You may also provide half an egg carton or a cardboard roll from paper towels for hiding spots, and you may add a branch for climbing. In a cage with just a few roaches, the substrate should be replaced about every four to six months as needed. If your roaches have been breeding, the material should be sieved to avoid throwing away small nymphs. Place the cage in a warm location, as Madagascan roaches are tropical. Unless you plan to breed the roaches or have a poorly heated room, you should not need an additional source of heat.
Madagascan roaches are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night.
Best results for behavioral observations will be obtained if the terrarium stays in a dark room, with a red light for illumination during daylight hours. A 40-watt red incandescent bulb may be purchased in most stores with a varied selection of lighting supplies. You can see the roaches, but they perceive that it is night and go about their normal nocturnal activities. Feed your Madagascan roach dry dog, cat, or rodent food supplemented with pieces of fresh fruits and vegetables. Good fruits and vegetables for these insects include orange slices, banana peels, carrots, apple, grape, sweet potato peelings, potato slices, etc.