🦎 Feeder Guides & Care Tips

How to Keep Your Feeders Alive, Nutritious, and Worth Every Dollar

By Lace Canopy Exotics

Keeping reptiles healthy doesn’t stop at buying feeders—it comes down to how you store, care for, and use them once they’re in your hands.

Done right, your feeders stay alive longer, stay more nutritious, and actually benefit your reptile instead of just filling it up.

 

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🧬 Why Feeder Care Matters

Feeder insects start losing nutritional value the moment they’re neglected.

Poor feeder care can lead to:

 

• Dead insects within days

• Nutrient loss

• Smelly enclosures

• Weak feeding response from your reptile

 

Proper care gives you:

✔️ Longer lifespan

✔️ Better nutrition

✔️ More active feeders (triggering better feeding)

 

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🪳 Dubia Roaches Care Guide

Best for: Protein staple feeders

Housing:

• Keep in a smooth-sided bin or tote

• Use egg crates for surface area

• Keep dry—no standing moisture

Temperature:

• Ideal: 85–95°F

• Too cold = slow or die off

Food:

• Dry gut-load (grain-based feed)

• Fresh veggies (carrots, oranges, leafy greens)

Water:

• Use fresh produce (avoid open water)

• I also use a wick waterer I came up with this when I could not find anything that work for me. Here is a link to the ones I sell 

👉 Pro Tip: Warm, fed roaches = faster, stronger feeding response from your reptiles.

 

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🦗 Banded Crickets Care Guide

Best for: Active feeders, great hunting stimulation

Housing:

• Well-ventilated container

• Egg cartons for climbing

Temperature:

• 75–85°F

Food:

• Cricket chow or dry gut-load

• Fresh veggies for hydration

Water:

• Use fresh produce (avoid open water)

• I also use a wick waterer I came up with this when I could not find anything that work for me. Here is a link to the ones I sell 

 

👉 Pro Tip: Clean out dead crickets daily—this prevents smell and mass die-offs.

 

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🐛 Hornworms Care Guide

Best for: Hydration + picky eaters

Housing:

• Keep in the cup they come in

• Lid slightly vented Here is 

Temperature:

• 50–65°F = slows growth

• Room temp = fast growth

Food:

• Use the provided hornworm chow

👉 Pro Tip: Put them in a cooler area to control size and make them last longer.

 

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🐛 Silkworms Care Guide

Best for: Premium nutrition + easy digestion

Housing:

• Clean plastic container

• Keep dry and clean

Temperature:

• 70–80°F

Food:

 

• Mulberry leaves OR silkworm chow (Once on Mulberry leaves they will not eat chow) 

👉 Pro Tip: Silkworms are one of the cleanest, most nutritious feeders you can use—highly recommended for chameleons.

 

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🪱 Mealworms Care Guide

Best for: Occasional feeding / backup feeders

Housing:

• Keep in bran or oats

Temperature:

• Refrigerate to slow them down

Food:

• Carrots or potatoes for moisture

👉 Pro Tip: Don’t use as a staple—too much can lead to poor nutrition balance.

 

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🐛 Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)

Best for: Natural calcium source

Housing:

• Keep in original container

Temperature:

• Room temp or slightly cooler

Food:

• No feeding required

👉 Pro Tip: These don’t need dusting—naturally high in calcium.

 

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🔁 Build a Better Feeding Rotation

 

The biggest mistake reptile owners make?

👉 Feeding the same insect over and over.

A strong rotation looks like:

 

• Staple: Dubia roaches + crickets

• Hydration: Hornworms

• Nutrition boost: Silkworms + BSFL

• Occasional: Mealworms

👉 Variety = stronger, healthier reptiles

⚠️ Common Feeder Mistakes to Avoid

 

❌ Overcrowding

❌ No food or hydration

❌ Too cold (kills appetite & lifespan)

❌ Not gut-loading before feeding

❌ Feeding only one type of insect

 

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🛒 Get Quality Feeders That Actually Last

 

At Lace Canopy Exotics, we don’t cut corners.

✔️ Properly fed

✔️ Clean

✔️ Consistent sizing

✔️ Raised or sourced with quality in mind

Because what you feed your reptile…

matters more than you think.

 

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📍 Local Pickup & Delivery Available

Pueblo West, Pueblo & surrounding areas

👉 Order now: www.lacecanopyexotics.com

👉 Or message us directly for local delivery

 

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🦎 Lace Canopy Exotics

 

Premium Feeders. Healthy Reptiles. Real Results.