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Top 5 Live and Dried Insect Foods in Canada for 2025 — Lab-Verified, Protein-Rich Options for Breeding, Molting & Active Birds

Published on Wednesday, August 20, 2025

High-protein live feeders and dried insect options like mealworms, crickets, and larvae are increasingly popular among Canadian bird owners, breeders, and backyard wildlife enthusiasts. These products supply natural prey items and concentrated protein that support breeding, molting, and high-energy needs for insectivorous or growing birds. Canadian consumers favor a mix of live, freeze-dried, canned, and dried formats because they balance nutritional value, storage convenience, seasonal availability, and animal welfare. Sustainability and traceability — especially the rise of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as a lower-impact feed — are driving purchasing decisions alongside practical concerns such as shipping reliability in Canada, ease of use for busy owners, and product form matched to species-specific feeding habits.

Quick Menu

1. Best Freeze-Dried Mealworms

2. Best Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae

3. Best Live Mealworms (Staple Feed)

4. Best Dried Mealworms for Birds

5. Best Canned Crickets (Convenience)

1
BEST FREEZE-DRIED MEALWORMS

Fluker's Freeze-Dried Mealworms

Fluker's Freeze-Dried Mealworms

Fluker's Freeze-Dried Mealworms are a best-in-class dried feeder thanks to consistent nutrient retention, long shelf life, and a user-friendly format that reduces mold and handling risk compared with live feeders. They stand out financially for retailers and hobbyists by offering a balance of convenience and competitive per-treat cost versus premium canned or live options, making them ideal when storage and low maintenance are priorities.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • Protein-packed punch

  • Shelf-stable crunch

  • Protein-packed punch

  • Shelf-stable crunch

Review Summary

90%

"Users say Fluker's freeze-dried mealworms are convenient, long-lasting, and readily accepted by reptiles and wild birds, though a minority report occasional dryness or dusty crumbs in the bag."

  • Birds' crunchy confetti

  • Freeze-dried to retain nutrients and extended shelf life

  • Birds' crunchy confetti

  • Freeze-dried to retain nutrients and extended shelf life

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Fluker's Freeze-Dried Mealworms are a best-in-class dried feeder thanks to consistent nutrient retention, long shelf life, and a user-friendly format that reduces mold and handling risk compared with live feeders. They stand out financially for retailers and hobbyists by offering a balance of convenience and competitive per-treat cost versus premium canned or live options, making them ideal when storage and low maintenance are priorities.

  • Protein-packed punch

  • Shelf-stable crunch

  • Birds' crunchy confetti

  • Freeze-dried to retain nutrients and extended shelf life

  • Popular treat for reptiles, birds, and small mammals as a high-protein snack

  • Protein-packed punch

  • Shelf-stable crunch

  • Birds' crunchy confetti

  • Freeze-dried to retain nutrients and extended shelf life

  • Popular treat for reptiles, birds, and small mammals as a high-protein snack

Order Now

$10-25 CAD

2
BEST DRIED BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVAE

Josh's Frogs Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Josh's Frogs Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Josh's Frogs Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae are positioned as a market-leading alternative protein: nutrient-dense, sustainably farmed, and especially rich in beneficial fats and minerals compared with traditional mealworms. Technically and economically attractive for insectivores and breeders, they often deliver a strong protein-to-cost ratio and lower environmental footprint versus standard dried mealworms or live feeders.

4.7
★★★★☆

  • Calcium-rich nibble

  • Dense energy bites

  • Calcium-rich nibble

  • Dense energy bites

Review Summary

92%

"Buyers praise Josh's Frogs dried black soldier fly larvae for high protein content and consistent quality that pets readily eat; a few note the product is pricier than alternatives but worth it for nutrition."

  • Sustainably farmed surprise

  • High calcium-to-phosphorus ratio beneficial for reptiles and amphibians

  • Sustainably farmed surprise

  • High calcium-to-phosphorus ratio beneficial for reptiles and amphibians

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Josh's Frogs Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae are positioned as a market-leading alternative protein: nutrient-dense, sustainably farmed, and especially rich in beneficial fats and minerals compared with traditional mealworms. Technically and economically attractive for insectivores and breeders, they often deliver a strong protein-to-cost ratio and lower environmental footprint versus standard dried mealworms or live feeders.

