Freeze-Dried Garden Peas — Natural Plant Protein for Isopods, Millipedes & Detritivores

100% natural freeze-dried garden peas — a single-ingredient, plant-based protein and fibre source that's quietly become one of the most popular treats among isopod keepers worldwide. Freeze-dried (not just dehydrated) to preserve the full nutritional profile, with no chemicals, preservatives, or additives. Just whole garden peas, frozen and dried.

What makes them special is the response: most isopod species absolutely love them. Drop a few peas into an enclosure and you'll often see your colony swarm within minutes. They're light enough for adult isopods to drag back to their hides, and you'll regularly catch isopods on their backs, rotating a pea as they munch through it.

Why Freeze-Dried Peas?

Freeze-dried peas have become a staple in serious isopod keeping for several reasons:

High plant-based protein. Around 23% protein content — significant for a vegetable. For isopods, regular protein supplementation is essential. Some species (particularly large Porcellio) will resort to cannibalism if they don't get enough protein in their diet, eating their own newly-moulted soft individuals before the new exoskeleton hardens. Plant-based protein from peas helps prevent this without the issues that animal-based proteins can cause in humid enclosures.

High fibre content. Detritivores need significant fibre, and peas deliver it in a form that's appealing to invertebrate feeding behaviour. The combination of protein and fibre makes peas a more rounded supplementary food than pure protein supplements.

Vitamins and minerals. Garden peas naturally contain Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, manganese, and a range of B vitamins. Freeze-drying preserves these far better than heat-based dehydration methods.

No preservatives or additives. Just peas. Single ingredient, fully natural. For keepers who prefer minimally processed foods, this is ideal.

Light and easy to handle for isopods. Unlike heavy fresh vegetables, freeze-dried peas are light enough for adult isopods to physically move around the enclosure. This encourages natural foraging behaviour — animals will drag peas back to their preferred hides and feed in groups, which mimics how they'd handle food in the wild.

Long shelf life. Sealed and stored properly, freeze-dried peas can last 25 years (this is genuinely accurate for properly freeze-dried products). Realistically, your bag will last 6+ months for a typical hobby setup, even with regular feeding.

Less spoilage risk than fresh peas. Fresh peas in a humid enclosure mould within 24 hours. Freeze-dried peas hold up much longer before spoilage becomes an issue, giving you more flexibility on feeding schedules.

Which Invertebrates Benefit?

Isopods. The primary audience. Almost every isopod species we stock will eagerly consume freeze-dried peas. Particularly notable responses from:

• Cubaris species — peas are widely reported as a favourite among Cubaris keepers
• Ardentiella (ex-Merulanella) — including Batman, Lava, Yellow Phoenix, and other premium morphs
• Porcellio species — particularly important for protein supplementation, as Porcellio are prone to cannibalism without enough protein
• Armadillidium species — another reliable favourite
• Beginner colonies of Porcellio scaber and Giant Orange (P. laevis) — peas are an inexpensive way to dramatically improve their diet variety

Millipedes. Larger species in our millipede collection will accept crushed peas as supplementary food. Most millipedes prefer leaf litter and rotting wood as primary diet, but the variety from peas is welcome.

Snails. Rodatzi GALS, Pink Lipped Panthera, and standard Lissachatina fulica will all eat freeze-dried peas, particularly when crushed or when the peas have rehydrated slightly from enclosure humidity.

Cockroaches. Species in our cockroach collection are highly responsive to peas. A useful supplementary food for ornamental cockroach colonies.

Springtails. Crushed peas added to springtail cultures boost population growth significantly. The fine "pea dust" from crushing whole peas works particularly well for tiny springtails.

How to Feed

The crushing approach. The most effective method, recommended by experienced isopod keepers worldwide: crush 1–2 peas between your fingers and sprinkle the resulting "pea dust" on the dry side of the enclosure. The fine particles maximise surface area for grazing, and isopods will swarm to it quickly. This works for almost all isopod species.

