Mealworms For Wild Birds.

[sandyRoe]

Are there 'farms' where these are raised? What do the live on and how are they dispatched when they're ready for the market?

[razza]

I use the dry ones,far cheaper,if you have a Wilkinsons store near you quite cheap,I buy them in 1kilogram tubs or packs,I use more at fledging time and winter.I think they are the larvae of crane fly

[Ann]

Good question Sandy, will be interested in knowing that too.

We use tons of them for all our garden bird families and also for feeding two hedgehogs which visit every night! Costs a fortune!

[Ann]

We only use the dried ones - I couldn't bear to use them alive ..... :(

[sandyRoe]

Small birds and Blackbirds were eating for them. But now Magpies are coming and clearing them up in a matter of minutes. They're not cheap.

[Buenchico]

This might be of interest to you, Sandy:
http://www.westknollfarm.com/Meal-Worms.html

[Robinia]

Mealworms are the larvae of mealworm beetle....cranefly larvae are leatherjackets, sometimes found in your lawn!

I'm not sure where the 'farms' are...you can raise your own but it takes time and patience. I buy a big tub (£4.99 from B&M)and ration my birds. I put them where hopefully only the blackbirds and sparrow see them but sometimes a starling on patrol alerts all it's mates.

[sandyRoe]

Ugh. I'm glad I haven't had my breakfast yet. ☺ The dry dead ones will do for me.

[Robinia]

Mix a few in with your All-bran Sandy :)

[sandyRoe]

I'm a porridge person. All Bran was like sweet sawdust. They'd certainly add bite to the morning gruel but whether I could stomach them is another matter. ☺

[Quoi]

My daughter has a pet hedgehog and has her own mini mealworm farm because otherwise it would get too expensive.
The chomping noise the thing makes when it eats them would put anyone off their food.

[razza]

I have a cage over my bird feeder,it only allows birds in up to the size of robins,I put all the food under the cage,i see starlings,pigeons etc doing acrobats trying to get at them,after about 3 days if there is any food left,I take the cage off and let rest of the birds clear them off before I clean it and start again

[pusskin]

I only ever buy dried in Wilkos, much cheaper.
My oh my, they dont last long when I put them out on my bird table.
So much fun to watch my wildlife .

[roopower]

I bought some live meal worms from a supplier some years ago. The instructions said that they should live in, and eat,Weetabix though I'm afraid mine had a cheaper variety

[ladybirder]

Live Mealworms are best especially for this time of year as mummy bird can feed them to baby bird because they are moist unlike dried mealworms. Nestlings must have moisture to survive. I buy 500g every 9 days or so and keep them in the fruit and veg box in the fridge (£8.50 and free postage next day delivery).
http://www.livefoodsdirect.co.uk

[chaptazbru2]

I'd chase the magpies away sandy, greedy things !!!

[sandyRoe]

A neighbour has a .22 rifle and he mentioned shooting them. We're in a built up area so I think he'd need to get a silencer.

[chaptazbru2]

I wouldn't shoot them ! I'd just go out making a lot of noise and clapping my hands ! I have one that used to come and try to eat the mealworms, but I managed to scare it off ....

[sandyRoe]

Nor would I. I'll look for a frame that lets the smaller birds at the food and keeps the bigger ones out.

[chaptazbru2]

Good idea x