“Ew! Do I have to touch the roaches?”
Just like cleaning your reptile’s enclosure is an important task to keep them healthy, cleaning your dubia roach container is also vital to your reptile’s health. After all, you don’t want your lizard’s food to be dirty or sickly!
But yeah…there’s the “ew” factor.
Luckily, cleaning your dubia roach container only takes a few minutes – and you don’t have to touch a single roach in the process.
The “Bug Keeper” Dubia Roach Container
While the cleaning process we’re about to explain may work for various dubia roach containers options, the container we recommend is our Bug Keeper.
This reusable dubia roach container is the perfect size to keep dubia roaches for a week or two before feeding. You can read more about the features that make this such a popular product in our Bug Keeper article here.
Now, let’s get into how you can easily clean your dubia roach container in just a few minutes.
Cleaning Your Bug Keeper

Before you get started, there are just a few things you’ll need. First, of course, is your bug keeper! You’ll also need the deli cup your roaches came in (with the vented lid) and a bin or bucket with straight sides tall enough that the dubias can’t climb out. We recommend no shorter than 4 inches.

1. Remove any large pieces of cardboard or egg carton to the bin. Use a glove or tweezers if you don’t want to touch it.

2. Pour the remaining roaches and frass (feces) into the deli cup they came in. Replace the lid.

3. Turn the deli cup upside-down, and gently shake from side to side to remove the frass.
4. Give your bug keeper a quick rinse or wash if it needs it.

5. Replace the cardboard and roaches, then secure the lid of your dubia roach container.
That’s all there is to it!
What to Do with the Frass
After your clean your dubia roach container, you’ll have a small amount of frass, or roach feces. But wait! Don’t throw it out. Use it! Frass is a wonderful fertilizer for plants. Here are a few ideas to make your plants happy:

1. Give it to your houseplants. Roach frass is gentle, so it won’t burn the roots of your plants. Just sprinkle it on top of the soil and water it in. It will provide nutrients over time and help your plants grow strong and healthy!
2. Sprinkle it on your lawn. Do you have any spots of grass that don’t grow well? Insect frass can help with that! You can even shake the cup directly on your lawn so you don’t risk spilling any frass inside. (Just keep in mind that frass is high in nitrogen. So if your bare spots come from dog pee, it won’t work there. But it’s great for greening up grass on poor soil!)
3. Use it in your garden. Another great property of insect frass is that plants recognize it comes from potential predators. As a result, if you use frass in your garden your plants will grow extra big and healthy in anticipation of an insect invasion. Your neighbors will be jealous of your lush foliage!
If you don’t have any use for frass yourself, someone you know might! (Or you could send it to your worst enemy… we won’t tell).
Get Your Own Bug Keeper Today
Easy to clean, escape proof, and good ventilation are just some of the reasons why so many of our customers love the Bug Keeper. Buy yours today and see for yourself!
Thanks for the fabulous article. I didn’t know I could use the frass as fertilizer for my plants and garden too! : )
Have a great day!
You are so welcome, Emily! I love learning new things!
I hope you have a great day as well. 🙂
This is super helpful! I am getting ready to bring home a bearded dragon and have been wondering: How do I gather the roaches out of their home for feeding time?
Thank you!
So glad you found it helpful, Katie – and congratulations on your new dragon! 🙂