Crickets vs Roaches vs BSFL: The Ultimate Feeder Insect Comparison
Matt GorenShare
Crickets vs Roaches vs BSFL: The Ultimate Three-Way Comparison
These are the three most commonly debated feeder insects in the reptile hobby. Crickets are the old standard. Discoid roaches are the modern protein staple. BSFL are the calcium revolution. Each fills a different niche — but two of them clearly outperform the third.
The Master Comparison Table
| Metric | Crickets | Discoid Roaches | BSFL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 18% | 20% | 17% |
| Fat | 6% | 7% | 14% |
| Calcium (mg/kg) | 345 | 800 | 9,340 |
| Ca:P Ratio | 0.13:1 | 0.77:1 | 1.52:1 |
| Gut-loadable | Moderate | Excellent | No |
| Bites reptiles? | Yes | No | No |
| Smell | Terrible | None | Mild |
| Noise | Loud chirping | Silent | Silent |
| Escape risk | High — climb everything | Low — cannot climb smooth surfaces | Very low |
| Shelf life | 1-3 weeks (mass die-offs) | 6-12 months | 2-3 weeks |
| Dusting needed? | Heavy — 0.13:1 Ca:P | Light — 0.77:1 Ca:P | None — 1.52:1 Ca:P |
| Legal in Florida? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can infest home? | Yes | No | No |
The Verdict: Use Roaches AND BSFL, Skip Crickets
This is not really a three-way race — it is two winners and one legacy option that should be retired.
Discoid roaches win the protein category. Highest protein (20%), lowest fat among protein feeders (7%), best gut-loadability, no bite risk, no smell, no noise, no escape risk, and 6-12 month shelf life. They are the modern replacement for crickets in every way.
BSFL win the calcium category. 9,340 mg/kg calcium, positive 1.52:1 Ca:P ratio, no dusting required. They solve the calcium problem that makes every other feeder dependent on external supplementation.
Crickets lose in every meaningful category. They are cheaper per unit — but die in mass quantities (20-50% waste), require weekly repurchasing, smell, chirp, bite sleeping reptiles, escape and infest homes, carry parasites, and have a terrible 0.13:1 Ca:P ratio. Their only advantage is initial unit price — and that advantage disappears when you account for die-off and weekly repurchasing.
The Modern Feeder Rotation
Replace crickets entirely with this rotation:
- Discoid Roaches 3-5x/week — protein backbone
- BSFL 1-2x/week — calcium without dusting
- Silkworms 1-2x/week — ultra-low-fat variety (1% fat)
- Hornworms 1x/week — hydration (85% moisture)
This four-feeder rotation covers protein, calcium, low-fat nutrition, and hydration — the complete nutritional spectrum — with zero crickets, zero smell, zero noise, and zero bite risk.
Shop the complete rotation at All Angles Creatures — every feeder shipped fresh from Florida with our live arrival guarantee.
— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures
