Best Feeder Insects for Tarantulas (Ranked)
Matt GorenShare
Best Feeder Insects for Tarantulas, Ranked
Tarantulas are ambush predators that eat a variety of live insects. The best feeders for spiders share several characteristics: appropriate size, no bite risk during molt vulnerability, and enough movement to trigger a strike response. Here are the best options ranked for tarantula keepers.
#1: Discoid Roaches
Why #1: Discoid roaches are the ideal tarantula staple. They cannot climb smooth surfaces (stay on the enclosure floor where tarantulas hunt), cannot bite (safe during premolt), produce no smell or noise, and are available in every size from tiny nymphs for slings to full adults for large species. Their moderate movement triggers strike responses without excessive escape attempts.
Sizing: Slings → small nymphs. Juveniles → medium. Adults → large. Feed 1-3 per session depending on tarantula size.
#2: BSFL
Why: Soft-bodied, cannot bite, calcium-rich. BSFL add nutritional variety to a roach-based diet. Their slow wriggling attracts both ambush and active-hunting tarantula species. Safe to leave in enclosure during premolt.
#3: Silkworms
Why: Completely soft body means less energy wasted on external digestion (tarantulas inject enzymes into prey). Cannot bite. Zero chitin. Good variety feeder for collections that eat roaches as the primary.
#4: Crickets
Why lower: Crickets are widely used for tarantulas but have significant downsides: they can bite molting tarantulas (potentially fatal), escape into substrate and hide, smell, chirp, and die quickly. If using crickets, always remove uneaten ones before lights out — especially if your tarantula is in premolt.
#5: Superworms
Why lowest: Superworms have strong mandibles that pose bite risk. They burrow into substrate and disappear. Adults only, not for slings or juveniles. Use sparingly as variety.
Feeding Schedule
| Tarantula Size | Feeder Size | Quantity | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sling (under 1 inch) | Tiny nymphs or pre-killed | 1 | Every 3-5 days |
| Juvenile (1-3 inch) | Small-medium | 1-2 | Every 5-7 days |
| Sub-adult (3-5 inch) | Medium-large | 1-2 | Every 7-10 days |
| Adult (5+ inch) | Large | 1-3 | Every 7-14 days |
Critical: Premolt Safety
When a tarantula is in premolt (refusing food, darkening abdomen, lethargic), remove all uneaten prey immediately. A cricket or superworm in the enclosure with a molting tarantula can bite and kill it — the soft new exoskeleton offers zero protection. Discoid roaches, silkworms, and BSFL cannot bite — making them the safest feeders if you accidentally leave one in during premolt.
— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures
