What should I look for when buying discoid roaches online?

A clear live arrival guarantee, transparent breeding and gut-load practices, proper insulated shipping with heat or cold packs as the season demands, honest reviews, and a real, contactable business. Vague listings and no guarantee are the main warning signs.

Are discoid roaches legal to ship?

Yes - discoid roaches (Blaberus discoidalis) are legal in all 50 states, including Florida where dubia roaches are banned. No permit is needed to buy, sell, or keep them.

How do I know if the roaches arrived healthy?

Healthy discoids are active, have intact undamaged exoskeletons, and look plump rather than shriveled. Lethargy, lots of dead-on-arrival roaches, or shriveled bodies signal poor handling or transit stress - photograph and report immediately under the live arrival guarantee.

Is it cheaper to buy discoid roaches online or locally?

Online breeders usually beat local prices per roach, especially in bulk, though shipping can offset some savings. Local shops let you inspect first but often charge more and stock less. For regular feeding, a reputable online breeder with a guarantee is usually the better value.

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Feeder Insects

How to Buy Quality Discoid Roaches Online (and Avoid the Bad Sellers)

By Matt Goren · Updated June 26, 2026

Care at a glance

Role: Staple feeder
Protein: ~20%
Fat: ~6.5%
Moisture: ~60%
Chitin: low
Ca:P: 1:3
Calcium-rich: No (dust it)
Best for: Most insectivores — beardies, geckos, frogs, monitors

I buy most of my feeders online because a good breeder ships fresher, healthier roaches than my local shops carry - but only if you pick the right seller. Discoid roaches (Blaberus discoidalis) are one of the best feeder insects out there: they can't climb smooth walls, can't fly, don't smell, don't bite, and are legal everywhere in the U.S. The catch is that the buying experience varies wildly between sellers. Here's how I separate the good ones from the rest.

First, why discoid roaches are worth buying at all

Discoid roaches are a Central- and South-American species that's become the go-to feeder roach, especially in Florida where dubia roaches are illegal. They offer:

Solid protein (~20%) and useful moisture (~65%) for hydration.
A softer, more digestible body than a cricket or mealworm shell.
No climbing smooth surfaces and no sustained flight - so escapes are near zero.
No noise, no real odor when kept clean.
Legality in all 50 states with no permit required.

One correction worth flagging, because you'll see it repeated even on seller sites: discoid roaches are Blaberus discoidalis, not Blaptica dubia. Those are two different species, and dubia are the ones banned in Florida. If a listing confuses the two scientific names, that's a small sign the seller doesn't know their product well.

What to check before you order

1. Seller reputation

Look for a breeder, not a flipper. Read third-party reviews (not just the testimonials on their own page), check how long they've been operating, and see whether they actually breed their roaches or just resell. Established breeders who specialize tend to ship healthier, better-fed stock.

2. A real live arrival guarantee

This is non-negotiable for live insects. A proper guarantee covers dead-on-arrival roaches with a replacement or refund, usually if you report within a short window with photos. No guarantee at all is a deal-breaker.

3. Shipping practices

Live feeders need climate-aware shipping. Good sellers use:

Breathable, escape-proof containers with adequate airflow.
Moisture control (damp paper or gel) so the roaches don't dehydrate.
Heat packs in winter, cool packs in summer to buffer temperature swings.
Expedited service to minimize time in transit.

Ask, or check the FAQ, before ordering - especially in extreme weather.

4. Transparency on care

A seller who openly states their roaches' diet, gut-load, and living conditions is one who has nothing to hide. Vagueness about how the roaches are raised is a yellow flag.

5. Honest sizing and pricing

Discoids are sold by size (small ~1/4-1/2 in, medium ~1/2-1 in, large ~1-1.5 in). A good listing tells you size and count clearly. Compare price per roach across sellers, but weigh it against the guarantee and shipping quality - the cheapest dead roaches are no bargain.

Red flags that should stop you

No live arrival guarantee.
Vague or copy-pasted product descriptions with no care details.
Reviews that are all five-star with no specifics, or no reviews at all.
Insistence on untraceable payment methods.
No real contact information or business presence.
Confused or missing species information.

Careful vetting up front prevents the frustration of a box of dead roaches and a seller who won't make it right.

When your roaches arrive

Inspect the shipment immediately:

Healthy sign	Warning sign
Active, moving roaches	Lethargy, many motionless
Intact exoskeletons	Crushed or damaged bodies
Plump, hydrated bodies	Shriveled, sunken roaches
Few or no dead-on-arrival	Significant DOA count

If something's wrong, photograph it and contact the seller right away under the live arrival guarantee. Then move the new roaches into a clean, ventilated bin - kept separate from any existing colony for a couple of weeks - with food and a water gel to help them recover from transit stress.

Online vs. local, briefly

Online breeders usually win on price and selection (bulk especially), while local shops let you inspect before buying but stock less and charge more. For anyone feeding regularly, a reputable online breeder with a strong guarantee is the better long-term call - you get fresher, better-fed roaches delivered on your schedule.

Once they arrive, see the complete discoid roach keeping guide and the discoid vs. dubia comparison. Order discoid roaches from All Angles Creatures with a live arrival guarantee.

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