, eyes get watery, i sneeze. This has been going on for some time however now i can't handle them either. When a craniifer walks on my hand without a glove every single spot where its feet touch my skin develops into a bump/rash. So the few times one slips out of my grip and crawls up my arm there ends up being a trail of bumps all the way up. This never used to happen.

Edwin willis? Not sure about edwin? I was referring to Richard.

Thank you but what kind of questions are you referring to regarding relocation?

 

[OBJ]

...one slips out of my grip and crawls up my arm there ends up being a trail of bumps all the way up. This never used to happen.

That must be annoying. I was not aware that it could become so serious. Normally, if one is easily allergic and the person likes pets, the advice could be a reptile or invertebrate.

Edwin willis? Not sure about edwin? I was referring to Richard.

Edwin Willis wrote the book "The Biotic Associations of Cockroaches" in 1960 together with the very famous Louis M. Roth. This book really made the scientific world aware of the huge majority of cockroaches that have never been in a house. The great loss is that Roth is gone.

Thank you but what kind of questions are you referring to regarding relocation?

If you have a plan to relocate you might have a need to know unless you are all clear already .... and we are here already, so just a reminder and an offer.BR/

Ole

 

[Bricktop]

That must be annoying. I was not aware that it could become so serious. Normally, if one is easily allergic and the person likes pets, the advice could be a reptile or invertebrate. Edwin Willis wrote the book "The Biotic Associations of Cockroaches" in 1960 together with the very famous Louis M. Roth. This book really made the scientific world aware of the huge majority of cockroaches that have never been in a house. The great loss is that Roth is gone.

If you have a plan to relocate you might have a need to know unless you are all clear already .... and we are here already, so just a reminder and an offer.

BR/

Ole

Here in Europe? My plan is Ireland, whats the scoop you can give me there?

I've never heard of the BAC until you just mentioned it, and no, i was not talking about Edwin Willis although now that you bring it up i certainly will look into it.

 

[OBJ]

Well, now you make it sound like we are journalists telling stories.

You obviously have a plan and your own reason to go there, so I will not interfere with that. Sorry to bring it up.

BR/

Ole

 

[Bricktop]

Well, now you make it sound like we are journalists telling stories.You obviously have a plan and your own reason to go there, so I will not interfere with that. Sorry to bring it up.

BR/

Ole

Oh no i meant no offense, i was just curious as to what you meant? are you talking about the job situation, the housing, or something relating to roaches? I wasn't trying to rag on you.

 

[OBJ]

Oh no i meant no offense, i was just curious as to what you meant?

I was not offended, but I started to think in reverse. What if I was able to get a work permit and had to choose in which state to live and work - many would choose from family relations (not me though). So maybe you had Irish roots and knew the island very well already - then how could anybody make a difference... It is more than 20 years since I visited Ireland, so a lot have happened.... I had not thought that through beforehand as I should. Sorry.

Should I choose a state in US it would have been interesting to find an area, where invertebrates could be found in high numbers with ants and roaches as highest priorities. When in the US, I prefer to move around with somebody local, because I am afraid to enter somewhere without understanding the gun-behavior in that area. It is my No. 1 prejudice about being in the US. It is hard to shake that off and just enjoy...

BR/

Ole

 

[Bricktop]

I was not offended, but I started to think in reverse. What if I was able to get a work permit and had to choose in which state to live and work - many would choose from family relations (not me though). So maybe you had Irish roots and knew the island very well already - then how could anybody make a difference... It is more than 20 years since I visited Ireland, so a lot have happened.... I had not thought that through beforehand as I should. Sorry.

Should I choose a state in US it would have been interesting to find an area, where invertebrates could be found in high numbers with ants and roaches as highest priorities. When in the US, I prefer to move around with somebody local, because I am afraid to enter somewhere without understanding the gun-behavior in that area. It is my No. 1 prejudice about being in the US. It is hard to shake that off and just enjoy...

