How to Care for a Pet Hissing Cockroach

If you've decided to branch out and try a pet insect, one smart choice is a hissing cockroach. While they may be related to the common cockroach, they are wingless, tidy, and slow. Follow these steps to care for them.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Learn More About Your Pet Hissing Cockroach

1. Know that roaches are thigomataxic, which means that they feel safest when in contact with something for security. Plan to add plenty of structures to your hissing cockroach terrarium like sticks and cardboard huts.
2. Expect your hissing cockroach to make a loud sound when disturbed or when mating. Pet hissing cockroaches force air through their breathing pores to make their distinctive sound.
3. Know that pet hissing cockroaches are sometimes called hissing beetles. They are related to cockroaches, but are wingless and rather clean.

Create the Ideal Environment

4. Find an aquarium to properly house your pet hissing cockroach. Aim for yours to be the 10 to 15 gallon type.
5. Add substrate (the ground layer of the environment) to the bottom of the terrarium. You can use sand or wood substrate, although soil is not recommended as it can mold easily. Aim for about one to two inches of substrate on the bottom of the terrarium.
6. Install a lid to keep your pet hissing cockroach safe. Buy a wire terrarium lid at a nearby pet store.
7. Smear a layer of petroleum jelly around the upper lip of the terrarium to prevent your hissing cockroach from climbing the walls of the terrarium and clinging to the lid.
8. Store your hissing cockroach cage in a warm area away from direct sunlight.

Feed Your Pet Hissing Cockroach

9. Add a shallow ceramic dish to your hissing cockroach's cage. This will be the food dish.
10. Collect a smorgasbord of hissing cockroach treats. Try small pieces of vegetables, dry dog food, crackers, fruit, and bread. Note which your hissing cockroach prefers. Replace the food every few days.
11. Soak a cotton ball in water and place it in another small ceramic dish. Your pet hissing cockroach can get all the water it needs from this source.

Play with Your Pet Hissing Cockroach

12. Know that pet hissing cockroaches can be excellent pets. They pose no threat to humans, do not bite and move slowly.
13. Scoop your pet cockroach up, taking care not to pinch its large legs.
14. Hold your pet cockroach in the palm of your hand. Once relaxed, it will travel up and down your hands and arms.