Florida Legal Feeder Roaches

Florida Legal Feeder Roaches — Discoid Roaches Shipped from Our Florida Facility

If you keep reptiles in Florida, you already know the frustration: dubia roaches — the most popular feeder roach in the rest of the country — are illegal here. Blaptica dubia is classified as a conditional non-native species by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) because Florida's subtropical climate could allow escaped dubias to establish invasive outdoor populations. The penalties for possession can include confiscation and fines.

But that does not mean Florida reptile keepers are stuck with crickets. Discoid roaches (Blaberus discoidalis) are the 100% legal alternative that matches or exceeds dubia in every nutritional metric — and at All Angles Creatures, we breed and ship them from our facility right here in Florida.

Why Discoid Roaches Are Legal in Florida

Discoid roaches are native or naturalized to the Caribbean and southern Florida region. Because Blaberus discoidalis already exists in the wild in parts of Florida and the broader Caribbean basin, the FWC does not classify them as a non-native invasive threat. This means:

  • No permit required to buy, sell, breed, or possess discoid roaches in Florida
  • No shipping restrictions within or into the state of Florida
  • No quantity limits — keep as many as you want, including breeding colonies
  • No reporting requirements to any state or federal agency
  • Legal in all 50 U.S. states — not just Florida

For a deep dive into Florida feeder roach legality, read our full guide: Are Discoid Roaches Legal in Florida? (2026 Guide).

Discoid vs Dubia: The Nutrition Is Nearly Identical

Florida keepers switching from dubia to discoid roaches will find the transition seamless. The two species are remarkably similar in every way that matters for feeding reptiles:

Nutrient Discoid Roaches Dubia Roaches
Protein ~20% ~23%
Fat ~7% ~7%
Moisture ~65% ~61%
Ca:P Ratio 0.77:1 0.74:1
Can climb? No No
Can fly? No No
Bite risk? None None
Smell? None None
Legal in Florida? YES NO — banned

Dubia roaches edge out discoids slightly in protein (23% vs 20%), while discoids carry a bit more moisture (65% vs 61%). Fat, calcium, phosphorus, and behavioral characteristics are virtually identical. Most reptiles accept discoids immediately on the first offering — they look similar, move similarly, and taste the same to your animals. No transition period is needed.

Why Florida Keepers Are Switching from Crickets to Discoids

For years, the dubia ban left Florida reptile keepers defaulting to crickets as their primary feeder. But crickets are, frankly, terrible — and the Florida reptile community is increasingly educated about better options. Here is why the switch is happening:

  • Crickets smell. In Florida's heat, cricket bins become unbearable within 48 hours. The ammonia-like odor permeates rooms, garages, and living spaces. Discoid roaches produce virtually no odor even in large numbers.
  • Crickets die fast. Expect 30-50% die-off within a week — faster in Florida's summer heat. Discoid roaches live for weeks to months with minimal care.
  • Crickets escape. They jump, climb, and squeeze through tiny gaps. In Florida's warm, humid climate, escaped crickets can actually survive and breed indoors, chirping from inside walls for weeks. Discoid roaches cannot climb smooth surfaces — a basic plastic bin is escape-proof.
  • Crickets chirp. Male crickets chirp loudly and continuously, especially at night. In an apartment, condo, or bedroom, this is maddening. Discoid roaches are completely silent.
  • Crickets bite. Uneaten crickets left in an enclosure will chew on sleeping reptiles — particularly around the eyes, toes, and vent area. Discoid roaches do not bite, period.
  • Crickets carry parasites. Commercially raised crickets have documented parasite loads including pinworms and cricket paralysis virus. Discoid roaches sourced from reputable breeders carry significantly lower parasite burden.

The only advantage crickets retain is initial purchase price — they are cheaper per unit. But when you factor in die-off waste (30-50%), replacement costs, maintenance supplies, and the time spent managing cricket bins, the per-feeding cost is comparable. And the quality-of-life improvement — no smell, no noise, no escapes, no biting — is dramatic.

Shipped Fresh from Our Florida Facility

Because we breed and raise our discoid roaches right here in Florida, Florida customers benefit from several significant advantages:

  • Shorter transit times: In-state shipments typically arrive in 1-2 days versus 3-5 from out-of-state suppliers
  • Less heat exposure: Florida summers can push temperatures inside delivery vehicles above 120°F. Shorter transit means less time in dangerous heat, resulting in higher live arrival rates.
  • Climate-adapted packaging: We understand Florida weather intimately — we live and work here. Our packaging decisions are informed by real-time local forecasts, not generic national shipping protocols.
  • Supporting a Florida business: Your purchase supports a Florida-based company that employs Floridians and pays Florida taxes. We are invested in the Florida reptile community.

Gut-Loaded Before Every Shipment

Every discoid roach we ship is gut-loaded with a rotation of organic produce and calcium-rich greens for at least 24 hours before packing. This means the roaches arrive pre-loaded with vitamins, minerals, and calcium that transfer directly to your reptile at feeding time. We never ship empty, unfed roaches — your animals deserve better than hollow feeders.

Perfect for Every Florida Reptile

Florida's warm climate attracts a diverse reptile-keeping community. Whether you keep bearded dragons, leopard geckos, chameleons, blue tongue skinks, savannah monitors, Ackie monitors, Argentine tegus, crested geckos, ball pythons, or any other insectivore, our discoid roaches come in all sizes to match your animal's needs:

  • Small nymphs for baby beardies, juvenile geckos, dart frogs
  • Medium for adult leopard geckos, chameleons, sub-adult beardies
  • Large for adult bearded dragons, monitors, tegus
  • Bulk for pet stores, breeders, and multi-reptile keepers

Florida Pet Stores Are Already Making the Switch

It is not just individual keepers — reptile shops and pet stores across Florida have been steadily replacing their cricket bins with discoid roach colonies. The business case is clear: no odor driving customers away from the feeder section, lower waste from die-off (nearly 100% of purchased inventory gets sold), higher customer satisfaction and repeat business, and zero legal risk. We offer wholesale pricing for Florida pet stores and can set up recurring shipments on your schedule.

The Complete Florida Feeding Rotation

Discoid roaches are the protein foundation, but the most complete feeding program pairs them with specialty feeders:

  • Daily protein: Discoid roaches — dust with calcium + D3
  • 2-3x/week premium: Silkworms — 1% fat, serrapeptase, zero chitin
  • 1-2x/week calcium: BSFL — 9,340 mg/kg calcium, no dusting
  • 1-2x/week hydration: Hornworms — 85% moisture, 3:1 calcium

All four feeder types ship from our Florida facility with the same insulated packaging and live arrival guarantee.

Our No-Questions Live Arrival Guarantee

Every order ships in insulated packaging with seasonal temperature protection optimized for Florida's climate. We guarantee live arrival on every shipment — if any roaches arrive dead, we replace or refund immediately. No photos required, no hassle, no questions asked. Stop worrying about legality. Stop settling for crickets. Browse our full selection of Florida-legal discoid roaches and give your reptiles the nutrition they deserve.

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— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures