Bsfl
Dried vs Live BSFL: Which Should You Buy?
By Matt Goren2 min read
Dried vs Live BSFL: Which Is Right for You?
Both live and dried black soldier fly larvae deliver the same extraordinary calcium content — approximately 9,340 mg/kg with a 6.92:1 Ca:P ratio. The difference is in shelf life, moisture content, and whether your animals need live prey to trigger feeding.
| Feature | Live BSFL | Dried BSFL |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | ~9,340 mg/kg | ~9,340 mg/kg (concentrated) |
| Moisture | ~61% | ~5% |
| Shelf life | 2-3 weeks (fridge) | 6-12 months (room temp) |
| Prey response | Wriggling triggers feeding | None (dead) |
| Price per unit | Higher | Lower |
Choose Live BSFL If:
- Your reptile requires live prey (leopard geckos, chameleons, most insectivores)
- You want the moisture content (61%) for hydration
- You want maximum feeding response and enrichment
- You can use them within 2-3 weeks
Choose Dried BSFL If:
- You feed backyard chickens (they eat dried enthusiastically)
- You keep fish (dried BSFL float and are easy to portion)
- You want months of shelf life with zero refrigeration
- You mix BSFL into omnivore meals (blue tongue skinks, bearded dragon salads)
- You want the lowest per-unit cost
Can You Feed Both?
Absolutely. Many keepers use live BSFL for their reptiles (where prey response matters) and dried BSFL for their chickens and fish (where shelf life matters). Same calcium, different format.
— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures
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