Whole pea approach. Place 1–2 whole peas directly on the substrate. Larger isopods will physically move them around, while smaller individuals will graze at the surface. Watching isopods on their backs rotating a pea as they chew through it is one of the more entertaining behaviours in the hobby.

Misted approach. Some keepers mist the peas lightly to soften them before placing in the enclosure. This makes them easier for smaller species and snails to consume. Not necessary for most isopods but can help with very small species or snails.

Feeding frequency. Once or twice per week as a supplementary food. Don't overfeed — even freeze-dried peas can mould eventually in humid enclosures, and excessive protein attracts mites and fruit flies. If peas remain uneaten after 48 hours, you've offered too much.

Important: Peas are a supplement, not a primary food. Your invertebrates still need their staple diet of dried leaf litter (magnolia leaves, bamboo leaf litter) and rotting wood. Peas add variety and protein on top of that foundation, not in place of it.

Why Garden Peas Specifically?

Garden peas have a few specific advantages over other vegetable options:

• Higher protein than most other vegetables. Far more protein-dense than carrots, courgettes, or sweet potato.
• Compact and easy to handle. A whole pea is roughly the right size for a single isopod to manage. Larger vegetables need to be cut into pieces; peas are pre-portioned by nature.
• Universal acceptance. Almost every detritivorous invertebrate readily eats peas. Some isopod species are surprisingly fussy about fresh vegetables, but peas seem to be a near-universal favourite.
• Stable and predictable. Unlike fresh vegetables that vary by ripeness, freshness, and variety, freeze-dried peas have consistent nutritional profile from bag to bag.

Storage

Store the bag sealed and in a cool, dry place. Freeze-dried foods are highly hygroscopic — they absorb moisture from humid air, which can lead to clumping, softening, or eventual mould development. Keep the bag tightly sealed between uses.

For a typical small invertebrate collection, the standard bag size will last 6+ months minimum. Peas are offered in tiny quantities — a single crushed pea per feeding session for a colony of 20–30 isopods.

Peas vs Other Protein Supplements

Now that you have several protein/supplementary options, here's where peas fit in:

• Freeze-dried peas: Plant-based protein (~23%), high fibre, single ingredient. Best for variety, plant-protein supplementation, and as a natural treat that most species respond strongly to. 1–2x weekly.
• Dried Daphnia: Whole-organism animal protein (50%), high chitin. Best for chitin variety and natural feeding response. 1–2x weekly.
• Dried Silkworm Pupae: High-fat whole organism (27% fat). Best for breeding conditioning. Once weekly.
• Ultra Tropical Fish Flakes: Formulated insect-based protein (46%). Best for complete daily nutrition. 1–2x weekly.
• Repashy Morning Wood: Plant-based detritivore gel premix with calcium fortification. Best as a regular calcium-fortified supplement. 2–3x weekly.
• Repashy Bug Burger: Calcium-fortified gel for feeder insects and detritivores. Best for cockroach colonies and all-purpose use. As needed.

The most effective approach is rotation — using several supplements across the week rather than relying on any single source. Peas slot in particularly well as the "plant protein" component of a varied diet, complementing the animal proteins from daphnia, silkworm pupae, and fish flakes.

Pairs Well With

For a complete invertebrate diet:

• Dried Daphnia — animal-based protein alternative
• Dried Silkworm Pupae — high-fat treat
• Ultra Tropical Fish Flakes — formulated insect protein
• Repashy Morning Wood — calcium-fortified gel premix
• Repashy Bug Burger — feeder insect and all-purpose gel
• Cuttlebone — essential calcium for moulting
• Malawi Limestone — passive calcium source
• Flake Soil — fermented hardwood substrate
• Magnolia Leaves — primary leaf litter
• Bamboo Leaf Litter — structural leaf cover

For more on invertebrate feeding strategies, read our blog post on feeding isopods freeze-dried fruit and vegetables, or see our setting up guide for full enclosure walkthroughs. Browse the full accessories collection for everything else needed to keep your invertebrates thriving.