All Angles Creatures

Care Guides

How to Store Every Feeder Insect: Complete Storage Guide

By Matt Goren2 min read

How to Store Every Feeder Insect at Home

Every feeder insect has different storage requirements. Some go in the fridge, some need room temperature, some need daily food, and some need nothing at all. This guide covers every common feeder in one place.

Feeder Storage Temp Shelf Life Needs Food? Key Rule
Discoid Roaches Room temp (70-85°F) Weeks-months Yes — scraps + water crystals Do NOT refrigerate
Silkworms Room temp (65-75°F) 1-2 weeks Yes — mulberry chow daily Do NOT refrigerate
BSFL Fridge (50-55°F) 2-3 weeks No Easiest storage. Do NOT freeze.
Hornworms Cool (50-55°F) to slow growth 1-2 weeks Ships with food Grow FAST at room temp. Cool to slow.
Mealworms Fridge (35-45°F) 2-4 weeks No Simplest storage — fridge + forget
Superworms Room temp (70-80°F) Weeks-months Bran + occasional veggies Do NOT refrigerate — cold kills them
Waxworms Cool (55-60°F) or room temp 2-3 weeks No Cool slows pupation
Fruit Flies Room temp (72-78°F) 3-4 weeks producing Included in culture Do NOT refrigerate

The Critical Rules

  • Refrigerate: BSFL and mealworms — they go dormant and survive weeks
  • Do NOT refrigerate: Discoid roaches, silkworms, superworms, fruit flies — cold kills them
  • Cool (50-55°F) to slow growth: Hornworms and BSFL — a wine cooler or beverage fridge is ideal
  • Do NOT freeze anything: Freezing kills all feeder insects

Easiest to Hardest Storage

  1. BSFL — fridge, no food, 2-3 weeks. Zero effort.
  2. Mealworms — fridge, no food, 2-4 weeks. Zero effort.
  3. Discoid Roaches — room temp bin, food scraps every few days, weeks-months.
  4. Superworms — room temp in bran, occasional veggies.
  5. Hornworms — cool storage, use quickly (grow fast).
  6. Silkworms — room temp, need mulberry chow daily. Most perishable.

Shop all feeders at All Angles Creatures — shipped with our live arrival guarantee.

— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures

Last updated