dubia com
Dubia.com: What It Really Offers and Why Reptile Owners Keep Going Back
Dubia.com is a major online supplier for live pet food—mostly feeder insects like Dubia roaches, hornworms, superworms, and mealworms. They’re one of the biggest names in the reptile care space, and they claim to produce over 100 million Dubia roaches every year. That’s a lot of bugs. The company ships across the U.S., promises live arrival year-round, and offers free shipping options on some orders. But not every experience is smooth, and knowing what to expect matters.
What Dubia.com Actually Sells
The core of Dubia.com’s business is live feeders. Their catalog covers Dubia roaches in multiple sizes, hornworms, superworms, mealworms, waxworms, and even specialty feeders like NutriGrubs (black soldier fly larvae). Each insect type fits different diets—bearded dragons, geckos, frogs, chameleons, and other insectivores all have specific needs. Dubia roaches, for example, are high in protein and calcium but lower in fat compared to mealworms. They’re easy to digest and don’t smell bad.
You can buy in bulk or as one-time packs. Some keepers order thousands at a time to breed their own colonies. The site also sells reptile enclosures, lighting setups, and feeder cups, but the insects are the main draw.
Their system is built for convenience: same-day shipping if you order before 10 a.m. CST, live arrival guaranteed, and an optional subscription plan. The subscription helps if you feed multiple animals and don’t want to run out midweek.
Why People Use Dubia.com
There are practical reasons people use them instead of running to a pet store. For one, local stores often have limited stock or poor-quality feeders. A healthy feeder insect should move actively and show no signs of mold or disease. Buying direct from a large producer usually means fresher stock and consistent size options.
Dubia.com has also built a community presence. They have large followings on Facebook and Instagram, where they post updates about breeding, care tips, and sales. Customers can join discussions, share reptile photos, and talk about feeding routines. That kind of engagement builds trust, at least for people who want to see the human side of the business.
Another advantage is scale. When a company produces over 100 million roaches a year, they can standardize feeding and breeding conditions. That translates to consistent nutrition profiles in their insects, which matters more than most people realize. Poorly fed feeders lead to nutrient-deficient reptiles.
What Can Go Wrong
Not every review of Dubia.com is glowing. On Trustpilot, their rating sits around 2.4 out of 5. The main complaints are slow customer service, shipping problems, and insects arriving dead. Some customers reported wrong sizes or missing quantities. One reviewer said 30 percent of their order was the wrong size. Another mentioned dead roaches and poor packaging during hot weather.
Shipping live insects is complicated. Heat, cold, or delays in transit can kill them fast. Dubia.com says they use insulated packaging and seasonal heat or cold packs, but some customers said it wasn’t enough. If you live somewhere hot, packages left on a porch for a few hours can cook your feeders. That’s not always the company’s fault, but it still causes frustration.
Customer support seems hit or miss. Some users said they got refunds or replacements without issue. Others claimed they emailed multiple times without hearing back. That inconsistency is a weak point for a company handling perishable, live goods.
When to Order and How to Avoid Issues
Timing matters a lot. The safest time to order live feeders is early in the week—Monday or Tuesday. That way, they move through shipping networks without sitting in a warehouse over the weekend.
Check your local weather before ordering. If daytime temperatures are over 90°F or below 40°F, delay your purchase or ask customer service about heat or cold pack options.
When your shipment arrives, open it right away. Check for movement and overall condition. Count roughly how many insects are alive versus dead. If there are problems, take photos immediately—dead insects, wrong sizes, damaged packaging—and contact Dubia.com the same day. Their live arrival guarantee requires proof within a short window.
If you’re buying large quantities, make sure you’re ready to care for them. Dubia roaches need a warm, dark space with ventilation and food (dry gut-load feed and fresh vegetables). Poor setup can kill your colony within days, even if the insects arrive healthy.
How Dubia Roaches Are Bred and Why It Matters
Dubia roaches (Blaptica dubia) are tropical insects originally from Central and South America. They reproduce slowly compared to crickets but are quieter, don’t smell, and can’t climb smooth surfaces. That’s why they’re popular for home breeding.
Dubia.com claims to be the largest producer in the U.S. That scale allows them to maintain optimal conditions—temperatures between 85–95°F, humidity around 50–60 percent, and a diet designed to balance protein and moisture. Roaches grown under poor conditions are weak, and their nutritional value drops fast.
If your reptile eats mostly one type of feeder, you’ll want consistency in that feeder’s nutrient content. Dubia.com’s production scale suggests more control, though they don’t publicly list their exact feed recipe.
Pricing and Deals
Dubia.com’s prices vary by quantity and insect type. A small order of 100 medium Dubia roaches costs roughly the same as a few dozen crickets from a pet store, but they offer better volume discounts. Subscriptions cut costs further and prevent last-minute reorders.
They often run “Today’s Deals” with 10–20% discounts or free shipping. New customers can use codes for 15% off. Compared to similar suppliers, they’re mid-range in price—cheaper than boutique breeders but a bit higher than small local sellers.
For someone feeding a single reptile, it’s convenient but not the cheapest option. For breeders or multi-reptile households, the consistency and bulk pricing can justify the cost.
Real-World Experience
Customer feedback is mixed, but the trend is predictable: when shipping goes well, people are happy; when it doesn’t, they’re vocal. Some long-term buyers report zero issues after dozens of orders. Others had a single bad experience and stopped using them entirely.
The takeaway is simple: treat the first few orders as tests. See how your packages arrive across different seasons. Note the response time from support if something goes wrong. Over time, you’ll know whether their process works for your location and needs.
Common Mistakes People Make
People new to live feeders often assume that “live arrival guaranteed” means they’ll get replacements no matter what. It doesn’t. If you don’t open your box the day it arrives, you might void that guarantee.
Another mistake is ordering in bulk without proper storage. Dubia roaches can live for months, but they still need food, moisture, and airflow. Superworms and hornworms die quickly if left in poor conditions.
Ignoring weather warnings is another big one. Dubia.com usually displays a banner about shipping delays during extreme weather. Some customers overlook that, then complain about dead shipments. Always read the alerts before clicking checkout.
Final Thoughts
Dubia.com fills a niche that few companies manage at scale—reliable feeder insect production for reptile owners. Their strength lies in size, variety, and speed. The downsides are customer service inconsistency and natural risks of shipping live animals.
If you handle the basics—timing your orders, checking temperatures, inspecting arrivals—you’ll probably be fine. If you expect perfection every time, you might be disappointed. Live feeder suppliers work on tight biological schedules, and delays happen.
For most reptile keepers, Dubia.com is still one of the better options available nationwide. You get what you pay for: decent prices, big selection, and mostly healthy feeders. Just don’t assume “guaranteed” means magic.
FAQ
Is Dubia.com a reputable company?
Yes, they’re a legitimate U.S.-based business producing millions of live insects annually. They have a physical operation in Wichita, Kansas.
Do they ship live insects year-round?
Yes, but extreme weather can cause delays or losses. They use heat or cold packs as needed.
What’s the live arrival guarantee?
They replace or credit orders if insects arrive dead, but you must report it immediately with proof.
Can you breed the roaches you buy?
Yes. Many buyers start colonies using Dubia.com roaches. Keep them warm and fed to sustain reproduction.
What’s the best day to order?
Order Monday or Tuesday morning to avoid weekend delays in shipping.
Are they the cheapest option?
Not always, but they’re consistent and scale-friendly for regular buyers.
Post a Comment