Care Guides
Can You Refrigerate Silkworms? Storage Temperature Guide
Can You Refrigerate Silkworms? No.
Do not refrigerate silkworms. Unlike BSFL (which go dormant in the fridge) or mealworms (which survive cold), silkworms are tropical caterpillars that do not tolerate cold temperatures. Refrigeration will stress them, stop them from eating, and eventually kill them. Keep silkworms at room temperature with fresh food available.
Correct Storage
| Temperature | Effect | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|
| 65-75°F (recommended) | Healthy, eating, growing steadily | 1-2 weeks |
| 75-85°F | Active, eating rapidly, growing fast | 5-10 days (outgrow feeding size faster) |
| Below 60°F | Sluggish, stop eating, stress | Dangerous — may die |
| Refrigerator (35-45°F) | Do NOT — will die | — |
Silkworm Storage Checklist
- Room temperature: 65-75°F
- Feed fresh mulberry-based chow every 1-2 days
- Remove frass (waste) daily to prevent mold
- Provide ventilation (holes in container lid)
- Do NOT refrigerate
- Use within 1-2 weeks of arrival
Pro Tip: Slow Growth by Going Cooler (Not Cold)
If your silkworms are growing faster than you can use them, move them to a slightly cooler area — 65°F instead of 75°F. This slows metabolism and growth without causing the stress that true cold causes. A basement or air-conditioned spare room works well. The key: stay above 60°F.
How This Compares to Other Feeders
- BSFL: Store in fridge (50-55°F) for 2-3 weeks — simplest storage
- Discoid roaches: Room temp, weeks-months — just need food and water crystals
- Hornworms: Store at 50-55°F to slow growth — 1-2 weeks
- Silkworms: Room temp with food — 1-2 weeks. Most perishable of the premium feeders.
Silkworms have the shortest shelf life of our four premium feeders. Order amounts you can use within 1-2 weeks, and plan your feeding schedule around their arrival.
— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures
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