BR/

Ole

Frankly the areas where gun laws are the most stringent are usually the least safe areas here, i know i live in one. Cities tend to all be the same though. NYC, Detroit and LA for example all have extremely strict gun laws but i wouldn't recommend visiting them without knowing what neighborhoods to stay out of.

As for me, i've got ancestral ties, a bit of land but other than that no relatives still live there, all of them moved away in the last few decades unfortunately. But to get an Irish passport is easy because i'm entitled to it as the son of emigrants. Ireland's changed dramatically over the past 20 years (infact over the past 10 would be more like it). What country are you from, OBJ? as for invertebrates, all you'll get in Ireland are earwigs, centipedes and isopods. The weather is beautiful and mild/cool, but that isn't the weather to find the most interesting kinds of inverts.

If you are looking for diverse insects the southwest or Florida would be up your alley. Over in Florida i saw cuban greens right there on the sidewalk not to mention quite a few impressive grasshoppers. The Southwest from what i can tell has plenty of good stuff to but i've never been there so i couldn't tell you.

 

[OBJ]

Frankly the areas where gun laws are the most stringent are usually the least safe areas here

You might be right, but as with many Europeans, I prefer them not to be there at all. Unavoidable, but still...

But to get an Irish passport is easy because i'm entitled to it as the son of emigrants.

That is the best situation to be in since that will make you not only Irish, but European! It gives you the right to freely cross all borders within the EU. Will they also provide you with a social security number? If they do, you are 'fully integrated', so to speak. You could then relocate to Italy (example) and you would still have your rights intact like you have now in US. Uncomplicates things for you. Even Schwitzerland would be possible to live in, if you wanted, even they are not member of the EU. Pharma could correct that statement. :huh:

. What country are you from, OBJ?

I am from Denmark. The highest taxed country in the world. I pay 63% in tax of the last kroner, I earn. A car costs factory price+small sales fee+180% tax+25% VAT. Only Norway matches that! However, milk is cheaper than water in the supermarket several places in EU, like France and Belgium, where the farmers pour their milk onto the fields in protest...! Republicans would call us socialists because we have a system similar to the health system, that Obama fights for now by you. Big discussion, I know... :angry:

The weather is beautiful and mild/cool, but that isn't the weather to find the most interesting kinds of inverts.

Yes, cool summers and mild winters and once in a while a storm to set things in place. So you could dig into the differences between islanders like the Irish and the people on the mainland - its quite big and difficult to pinpoint exactly!However, we hear that the Irish situation is declining heavily during the crises - actually the worst place to be in whole of Europe compared to 'before'.

If you are looking for diverse insects the southwest or Florida would be up your alley. Over in Florida i saw cuban greens right there on the sidewalk not to mention quite a few impressive grasshoppers. The Southwest from what i can tell has plenty of good stuff to but i've never been there so i couldn't tell you.

The Southwest would mean warm summers and generally sufficient rain. So cold winters would just mean a need for techniques for the inverts. That must mean a high diversity. Isn't Florida one of the places with high crime rates and many guns? :angry:

BR/

Ole

 

[Bricktop]

You might be right, but as with many Europeans, I prefer them not to be there at all. Unavoidable, but still...

I would disagree and I've heard that Switzerland has extensive gun rights issues (everyone can own a rifle or something like this).

That is the best situation to be in since that will make you not only Irish, but European! It gives you the right to freely cross all borders within the EU. Will they also provide you with a social security number? If they do, you are 'fully integrated', so to speak. You could then relocate to Italy (example) and you would still have your rights intact like you have now in US. Uncomplicates things for you. Even Schwitzerland would be possible to live in, if you wanted, even they are not member of the EU. Pharma could correct that statement. :huh:

Yes, i'm aware of this and it certainly makes the move all the more appealing, although i don't plan to much leave Eire.

I am from Denmark. The highest taxed country in the world. I pay 63% in tax of the last kroner, I earn. A car costs factory price+small sales fee+180% tax+25% VAT. Only Norway matches that! However, milk is cheaper than water in the supermarket several places in EU, like France and Belgium, where the farmers pour their milk onto the fields in protest...! Republicans would call us socialists because we have a system similar to the health system, that Obama fights for now by you. Big discussion, I know... :angry:

Yes, the irony here is that in America we pay a tremendous amount in taxes but get 0 benefits. Frankly I'd rather just keep all the money and get no benefits, but if i'm paying that much, I'd might as well get the cradle to grave treatment you Scandinavians get.

