Using an incubator:

[wcbpolish]

I realized that I have an incubator in my classroom. It maintains 37C (100F), but does not seem to have a way to adjust the temperature settings. It is a lab-line model 150.

I have hissing roaches. Would attempting to rear nymphs at 100F be a bad idea? Is this too warm? Thanks for any advice.

I may just try it anyway, but would appreciate insight about the temp.

 

[wcbpolish]

I found how to adjust the temp, but I don't think it adjusts very far, only a few degrees.

I think I have it set at 30C.

 

[Alex]

Give it a shot...just keep food and moisture at all times...high heat will drive up there metabolism..to give them shelter from heat would be nice tho.

 

[wcbpolish]

Well, I have 12 nymphs from last weekend in there in a jar. They have 1/2 an egg carton to climb on, plenty of humidity, and some breakfast cereal to eat.

Right now, I think that my biggest concern is whether there is chemical residue in the incubator. I think it has been used to evaporate water (maybe other solvents too). It smells fine, and has holes for ventilation. I wiped all the surfaced I could with a damp rag.

Worst case, I'm out 12 nymphs. Best case, I have a good place to raise the babies.

(My fastest growing nymphs are at home, in a jar, behind our bed, on top of the baseboard radiator- they have almost outpaced their 4mo old siblings in the one month I've had them!)

 

[Alex]

That's some nice results...

Timberline, ghanns,Armstrong, mulberry farms, premium crickets, Lazy H all keep their brooders in the mid 90s.

Test things out that keeps things interesting.

 

[pierre72]

What did you mean the younger litter outpaced the older? In growth? Running speed? How are they now after a month? Could you post pictures?

 

[wcbpolish]

What did you mean the younger litter outpaced the older? In growth? Running speed? How are they now after a month? Could you post pictures?

Outpaced in terms of growth. I will see about taking some pictures when I get a chance, but right now I'm pretty busy.

 

[wcbpolish]

What did you mean the younger litter outpaced the older? In growth? Running speed? How are they now after a month? Could you post pictures?

Here are some pictures of the two groups (hoping I can post them!) Grid on paper is quarter of an inch squares.

Room Temperature, Older group (only 3 survivors), born 1st September 2013 (~6 monthes old) and around 1 inch long:

In Incubator, 30 degrees C (86-90F), Younger Group (Many survivors, three shown), born 31 January 2014 (only about 2 months old) and most are 1.25 inches long

Sorry that I don't seem to be able to size the pictures smaller.

 

[wcbpolish]

Also, I have another group, also 31 January 2014 birth, at home. They are equivalently sized to the bigger ones, sittingon the register for heat.