  • Calcium-rich nibble

  • Dense energy bites

  • Sustainably farmed surprise

  • High calcium-to-phosphorus ratio beneficial for reptiles and amphibians

  • Lightly dried to preserve fat and protein content

  • Calcium-rich nibble

  • Dense energy bites

  • Sustainably farmed surprise

  • High calcium-to-phosphorus ratio beneficial for reptiles and amphibians

  • Lightly dried to preserve fat and protein content

Order Now

$12-30 CAD

3
BEST LIVE MEALWORMS (STAPLE FEED)

Exotic Nutrition Live Mealworms

Exotic Nutrition Live Mealworms

Exotic Nutrition Live Mealworms lead the live-feeder category by supplying high-survival, high-activity mealworms that provide essential behavioral enrichment and hydration for reptiles and amphibians. Although shipping and short-term storage add logistical cost compared with dried and canned products, their superior palatability and live nutrient profile make them the go-to choice when feeding response and natural hunting behavior matter most.

4.3
★★★★☆

  • Wriggling freshness

  • Breeding practice starter

  • Wriggling freshness

  • Breeding practice starter

Review Summary

84%

"Exotic Nutrition live mealworms are frequently reported as lively on arrival and effective as feeder insects, but customers sometimes experience variable survival rates and packaging issues during shipping."

  • Pet-entertainment live show

  • Sold live to promote natural hunting and enrichment for pets

  • Pet-entertainment live show

  • Sold live to promote natural hunting and enrichment for pets

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Exotic Nutrition Live Mealworms lead the live-feeder category by supplying high-survival, high-activity mealworms that provide essential behavioral enrichment and hydration for reptiles and amphibians. Although shipping and short-term storage add logistical cost compared with dried and canned products, their superior palatability and live nutrient profile make them the go-to choice when feeding response and natural hunting behavior matter most.

  • Wriggling freshness

  • Breeding practice starter

  • Pet-entertainment live show

  • Sold live to promote natural hunting and enrichment for pets

  • Available in multiple count/size options to fit different feeding needs

  • Wriggling freshness

  • Breeding practice starter

  • Pet-entertainment live show

  • Sold live to promote natural hunting and enrichment for pets

  • Available in multiple count/size options to fit different feeding needs

Order Now

$8-25 CAD

4
BEST DRIED MEALWORMS FOR BIRDS

Nature's Way Bird Products Dried Mealworms

Nature's Way Bird Products Dried Mealworms

Nature's Way Bird Products Dried Mealworms are a top pick for avian enthusiasts and backyard bird feeding thanks to consistent quality control, value sizing, and broad retail availability that undercuts many specialty freeze-dried lines. They offer a financially sensible, long-shelf-life protein supplement that compares favorably to pricier freeze-dried or canned options when the priority is routine supplementation rather than maximum nutrient preservation.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • Premium bird bait

  • Easy scatter snack

  • Premium bird bait

  • Easy scatter snack

Review Summary

90%

"Nature's Way dried mealworms are widely liked for attracting wild birds and offering good value and freshness, with occasional comments about dust or clumping in humid conditions."

  • Backyard crowd-pleaser

  • Premium dried mealworms formulated to attract and nourish wild birds

  • Backyard crowd-pleaser

  • Premium dried mealworms formulated to attract and nourish wild birds

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Nature's Way Bird Products Dried Mealworms are a top pick for avian enthusiasts and backyard bird feeding thanks to consistent quality control, value sizing, and broad retail availability that undercuts many specialty freeze-dried lines. They offer a financially sensible, long-shelf-life protein supplement that compares favorably to pricier freeze-dried or canned options when the priority is routine supplementation rather than maximum nutrient preservation.

  • Premium bird bait

  • Easy scatter snack

  • Backyard crowd-pleaser

  • Premium dried mealworms formulated to attract and nourish wild birds

  • Low-odor, shelf-stable protein source ideal for backyard feeders

  • Premium bird bait

  • Easy scatter snack

  • Backyard crowd-pleaser

  • Premium dried mealworms formulated to attract and nourish wild birds

  • Low-odor, shelf-stable protein source ideal for backyard feeders

Order Now

$10-35 CAD

5
BEST CANNED CRICKETS (CONVENIENCE)

Hagen Exo Terra Canned Crickets

Hagen Exo Terra Canned Crickets
🏠 Local Product

Hagen Exo Terra Canned Crickets are a premium convenience product that eliminate live-feeder logistics by providing ready-to-use, sterile crickets with controlled moisture—ideal for sensitive species and quarantine situations. While typically pricier per feeding than bulk live or dried insects, their technical advantage is near-zero mortality, consistent portioning, and reduced pathogen risk, making them a preferred choice for high-end hobbyists and professional facilities.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • Ready-to-serve critters

  • Moist protein boost

  • Ready-to-serve critters

  • Moist protein boost

Review Summary

85%

"Hagen Exo Terra canned crickets are appreciated for convenience and ready-to-feed format, though reviewers sometimes report dead or stale specimens and occasional canning inconsistencies."