Yes, cool summers and mild winters and once in a while a storm to set things in place. So you could dig into the differences between islanders like the Irish and the people on the mainland - its quite big and difficult to pinpoint exactly!However, we hear that the Irish situation is declining heavily during the crises - actually the worst place to be in whole of Europe compared to 'before'.

Ireland was flourishing on borrowed time and money and now its going to pay the price, unfortunately. Its going to be hit harder than other countries in the EU because its a small country without the resources and industrial capacity of say, Germany or France. Its unfortunate but my choice isn't based on economics but blood, I don't expect to be making millions or have a fancy job title, I'm just hoping to live comfortably and perhaps down the road get a masters degree. The weather in Scandinavia is probably similar to Ireland (despite the stereotype over here that you people live in perpetual winter).

The Southwest would mean warm summers and generally sufficient rain. So cold winters would just mean a need for techniques for the inverts. That must mean a high diversity. Isn't Florida one of the places with high crime rates and many guns? :angry:

Florida has plenty of guns of all kinds, most of the southwest does. Florida is a mixed bag though. Its not as safe as it should be but its far safer than NYC where you can't even get a BB gun. that doesn't mean people are walking around shooting off pistols in the air or openly toting AK47s and the like, I have never actually seen one in real life outside of military personnel.

 

[Pharma]

Hi Bricktop

Welcome back !

Cause your'e talking about me and/or Switzerland I really have to insist!

- Ole is absolutely right about working here with an EU passport (has been faciliated last automn).

-

I've heard that Switzerland has extensive gun rights issues (everyone can own a rifle or something like this).

Either I misanderstand you or it's rubbish!

The law is rigorous and it is quite difficult to get a permission to buy and especially to use a gun and we have here only few people who fancy them (in addition the assortment is small and many types are forbidden). BUT because we have a compulsory military service about every second man is called up for military service and therefore gets a military gun which is only alowed to use during the three weeks per year of military service or in a gun club (where they usually use small calibers). We have to have a tin with ammonition at home (which is only allowed to open in case of war) too. Therefore a person running amok or committing suicide could use the military weapon and ammonition but could also join a gun club, use an axe or jump in front of a train... Because everybody can keep his weapon after military service (prepared for single shot only) there are a lot of weapons in the population (ammonition is only allowed to use or 'own' at gun clubs) but there is only a small number of others and you never have the feeling that there are gun owners underway. Sure, from the few abnormal people committing suicide or shooting their family with a gun, several of them use the military weapon (but that's a minority and they obviously reproduce not that well... ).

Nevertheless there are usually no people on the street wearing guns on them (except maybe a few criminals with illegal pistols and obviously the police) and Switzerland is a very safe place to live (as long as you don't f** up with some war trauma impaired immigrants wearing knifes... )!

Besides: I hate having that gun at home!

But now to the nice side of life!

- The law for importing insects is in most countries of the EU quite lax compared to the USA, duty controls usually don't mind when sending non-declared insects and therefore roaches often cost ten times less than in the states (few cents to 1-2 $ a piece)! There are a few breeders in Germany who deliver to whole Europe (www.schaben-spinnen.de). But I don't know the Irish law...

- The Blattodea culture group is sited in the UK and is THE cockroache association in Europe. Ask user Lucihormetica for further informations.

- We 'only' pay about 10% federal tax and mainly 7.6% sales tax, everyone is obliged to have a health insurance (about 200$/month without additional extensions), we have a very low unemployment (even 'import' well trained workers to compensate lazy natives) and a high education and living standard (but most things cost a lot too compared to the neighboring countries) and we have cheese, chocolate and watches ...

