Are silkworms worth the price?

Yes. Silkworms deliver the lowest fat (1%), zero chitin impaction risk, 83% moisture, and the unique serrapeptase enzyme. Used 2-3 times per week as a supplement, they are preventive health insurance that costs a fraction of treating nutritional disease at the vet.

Silkworms

Why Are Silkworms So Expensive? (And Why They're Worth It)

Q: Why are silkworms so expensive?

Silkworms cost more because they require specialized mulberry food, have a short 3-5 week feeding window with no refrigeration option, need daily maintenance, and are more temperature-sensitive during shipping. The nutritional premium — 1% fat, zero chitin, serrapeptase enzyme — is unique and cannot be replicated by cheaper feeders.

By Matt Goren2026-03-18 22:43:03 -04004 min read

Why Are Silkworms More Expensive Than Other Feeders?

Silkworms typically cost more per unit than discoid roaches, crickets, or mealworms. This is not arbitrary pricing — it reflects the genuine cost of raising an insect that is more demanding to produce than any other common feeder. Understanding why helps you appreciate what you are getting for the premium.

The Reasons Silkworms Cost More

1. Specialized Diet

Silkworms eat only one thing: mulberry leaves or mulberry-based artificial chow. Unlike discoid roaches (which eat kitchen scraps, dog food, and produce) or crickets (which eat almost anything), silkworms require a dedicated, specialized food source that must be purchased or harvested. This food cost gets passed to the consumer.

2. Short Shelf Life

Silkworms live for only 3-5 weeks in the feeding stage before they spin cocoons. They cannot be refrigerated to extend shelf life like BSFL or mealworms. This means breeders must time production precisely, manage faster inventory turnover, and accept higher waste rates. Roaches, by contrast, live for months to years — giving breeders far more flexibility.

3. Daily Maintenance

Silkworms need fresh food every 1-2 days and daily frass removal to prevent mold. Discoid roaches need food scraps every few days and monthly cleaning. The labor difference per unit of silkworm production is significantly higher.

4. Temperature Sensitivity

Silkworms are more sensitive to temperature extremes during shipping than roaches or BSFL. They require more careful packaging, which adds material cost.

5. Seasonal Availability

Fresh mulberry leaves are seasonal. Year-round production requires commercial chow, which adds cost. Some producers reduce output during off-seasons, which can create supply constraints that push prices up.

Why Silkworms Are Worth the Premium

The price difference reflects a genuine nutritional premium that no other feeder can replicate:

Benefit	Value
Lowest fat of any feeder	1% — prevents obesity in chameleons, leos, beardies
Zero chitin	No impaction risk — safe for all ages including hatchlings
Highest moisture	83% — exceptional hydration for chameleons and dehydrated animals
Serrapeptase enzyme	Unique to silkworms — may support immune and digestive health
Appetite stimulation	The #1 feeder for breaking through food refusal in picky reptiles

Think of Silkworms as Preventive Medicine

The cost of feeding silkworms 2-3 times per week is a fraction of the cost of treating nutritional disease at the veterinarian. A single vet visit for metabolic bone disease, fatty liver, or gout costs hundreds of dollars. Regular silkworm feedings — alongside discoid roaches, BSFL, and hornworms — is the most cost-effective health insurance your reptile can have.

How to Make Silkworms More Affordable

Buy in bulk — per-unit cost drops significantly with larger orders
Use as a supplement, not a staple — 2-3x per week alongside cheaper daily roaches stretches your supply
Time orders to usage — order only what you will use in 1-2 weeks to minimize waste

— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures

Last updated 2026-03-23 13:02:44 -0400