You know about seed, suet, nectar, fruit, jelly, and WBU Bark Butter.. but do you know about the benefits of feeding mealworms? Adding mealworms to your regular backyard bird feeding menu can be an absolute game-changer in which species you see repeatedly coming to your feeder. With Spring migration and nesting season well under way, now is the perfect time to start offering these juicy grubs to give the birds the boost they need!
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| Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) enjoying live mealworms from a Metal Sphere Hanging Feeder |
What are mealworms, and where do they come from?
Mealworms are technically not worms at all! They are the larval stage of the Mealworm (Darkling) Beetle (Tenebrio molitor). Different Darkling Beetle species can be found across the globe. Backyard birds in Ontario forage on beetle larvae and quickly recognize mealworms as food. In the wild, mealworms will feed on fungus and decaying plant matter, while in captivity they are typically fed a dry oatmeal-based diet for ease-of-care. All mealworms that are sold in Canada are captive-bred.
Mealworms are an attractive food source to offer to your backyard birds because they replicate an omnivorous or insectivorous bird's natural diet (particularly live mealworms). Out in the wild, these birds will peck in to the ground or in the trees to find insects to eat. During Spring migration and nesting season, it is extremely beneficial to offer mealworms to your backyard birds as it will not only help attract new species to your yard, it will also help busy parents who are expending a great amount of energy in search of food to feed to their demanding babies.
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| American Robin (Turdus migratorius) with beak full of live mealworms to feed to its young |
Tips on offering mealworms to your backyard birds
If you're not sure how many mealworms to offer at a time, try starting out with approximately 100 in your feeder. Birds are highly attracted to mealworms so note that whatever amount is offered, they will take in less than a day! Because of this, it is a good idea to ration or you could end up feeding your entire stock of mealworms in a very short period of time. Choose a specific time of day to offer the mealworms when you can view and enjoy the birds coming to your feeder, such as first thing in the morning or while you're relaxing in the evening. It is possible to train birds to come to you by whistling or ringing a bell, and some may even come to your hand with time and patience!
How to care for, and store live mealworms
When feeding your backyard birds live mealworms, it's important to keep the mealworms clean and healthy. Here at WBU Barrie, our mealworms come packed in oats to help "gutload" (help keep them nutritious for the birds!). Both the mealworms and the oats can be placed out together in your feeder, and the birds will eat around the oats. When you refill your mealworm feeder the next day, you can dump out the oats that have been left behind and they will be cleaned up by squirrels and other ground foragers. If you refrigerate mealworms they will remain in a hibernation state for approximately 8 weeks. If storing for more than one week, the mealworms will need to be fed fresh oats. Small pieces of carrot can be added for moisture, but be careful as to not get the oat substrate wet or it can become moldy. To clean the oat substrate you can sift out any mealworm frass (feces) and shed skin, or replace entirely with fresh oats.
Who you can expect to see at your mealworm feeder
If you're not sure how many mealworms to offer at a time, try starting out with approximately 100 in your feeder. Birds are highly attracted to mealworms so note that whatever amount is offered, they will take in less than a day! Because of this, it is a good idea to ration or you could end up feeding your entire stock of mealworms in a very short period of time. Choose a specific time of day to offer the mealworms when you can view and enjoy the birds coming to your feeder, such as first thing in the morning or while you're relaxing in the evening. It is possible to train birds to come to you by whistling or ringing a bell, and some may even come to your hand with time and patience!
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| Feeding a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) mealworms by hand |
When feeding your backyard birds live mealworms, it's important to keep the mealworms clean and healthy. Here at WBU Barrie, our mealworms come packed in oats to help "gutload" (help keep them nutritious for the birds!). Both the mealworms and the oats can be placed out together in your feeder, and the birds will eat around the oats. When you refill your mealworm feeder the next day, you can dump out the oats that have been left behind and they will be cleaned up by squirrels and other ground foragers. If you refrigerate mealworms they will remain in a hibernation state for approximately 8 weeks. If storing for more than one week, the mealworms will need to be fed fresh oats. Small pieces of carrot can be added for moisture, but be careful as to not get the oat substrate wet or it can become moldy. To clean the oat substrate you can sift out any mealworm frass (feces) and shed skin, or replace entirely with fresh oats.
Who you can expect to see at your mealworm feeder
Because we have so many omnivorous & insectivorous bird species in Ontario, the list of species you may see in your yard is endless when feeding live mealworms! Here are some of the birds who may visit your feeder: Black-capped Chickadees, Nuthatches, Orioles, Grosbeaks, Woodpeckers, American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Bluebirds, Wrens, and so many more.
How to choose a mealworm feeder
When choosing a feeder to use for mealworms, there are a few things to consider before purchasing: Can the mealworms escape? They may not look very capable, but they are quite the escape artists! Your feeder should have some type of dish or cup that is a smooth material, this makes it so that the mealworms cannot climb the sides of the feeder. The feeder you choose should also be easy to clean, as you will be refilling it often and want to be sure to clean it once per week. Lastly, the feeder you choose should be easy for the birds to land on, and provide good viewing for you!
Taking these key points in to consideration, here is a list of some of our favourite mealworm feeders:
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| Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) eating mealworms from our Recycled Oriole Feeder |
When choosing a feeder to use for mealworms, there are a few things to consider before purchasing: Can the mealworms escape? They may not look very capable, but they are quite the escape artists! Your feeder should have some type of dish or cup that is a smooth material, this makes it so that the mealworms cannot climb the sides of the feeder. The feeder you choose should also be easy to clean, as you will be refilling it often and want to be sure to clean it once per week. Lastly, the feeder you choose should be easy for the birds to land on, and provide good viewing for you!
Taking these key points in to consideration, here is a list of some of our favourite mealworm feeders:
- WBU Dinner Bell Feeder: Easy to clean, adjustable dome to deter larger birds and squirrels & protect food from the elements, can be used for a variety of foods.
- Spiral Treat Tray: Ideal for offering a variety of foods including mealworms, Bark Butter Bits, BirdBerry Jerry, seed, and fruit. The easy-to-fill cups provide optimal viewing from any angle, and accommodates both clinging species (such as Woodpeckers), and perching species (such as Chickadees).
- Metal Sphere Hanging Feeder (available in-store only): The glass cup is easy to remove, fill, and clean, and can be used to offer a variety of foods. Gives optimal viewing from all angles, and can accommodate several birds at once. Can be hung as a single feeder, or link several together to create a larger feeding area.
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| Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) and Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) feeding on live mealworms from a WBU Dinner Bell Feeder |
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| Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) enjoying live mealworms from our Spiral Treat Tray |
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| Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) snacking on mealworms from a Metal Sphere Hanging Feeder |
Live mealworms are available in-store in quantities of 1000, 2000, 2500, 500, and 10000. Not ready for live mealworm feeding just yet? We also offer packaged dried mealworms, and our Bugs & Bits Blend which includes dried mealworms and Bark Butter Bits.
Now that we have you excited, give mealworms a try! You'll experience an entirely new way of feeding, and perhaps have some new visitors to your yard. The birds will thank you. 🐦
Happy Trails!
- Shayna
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