Bluebird Feeding - Mealworms (Part 3)

In addition to Messages that have appeared in the Bluebird Mailing Lists on this topic, the following are on the Audubon Society of Omaha website: 

• Feeding bluebirds by Linda Janilla Peterson (including the bluebird banquet recipe)
• The cottonseed meal recipe for bluebird food
• Bluebird feeder sketches by Linda Janilla Peterson
• Mealworm feeding
• How  To Start And Maintain A Mealworm Colony by John Thompson
• FEEDING MEALWORMS - Solving the Problem of Mealworm Getaway By Nola Aiken
• Peanut Butter Pudding by Katherine Smith
• The Smith Meal Worm Feeder by Katherine Smith
• Feeding bluebirds by Jan Alhgren

From: Elizabeth Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz"at"charter.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 3:31 PM
Subject: Update on NABS fact sheet provided with bluebird feeder

I e-mailed Afton Mountain Wildlife about the flyer I received with a bluebird feeder I bought from them* - if you recall, the flyer was by NABS and referenced some research on feeding mealworms that no one currently at NABS was familiar with. NABS has a different version of the feeding fact sheet online at http://nabluebirdsociety.org/mealworm.htm

I just have to say how impressed I was with the response!  Gregory Clark got back to me right away, and told me the flyer was supplied by the maker of the feeder, and indicated that he brought the issue to the builder's attention, and in the interim Afton is replacing the flyer with the current NABs version.  He also got in touch with Steve Garr at NABS. 

Then I got a second follow-up that Clark heard from the builder and he is consulting with NABS to update his flyer.

(I was also impressed that the San Diego Zoo got back to Cher in such a timely manner.)

I wish more enterprises were this responsive to customer feedback and inquiry!!  

Bet from CT

*PS the feeder is pretty neat - coated wire on either side of the feeding platform so it feels more "open" inside - I was having trouble getting bluebirds to go inside for the mealworms in some of my other feeders. It's at http://store.aftonmountainwildlife.com/evblfebybade.html .  I ended up drilling 1.5" holes in either side, and putting an eyehook on it to keep squirrels from opening it up.  I like this design because, like a jailhouse feeder, it excludes larger birds. [Note from webmaster: see further discussion on feeder under Bluebird Feeders.

From: Paula [mailto:PaulaZ"at"columbus.rr.com]
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 2:58 PM
Subject: Mealworms/nutrition

I shared Cher's post about "The continuing shortening vs lard vs suet question - another chapter" with Linda Janilla Peterson and thought you all might want to read her response. Her points about mealworm nutrional value are interesting too. It would be pretty easy to transfer some big mealies into dry dog food a day or two before feeding them to the bluebirds. I think Haleya already does this? In a Message dated 10/28/2004 11:43:21 PM Central Daylight Time, PaulaZ"at"columbus.rr.com writes: I thought I would share this one post with you from the Bluebird-L list Yes, interesting. I think it also shows that the recipes that include melted suet [rendering it into "tallow"] AND the peanut butter works in the way he describes to aid digestability. Addition of vitamin E to prevent rancidity is an acceptable idea - not necessary if one is a concientious bird feeder. Addition of vitamins - well, not really needed again, if one is supplementing a wild bird's diet. Has anyone brought up the "nutrition" of mealworms????????? This is a greatly fed bluebird item, and seems to me would bear even more discussion than suet mixes. Mealworms are nutritionally deficit. Zoos and rehabbers are aware of this - they put the next day's mealworms into dog biscuits or a high quality dog/cat food. The mealworms then feed off the dry food. The worms are fed to the birds when the feed is inside the worm - not yet digested. The birds then eat the worm, obtaining the high nutrition level of the pet food. [actually monkey biscuits are better]. There is also a very real concern about the indigestable exo-skeleton of the mealworm. Depending on the quantity of worms taken, the outer shell of the mealworm can cause fecal impaction and has resulted in bird deaths [captivity]. Parent bluebirds will "whack" insects to soften them for younger birds in the nest - but stop that preparation at some point. [I've never read about any study at what age they stop]. Interesting stuff for discussion! Linda

From: Dottie Roseboom [mailto:rosedot"at"mtco.com]
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 3:31 PM
Re: Mealworms/nutrition

I've always fed cat food to the mealies the day before collecting them for the blues. The mealies will come up out of the bran for the cat food - makes for easy separation of mealies from the substrate. I use cat food, semi-moist, as it has more protein than most dog food. Of course, bluebirds are neither cats or dogs. And for added nutrition, I use the highest quality WHOLE grain for the substrate. I think that the mealies grow quicker & reproduce better, if they have a good diet. The tropical fish industry (lots of nutritional research has been done) has always warned against a diet of ALL mealworms for fish, because of the impaction problem. However, I wonder if the exoskeleton would be a problem for bluebirds, as they eat quite a few beetles and other "hard" insects. Once again, if we maintain/restore habitat and only offer SUPPLEMENTAL foods to the birds, perhaps that would be better. Dottie Roseboom Peoria IL (central - zone 5)

