What does "gut-loading" mean and why does it matter?

Gut-loading is feeding your feeder insects a nutritious diet for 24–48 hours before they are offered to your animal, so the nutrients in the feeder's gut pass on at feeding time. A feeder that has been starved or kept on poor food passes very little nutritional value along, regardless of how healthy the species looks. Fresh greens, grains, and a calcium/vitamin dusting shortly before feeding are the simplest way to gut-load.

How long can I store live feeder insects before use?

This varies by species, but most crickets and roaches store well for 1–2 weeks in a properly ventilated container at a stable, cool-to-moderate temperature, with food and a moisture source (not standing water, which drowns them). Mealworms keep longest, often several weeks, if refrigerated at a temperature that slows their metabolism without killing them. Check your specific species' storage temperature before assuming a general rule applies.

What container is safe for storing feeder insects?

A ventilated plastic tub with smooth, climb-resistant walls works for most crickets and roaches — mesh lids let air through without allowing escape. Avoid airtight containers, which lead to condensation, mould, and die-off. Keep the container away from direct sunlight and temperature swings, and clean out waste and dead insects regularly to prevent the culture from fouling.

Do frozen or dried feeders need any special handling?

Frozen feed should stay frozen until shortly before use and never be refrozen once thawed. Thaw only what you need for that feeding, ideally in a fridge rather than at room temperature, to limit bacterial growth. Dried insects keep at room temperature in a sealed, dry container, but should still be checked for moisture or mould before each use, especially in humid climates.

— Feeding · Updated July 2026

Feeder-insect care & storage.

How to keep live and frozen feeder stock in good condition between feedings — culture setup, gut-loading, and storage basics that apply across common feeder species.

6 min read·Feeding

Gut-loading before feeding

A feeder insect is only as nutritious as what it has eaten recently. Feeding your crickets, roaches, or mealworms a varied diet of fresh greens, grains, and a light calcium or vitamin dusting for 24–48 hours before use passes those nutrients on to your animal at feeding time. A starved or poorly fed feeder offers very little nutritional value, no matter how healthy it looks.

Culture setup and container choice

A ventilated plastic tub with smooth, climb-resistant walls and a mesh lid is a safe default for most crickets and roaches. Airtight containers cause condensation, mould, and die-off — always prioritise airflow. Provide a moisture source such as a damp sponge or gel rather than standing water, which drowns most feeder species. Clean out waste, shed skins, and dead insects regularly to stop the culture from fouling.

Storage duration and temperature

Storage life varies by species. Most crickets and roaches keep well for 1–2 weeks at a stable, moderate temperature with food and a moisture source. Mealworms store longest — often several weeks — when refrigerated at a temperature that slows their metabolism without killing them. Check the storage guidance for your specific species rather than assuming one rule covers all feeders.

Handling frozen and dried feed

Keep frozen feed frozen until shortly before use, and never refreeze it once thawed. Thaw only the amount needed for that feeding — a fridge thaw is safer than room temperature, which encourages faster bacterial growth. Dried insects keep at room temperature in a sealed, dry container, but should be checked for moisture or mould before each use, especially in humid conditions.