This project shows you how to build a WiFi‑controlled Dubia Roach breeding box using a ceramic heat emitter, a Sonoff TH16 smart thermostat, and a ventilated 35L enclosure. I designed this system to maintain perfect breeding conditions for Dubia roaches, ensuring a reliable supply of feeder insects for reptiles such as bearded dragons. The build is safe, inexpensive, and easy to maintain — and the WiFi control makes temperature management effortless.

I started breeding Dubia roaches to feed my bearded dragons, but keeping the colony warm and stable was always a challenge. Ceramic heaters get extremely hot, and cheap thermostats fail often. So I built a WiFi‑controlled system that keeps the temperature perfect 24/7, alerts me if anything goes wrong, and makes the colony almost maintenance‑free.

1. Really Useful Storage 35L Solid Black Box
2. Yellow Ceramic Porcelain Lamp Holder (E27)
3. 220V Ceramic Heat Emitter
4. 2‑Core Cable (0.75mm²)
5. 3 × 70mm Soffit Vents
6. Sonoff TH16 WiFi Temperature & Humidity Switch
7. Fine Aluminium Mesh
8. 16 × Cardboard Egg Trays
9. Yellow Spray Paint
10. LCD Digital Thermometer
11. Diall 30A Junction Box
12. Grommet Washer Set
13. 13A UK Plug

Tools

1. Cordless Drill
2. 70mm Hole Saw
3. 47mm Hole Saw
4. 5mm Drill Bit
5. Hot Glue Gun
6. Screwdriver
7. Wire Cutters
8. Wire Strippers
9. Measuring Tape
10. Stanley Knife

1. Drill three 70mm vent holes
2. Drill a 47mm hole for the ceramic heater
3. Cut a 4.7 × 2.7 cm rectangle for the thermometer
4. Spray vents yellow (optional)

a) Prepare the Power Cable

1. Strip brown (live) and blue (neutral)
2. Wire into 13A plug
3. Ensure fuse + cable grip are secure

b) Connect Power Cable to Sonoff TH16 (Input)

1. Brown → L IN
2. Blue → N IN

c) Prepare Heater Cable

1. Strip both ends
2. Brown = live
3. Blue = neutral

d) Connect Heater Cable to Sonoff TH16 (Output)

1. Brown → L OUT
2. Blue → N OUT

e) Wire the Ceramic Heater

1. Brown → live terminal
2. Blue → neutral terminal

f) Final Wiring Check

1. Plug → Sonoff IN
2. Sonoff OUT → Heater
3. No earth required (double‑insulated heater)

1. Insert vents
2. Glue mesh discs inside
3. Install thermometer
4. Route probe through lid

1. Add egg trays
2. Add cardboard tubes
3. Add food dish + water crystals
4. Add roaches

1. Install eWeLink app
2. Add device
3. Set triggers:
4. ON at 28°C
5. OFF at 32°C
6. Test heater
7. Monitor for 24 hours

Feeding & Colony Management

Food

1. Dry chow
2. Fresh veg
3. Avoid wet foods

Water

1. Use water crystals

Breeding

1. 28–32°C
2. Darkness
3. Colony doubles every 6–8 weeks

Cleaning & Maintenance

Weekly

1. Remove dead roaches
2. Replace veg
3. Check humidity & temperature

Monthly

1. Replace egg crates
2. Clean frass
3. Inspect wiring
4. Check vents

Troubleshooting

Too Cold

1. Heater too weak
2. Sonoff misconfigured
3. Too much ventilation

Too Humid

1. Reduce veg
2. Increase airflow
3. Add egg crates

Roaches Escaping

1. Mesh not glued
2. Cracks in lid
3. Overfilled box

Here’s the finished WiFi‑controlled Dubia Roach Breeding Box. The ceramic heater keeps the colony at 28–32°C, the vents prevent moisture buildup, and the Sonoff TH16 handles all temperature control automatically. The colony breeds reliably, stays clean, and requires very little maintenance.