And finally some bad things:

I know this roach allergy too well... My Archimandrita sp. give me this 'mosquito bit' like red dots with their feet when they crawl to often over my skin and when I have many roaches in a dry box the air in the room starts to irritate my eyes and my trachea which is caused by dust (faeces, mites, fungi spores or similar could be the reason).

The best thing so far is to keep the culture small, clean, and not too dry. Oh, and I use white saw bugs (Trichorhina tomentosa) in the cultures with wet soil to omit the dust problem completely! Since I have this little helpers my allergy has nearly gone and I tolerate a stonger contact exposure. I hope that my immune systeme somewhen switches from allergy to immunity or tolerance .

Liebs Grüessli

Andreas

 

[Bricktop]

Hi BricktopWelcome back !

Cause your'e talking about me and/or Switzerland I really have to insist!

- Ole is absolutely right about working here with an EU passport (has been faciliated last automn).

-

Either I misanderstand you or it's rubbish!

The law is rigorous and it is quite difficult to get a permission to buy and especially to use a gun and we have here only few people who fancy them (in addition the assortment is small and many types are forbidden). BUT because we have a compulsory military service about every second man is called up for military service and therefore gets a military gun which is only alowed to use during the three weeks per year of military service or in a gun club (where they usually use small calibers). We have to have a tin with ammonition at home (which is only allowed to open in case of war) too. Therefore a person running amok or committing suicide could use the military weapon and ammonition but could also join a gun club, use an axe or jump in front of a train... Because everybody can keep his weapon after military service (prepared for single shot only) there are a lot of weapons in the population (ammonition is only allowed to use or 'own' at gun clubs) but there is only a small number of others and you never have the feeling that there are gun owners underway. Sure, from the few abnormal people committing suicide or shooting their family with a gun, several of them use the military weapon (but that's a minority and they obviously reproduce not that well... ).

Nevertheless there are usually no people on the street wearing guns on them (except maybe a few criminals with illegal pistols and obviously the police) and Switzerland is a very safe place to live (as long as you don't f** up with some war trauma impaired immigrants wearing knifes... )!

Besides: I hate having that gun at home!

But now to the nice side of life!

- The law for importing insects is in most countries of the EU quite lax compared to the USA, duty controls usually don't mind when sending non-declared insects and therefore roaches often cost ten times less than in the states (few cents to 1-2 $ a piece)! There are a few breeders in Germany who deliver to whole Europe (www.schaben-spinnen.de). But I don't know the Irish law...

- The Blattodea culture group is sited in the UK and is THE cockroache association in Europe. Ask user Lucihormetica for further informations.

- We 'only' pay about 10% federal tax and mainly 7.6% sales tax, everyone is obliged to have a health insurance (about 200$/month without additional extensions), we have a very low unemployment (even 'import' well trained workers to compensate lazy natives) and a high education and living standard (but most things cost a lot too compared to the neighboring countries) and we have cheese, chocolate and watches ...

And finally some bad things:

I know this roach allergy too well... My Archimandrita sp. give me this 'mosquito bit' like red dots with their feet when they crawl to often over my skin and when I have many roaches in a dry box the air in the room starts to irritate my eyes and my trachea which is caused by dust (faeces, mites, fungi spores or similar could be the reason).

The best thing so far is to keep the culture small, clean, and not too dry. Oh, and I use white saw bugs (Trichorhina tomentosa) in the cultures with wet soil to omit the dust problem completely! Since I have this little helpers my allergy has nearly gone and I tolerate a stonger contact exposure. I hope that my immune systeme somewhen switches from allergy to immunity or tolerance .

Liebs Grüessli

Andreas

Well i suppose you came into the thread at a convenient time! Thank you! I have some friends trying to go live in switzerland (they are of swiss descent) and they all love it there.

The states aren't SO bad regarding shipping, just certain states can be real sticklers, like Tennessee.

As for guns, i don't own one but i'd certainly like one, or at least knowledge on how to use one. Its a tool like any other except its easy to abuse in the wrong hands. What you said regarding the can of ammunition and access to the military guns is probably what i had heard, so i suppose i heard half right. I know Ireland is strict about it because of the Troubles, it always has been though to my knowledge.