Today we’d like to introduce you to Mel & Chris Adams.
Hi Mel & Chris, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Luna Roaches started very organically and out of necessity rather than as a traditional business plan. We are homesteaders at heart, and a big part of our lifestyle has always been about being more intentional, more self-sufficient, and more thoughtful about how animals are cared for, no matter the size.
Like many reptile keepers, we initially began raising discoid roaches to feed our own animals. What started as a small, practical solution quickly grew into something much bigger. As we learned more, we realized how inconsistent the feeder insect industry could be, especially when it came to nutrition, care, and transparency. We saw an opportunity to do things differently.
Because we live a homesteading lifestyle, we approached roach breeding the same way we approach everything else. Slow, intentional growth. Quality over quantity. Respect for the animals and the systems that support them. We grow a large portion of our roach food ourselves, organically and from seed, so we know exactly what goes into their diet. That level of control and connection to the process is important to us.
Over time, word spread. What began as a small setup to support our own animals turned into a full operation serving customers who were looking for healthier, more responsibly raised feeder insects. As demand grew, so did our commitment to education, transparency, and animal welfare. We invested in better systems, better housing, and better processes, always with the goal of keeping our colonies healthy and stable rather than pushing growth too fast.
Today, Luna Roaches is a reflection of who we are. We are still homesteaders, still hands-on, and still deeply involved in every part of the process. From soil to roach to reptile, we believe stewardship matters. Getting to where we are today has been a combination of learning, adapting, and staying true to our values, even when that meant growing more slowly than expected.
We are proud of how far we have come, but even more excited about where we are headed. Luna Roaches continues to grow alongside our homestead, rooted in the belief that even the smallest animals deserve thoughtful care and that doing things the right way is always worth it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, and in many ways that is what shaped Luna Roaches into what it is today. Working with live animals means there is very little room for shortcuts. Growth rates cannot be rushed, seasons matter, and nature does not always cooperate, no matter how well you plan.
Some of the biggest challenges came from learning how to scale responsibly. Demand can grow faster than biology allows, especially with tropical insects that slow down in colder months. Learning to say no, set limits, and sometimes disappoint people in the short term in order to protect long-term colony health was not easy.
Weather has also been a constant challenge. Shipping live insects means every cold snap or heat wave requires careful decisions, sometimes holding orders longer than we would like or absorbing costs to ensure safe arrival. Those decisions are always made with animal welfare first, even when it is not the most convenient option.
There were also growing pains on the business side, from finding systems that could actually handle subscriptions and inventory planning to educating customers on why availability is sometimes limited. Raising cockroaches sounds simple on the surface, but it is surprisingly intricate work that demands patience, observation, and flexibility.
Every challenge forced us to slow down, learn more, and do better. None of it was wasted. Those struggles shaped our standards, our systems, and our commitment to stewardship, and they continue to guide how we move forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Luna Roaches is a specialized breeder of Discoid roaches, focused on quality, welfare, and consistency rather than mass production. We provide feeder insects primarily for reptile keepers, breeders, and research institutions, with a strong emphasis on responsible husbandry and transparency.
What sets us apart is how intentionally we approach every part of the process. We do not rush growth, we do not overproduce, and we do not treat insects as disposable inventory. Discoid roaches are tropical insects with very specific needs, and we structure our entire operation around meeting those needs long term. That includes temperature control, stable housing, careful population management, and nutrition that goes far beyond standard commercial feeds.
Brand-wise, what we are most proud of is the trust we have built. Our customers know that if we ship, it is because conditions are safe. If we hold an order, it is because we are protecting the animals, not cutting corners. That level of trust takes time, and it is something we guard closely.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
We rely more on practical tools and lived experience than any single app or book, but there are a few resources and habits that genuinely support how we work and make decisions.
From a day-to-day business standpoint, organizational tools like spreadsheets and scheduling systems are essential. Managing live animals requires planning, forecasting, and flexibility, especially when weather and seasonal changes are involved. Having clear systems in place allows us to stay proactive rather than reactive.
Education and observation play a much bigger role than any single resource. We regularly review academic research, university extension publications, and husbandry discussions related to insects, reptiles, and sustainable agriculture. Staying curious and continuously learning has been far more valuable than following any one method or trend.
We also learn a great deal from our community. Conversations with other breeders, keepers, and researchers often provide insights that no app or book can replicate. Shared experience has been one of our most valuable resources.
Pricing:
- Subscriptions start at $18.40
- Non-Subscription options start at $21.40
- Breeder Kits start at $50 but are based on availability
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lunaroaches.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunaroaches/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LunaRoaches/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/lunaroaches
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lunaroaches
