Comparisons
Silkworms vs Crickets: Which Feeder Is Better?
Silkworms vs Crickets: Premium vs Budget
Silkworms and crickets occupy opposite ends of the feeder insect spectrum — silkworms are the premium choice with the best nutritional profile, while crickets are the budget default available at every pet store. The comparison reveals why keepers who try silkworms rarely go back to crickets.
| Category | Silkworms | Crickets |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | 1% | 6% |
| Chitin | None | Moderate |
| Ca:P Ratio | 0.77:1 | 0.13:1 |
| Moisture | 83% | 73% |
| Smell | None | Strong ammonia within 2-3 days |
| Noise | Silent | Loud chirping (constant, especially at night) |
| Bite risk | None | Yes — bites sleeping reptiles |
| Escape risk | None (cannot climb) | High (jump, climb everything) |
| Serrapeptase | Yes | No |
| Protein | 9% | 15-21% |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
The Practical Differences
Beyond nutrition, the daily experience of keeping silkworms vs crickets is night and day. Crickets smell within 48 hours — a sharp ammonia odor that permeates rooms. They chirp constantly at night. They escape through tiny gaps and breed in your walls. They bite sleeping reptiles, causing stress and skin damage. They die within 1-2 weeks, creating constant waste and reordering.
Silkworms produce zero smell, zero noise, zero escapes, zero bites. They are among the cleanest, most pleasant feeder insects to keep in your home. The quality-of-life improvement for the keeper is as significant as the nutritional improvement for the reptile.
The Nutritional Advantages
Silkworms are 6x leaner than crickets (1% vs 6% fat), have zero chitin (crickets have moderate chitin), a 6x better calcium ratio (0.77:1 vs 0.13:1), and higher moisture (83% vs 73%). They contain the unique serrapeptase enzyme that no other feeder provides. For chameleons — where fat content and digestibility are critical — silkworms are dramatically superior to crickets.
Where Crickets Win
Crickets are cheaper and higher in protein (15-21% vs 9%). They are available at every pet store. For budget-conscious keepers who do not mind the smell, noise, and maintenance, crickets remain a viable option.
The Better Approach
Neither silkworms nor crickets are ideal as a sole feeder. The best rotation eliminates crickets entirely: discoid roaches for daily protein (all the protein of crickets with none of the downsides), silkworms 2-3x/week for low-fat premium nutrition, BSFL for calcium, and hornworms for hydration.
— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures
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