Feeding wild birds live mealworms is an entertaining and effective way to attract insect-eating species such as chickadees, woodpeckers, wrens and nuthatches. Feeding also protects these insects from larger predators like squirrels and cats!
Live mealworms may initially seem daunting to new feeders, but most quickly adjust. If you choose to feed live mealworms to your fish, we suggest investing in a caged feeder so only smaller species have access.
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How to Feed Mealworms
Live mealworms can be immensely rewarding for garden birds during breeding and fledgling seasons. While their wiggle may initially seem off-putting, most people quickly adjust and appreciate its benefits in their garden. Dried mealworms don’t wriggle but still work just as effectively (although rehydrating beforehand might be better in colder temperatures).
Feed them using a small plastic shoebox-sized container with a hole punched lid, half filled with wheat bran or soil mix (if you choose). Place this feeder near ground level so insectivorous species can access it directly – such as titmice and jays will frequently visit their feeder this way – while making sure other foods like seed mixes and suet pellets are also provided for their use.
Choosing a Feeder
Feeders designed specifically to house mealworms exist. Smooth surfaces make cleaning simpler; in addition, ensuring their ability to prevent mealworms from crawling out is critical – these pests have the ability to find ways out!
Feeders designed specifically to attract insectivorous birds like bluebirds, titmice, nuthatches, woodpeckers and grosbeaks work best when feeding mealworms; such as open tray feeders with or without cages to keep out predatory insects such as spiders. Cages also contain openings large enough for bluebirds to access.
With the Bird Lover App and its advanced AI bird identification feature, you can identify what species is visiting your yard, their feeding habits and habitat needs, migratory paths and migration times. Furthermore, using Wild Birds Unlimited’s APS Pole System you can easily create custom feeder stations to attract all those backyard birds you’ve long dreamt of seeing! You can attach this convenient system quickly and effortlessly to trees, fences or walls in minutes!
Training Birds to Eat Mealworms
Mealworms provide a nutritious supplemental food source that attracts many wild birds, such as chickadees, wrens, nuthatches, woodpeckers, orioles and bluebirds. With its high protein content that appeals to birds’ natural instinct of feeding on insects, mealworms make an easy offering year-round – simply mix them into your seed mix or place in a tray type feeder where they won’t crawl out!
Mealworms provide wild birds with essential vitamins and minerals for their health. Their high moisture content also makes them a delicious choice when offering food to breeding birds or fledglings that have left the nest, or any young birds that have come out into the open after leaving their parents’ nest. But be sure to offer a wide range of other food choices too in order to maintain an overall balanced diet for all wild bird species living in your backyard – overfeeding is never good!
Mealworm Nutrition
Mealworms provide essential protein for birds. In addition, they also contain B-vitamin, potassium and magnesium – these essential components being lacking from many foods today. While meatworms lack essential amino acids like Tryptophan and Leucine they contain high concentrations of Lysine which makes up the bulk of their amino acid profile.
Mealworms should be kept in an airtight plastic container (like a shoebox) filled with wheat bran and fresh vegetable or fruit slices to help fatten them up a bit. Punching several holes in the lid to prevent escapees is recommended to maintain humidity levels in their home environment.
Mealworms for wild birds are essential during the breeding season when young birds and fledglings must learn to fend for themselves and survive on their own. Furthermore, they attract insect-eating birds who might otherwise struggle to find sustenance elsewhere.
