Start when the parcel arrives
Bring the parcel indoors and check the label, tub security and condition of the livefoods. Report problems using our order-help instructions. Keep lids secure when opening: escape-prone insects are easier to handle inside a larger secure container.
Follow the particular feeder’s supplied care directions. Do not assume one temperature, food or storage method is right for every tub, and do not put the whole delivery in a refrigerator by default.
Housing and hydration
Feeder insects need enough space, good ventilation and an appropriate supply of food and moisture. Deep open water can drown them. Use a suitable safe hydration method, and remove spoiling food rather than allowing mould to build up.
General feeder-care reference: RSPCA: gut-loading live food ↗.
Check each feeder separately
| Feeder group | Care check |
|---|---|
| Crickets and locusts | Confirm their own temperature, food and ventilation requirements. Secure any openings. |
| Roaches | Use the instructions for the species supplied; check lid security and avoid overcrowding. |
| Mealworms and other larvae | Identify the actual species. Different larvae are not interchangeable for storage, diet or refrigeration. |
| Mixed Food Packs | Check every component tub separately rather than treating the whole pack as one feeder type. |
Contact us with the exact product name when storage directions are unclear. A general page cannot give a safe single temperature for every livefood in the catalogue.
Prepare feeders for the meal
Plan gut-loading before feeding day, and keep any dusting or supplement routine specific to the animal being fed. Read the beginner’s feeding guide for the distinction between feeder care, gut-loading and supplementation.
Buy quantities you can realistically care for and use. Note arrival dates and use the oldest suitable stock first, while checking its condition.
Keep animal and human food separate
Use dedicated equipment for feeder care. Clean it away from human food-preparation areas and wash hands afterwards. Do not allow children to handle livefoods or reptile equipment unsupervised.
Hygiene reference: CDC: reptiles, amphibians and hygiene ↗.