Perfect for: Leopard geckos, small lizards, birds, and amphibians
🎯 EkoKeeper Pro Tip: Use your EkoKeeper system to separate frass automatically! Simply tap the outside of the waste chamber with your insert slightly pulled up and the frass and substrate fall right down to the bottom. Than empty in the trash, than place insert back in waste chamber and add fresh substrate on top.
Perfect for: Bearded dragons, larger geckos, monitors, and adult reptiles
💪 Nutrition Boost: Superworms have 20% protein and make excellent staple feeders for larger reptiles. Gut-load with sweet potato for extra beta-carotene!
Perfect for: All reptiles, especially picky eaters, sick animals, and breeding females
⭐ Why Silkworms Are Amazing: 64% protein, low fat, high calcium, and contain natural serrapeptase (anti-inflammatory). Perfect for sick or recovering reptiles. Most reptiles LOVE them!
Perfect for: Hydration boost, bearded dragons, chameleons, and large lizards
💧 Hydration Power: 85% water content! Hornworms are turquoise-blue and incredibly juicy - perfect for dehydrated reptiles or as a summer treat. Watch them glow under blacklight!
Perfect for: Nearly all insectivores - low odor, can't climb, easy to breed
Legal alternative in Florida where Dubias are banned
Fast-moving, active feeders
Large, slow-moving giants
Small, soft-bodied species
🏆 Why Roaches Excel: 36% protein, excellent Ca:P ratio (1:3), low chitin (easy digestion), no odor, quiet, and can be colony-bred indefinitely. Use your EkoKeeper system for hassle-free waste separation!
Perfect for: All insectivores, great movement triggers feeding response
⚠️ Cricket Challenges: Can be noisy, smelly, and cannibalistic. Die-offs are common. Remove dead crickets immediately to prevent bacterial blooms. Consider roaches for a low-maintenance alternative!
Perfect for: Calcium supplementation, reptiles of all sizes, zero maintenance
🦴 Calcium Powerhouse: BSFL contain 934mg calcium per 100g - the highest of ANY feeder insect! Perfect for growing juveniles, gravid females, or calcium-deficient reptiles. Nearly maintenance-free!
Daily feeding, 80% insects, 20% vegetables
Every other day, 60% insects, 40% vegetables
2-3x per week, 20% insects, 80% vegetables
Daily, 5-7 insects per feeding
Every other day, 6-8 insects
Every 2-3 days, 3-5 large insects
Every 2-3 days, varied diet with insects
Weekly, omnivorous diet 40% protein
Compare the nutritional profiles of all major feeder insects to choose the best options for your reptile's needs.
| Feeder Insect | Protein % | Fat % | Moisture % | Calcium (mg/100g) | Ca:P Ratio | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🐛 Silkworms | 64% | 10% | 83% | 177 | 1:1.2 | Premium nutrition, sick animals |
| 🐛 Hornworms | 9% | 3% | 85% | 46 | 1:3 | Hydration, treats |
| 🪳 Dubia Roaches | 36% | 7% | 65% | 700 | 1:3 | Staple feeder - all species |
| 🦗 Crickets | 21% | 6.8% | 69% | 75 | 1:9 | Variety, movement |
| 🐛 Superworms | 20% | 18% | 58% | 124 | 1:14 | Larger reptiles, variety |
| 🐛 Mealworms | 19% | 13% | 62% | 27 | 1:18 | Small reptiles, variety |
| 🪰 BSFL (Calciworms) | 17.5% | 14% | 61% | 934 | 1.5:1 | Calcium supplementation |
| 🐛 Waxworms | 16% | 22% | 62% | 24 | 1:7 | Treats ONLY (high fat) |
Silkworms (64%) followed by Dubia roaches (36%)
BSFL (934mg) - 50x more than crickets!
Hornworms (85% moisture content)
📝 Note on Ca:P Ratios: Ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio is 2:1 for reptiles. Most insects are phosphorus-heavy, which is why calcium dusting and gut-loading are essential. BSFL and silkworms are naturally balanced!
Problem: Too many insects or feeding too frequently leads to obesity and health issues.
Solution: Follow age-appropriate feeding schedules and monitor your reptile's body condition.
Problem: Feeding insects immediately without proper nutrition reduces their nutritional value.
Solution: Gut-load insects 24-48 hours before feeding with high-quality diet.
Problem: Feeding only one type of insect can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Solution: Rotate between different feeder insects to provide balanced nutrition.
Problem: Insects too large can cause impaction; too small provide inadequate nutrition.
Solution: Choose insects no larger than the space between your reptile's eyes.
Learn how to use your EkoKeeper waste chamber system with different feeder insects for effortless maintenance.
Join other reptile keepers using EkoKeeper systems for cleaner, healthier feeder insect colonies. Our Patent-Pending waste separation technology makes maintenance effortless!
Frass falls through - insects stay fresh
Less work, healthier colonies
Sustainable materials, zero waste