  • Pop-the-can wrigglefest

  • Live crickets in a canned format that reduces escape and handling issues

  • Pop-the-can wrigglefest

  • Live crickets in a canned format that reduces escape and handling issues

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Hagen Exo Terra Canned Crickets are a premium convenience product that eliminate live-feeder logistics by providing ready-to-use, sterile crickets with controlled moisture—ideal for sensitive species and quarantine situations. While typically pricier per feeding than bulk live or dried insects, their technical advantage is near-zero mortality, consistent portioning, and reduced pathogen risk, making them a preferred choice for high-end hobbyists and professional facilities.

  • Ready-to-serve critters

  • Moist protein boost

  • Pop-the-can wrigglefest

  • Live crickets in a canned format that reduces escape and handling issues

  • Convenient, low-maintenance feeding option for reptiles and amphibians

  • Ready-to-serve critters

  • Moist protein boost

  • Pop-the-can wrigglefest

  • Live crickets in a canned format that reduces escape and handling issues

  • Convenient, low-maintenance feeding option for reptiles and amphibians

Order Now

$6-20 CAD

What the Research Says About Insect Feeders and Bird Nutrition

Scientific and industry studies show that insect-based feeders can be a nutrient-dense, digestible protein source for many insectivorous birds and for birds with elevated dietary needs (breeding, molting, juvenile growth). Research highlights both nutritional benefits (high protein and fats, valuable amino acids) and practical considerations (chitin effects, need for calcium balancing). For sustainability and circular-economy reasons, black soldier fly larvae have strong and growing evidence as an efficient feed ingredient. Below are key, beginner-friendly takeaways from the literature and field trials.

Protein and amino acids: Mealworms, crickets, and BSFL provide concentrated protein and essential amino acids that support muscle development, feather growth, and energy-demanding life stages.

Digestibility and chitin: Insects contain chitin, which in modest amounts can support gut health and natural digestion; excessive reliance without dietary diversity may require attention to digestibility for some species.

Fatty acids and energy: Many feeder insects deliver useful fats for high-energy activities and helps during cold months; fat levels vary by species and life stage of the insect.

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL): Multiple studies and feed trials show BSFL offer strong nutrient density and a lower environmental footprint compared with conventional feed proteins, making them a popular sustainable choice.

Form matters: Freeze-dried and canned products retain much of the nutrient profile while improving shelf life and safety vs. some live feeders; live insects stimulate natural foraging behavior and are often favored for training and enrichment.

Supplementation and balance: Scientific guidance recommends monitoring calcium-to-phosphorus balance and adding calcium or vitamin supplements when feeding insects extensively, especially for breeding birds and egg-layers.

Safety and handling: Proper storage and sourcing reduce bacterial or mold risk; freeze-dried or canned products lower pathogen concerns compared with poorly handled live feed.

In Canada, live and dried insect foods give bird owners and breeders flexible, nutrient-rich options year-round. On this page you saw five proven choices: Fluker's Freeze-Dried Mealworms, Josh's Frogs Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae, Exotic Nutrition Live Mealworms, Nature's Way Bird Products Dried Mealworms, and Hagen Exo Terra Canned Crickets. For most Canadian buyers balancing nutrition and sustainability, Josh's Frogs Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae stands out as the best overall choice for 2025 thanks to its nutrient density and lower environmental footprint, while Fluker's Freeze-Dried Mealworms and Nature's Way Dried Mealworms offer convenient, shelf-stable options and Exotic Nutrition Live Mealworms and Hagen Exo Terra Canned Crickets are excellent for natural foraging and enrichment. I hope you found what you were looking for — use the site search to refine by species, product form (live, freeze-dried, canned), or province to expand or narrow your options.

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  • Species-Specific and Life Stage Diets

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