From: Elizabeth Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz"at"charter.net]
Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2004 4:38 PM
Subject: Mealworm nutritional content

According to Reptile Foods ( http://www.reptilefood.com/reptilefood/affil_select.asp?affilkey=PMCA )
A mealworm is 61% moisture, 1% ash, 20% protein, 14% fat and 4% other.
I'm going to e-mail them and ask if this analysis is based on mealworms fed a certain diet.
Bet from CT

From: Larry A Broadbent [mailto:rockets"at"mnsi.net]
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 10:34 PM
Subject: Mealworms and Woodpeckers

Question? Has anyone had any success in feeding live mealworms to Woodpeckers? Regards, Larry A Broadbent Chatham, ON

From: mrtony8 [mailto:mrtony8"at"cox.net]
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 10:13 AM
Re: Mealworms and Woodpeckers

I feed bb's on our concrete patio and Red Headed Woodpeckers LOVE mealies. I would guess that Red bellieds would also. Phil Berry

From: Maynard R Sumner [mailto:m-r-sumner"at"juno.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 2:13 PM
Re: Mealworms and Woodpeckers

Larry, I have woodpeckers eat mealworms if I put them in some holes in a log. Maynard Sumner Flint, MI

From: USAjs88 "at"aol.com [mailto:USAjs88 "at"aol.com]
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 2:24 AM
Subject: Feeding meal worms or waxworms to bluebirds

Am I the only one who has noticed that Bluebirds prefer waxworms over mealworms?

From: Bill Whittaker [mailto:bwhittaker "at"natureskeepers.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 20, 2004 5:52 PM
Re: Feeding meal worms or waxworms to bluebirds

Unfortunately, waxworms are more difficult to raise than mealworms; that's why they are more expensive

I have had a group of 12 bluebirds visiting my feeders daily and am going through about 10,000 mealworms monthly. Aside from having to clean the feeders about twice monthly from the "food processing" these little ones perform, is there any concern I am giving them too much food?

Secondly, does anyone know if they will overeat if the food is available?

Steven Klein
Middletown, MD 21769

From: Elizabeth Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz"at"charter.net]
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 10:56 AM
Subject: Too much food, feeding mealworms, overeating

Steve - other than the fact that mealworm feeding is an expensive proposition (unless you are raising them yourself), some people do have some concerns about feeding mealworms to bluebirds. (There are also a lot of good arguments for feeding mealworms, such as improved health, less time away from nestbox, improving ability to survive inclement weather, etc.)

A varied diet is probably the most healthy. Nesting bluebirds seem to rely pretty heavily on mealworms for feeding their young. It would be an interesting study if someone had a nestcam to see if the parents fed nestlings anything else if they had access to an unlimited supply of mealworms.

Per Fawzi Emad's recommendations, I only offer 7-15 mealworms per bluebird each day. (I've never seen adults eat more than that in one feeder visit.) That would be about 1/2 of what you have been going through - are other birds eating the mealworms? (Titmice, carolina wrens, chickadees, nuthatches, etc. Mockers, starlings etc., will gobble them down if they are able to access) I usually split the feedings between a morning and an evening one - otherwise other birds get them.

I doubt that many birds in the wild "overeat." I have read that occasionally caged birds become obese, in part due to lack of exercise (flying to search for food, escape predators, etc.) or an all seed diet that can cause supposedly problems because seeds are high in fat and deficient in vitamins and minerals.

(I even saw one article that toucans will die if only fed seed - their digestive tract can't dissolve the seeds, so they apparently starve to death. They can also get ulcerated stomachs if feed too many citrus fruits.)

Bet from CT

Some more info on feeding mealworms, with links, at http://www.sialis.org/feeder.htm

I haven't had mealworms this winter and have missed seeing my bluebirds.
Without reason to visit my backyard, they must stay in the woods. So, they left me wondering if they headed south, or if they had enough access to food with all the snow cover. Yesterday afternoon, I purchased a little tub of mealworms from a local pet store. I went out on the deck and place some mealworms in a dish and gave my "dinner's ready" bluebird imitation whistle, not expecting much of a response.

Well, within one minute, three bluebirds (2 males and 1 female) came flying across the hay field behind my house, and landed on the deck near me - chattering away. One of the males gathered up some mealworms in his beak and hopped up to the roof to feed the female who sat there waiting!

Spring is coming!

Pam in Harford County, Maryland

From: Lawrence Herbert [mailto:lherbert"at"4state.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2005 7:24 PM
Subject: mealworms for other birds

I've never fed mealworms. I'm wondering if lots of other birds enjoy the bounty as I suppose they would.

Other thrushes? Woodpeckers? Let the list know please.

Good birding, Larry H. Joplin MO.

Larry, In my experience, most birds that consume insects love mealworms. Chickadees will do almost anything for them.

I also calm down HOSP decoys by keeping a steady supply of mealworms for them. They soon learn to step over to the side of the cage, so that I can refill their dishes.

Dottie Roseboom
Peoria IL (central - zone 5)

Do lots of birds other that bluebirds enjoy mealworms?! They sure do!

Live food attracts species that do not eat seed, as well as some birds that are also fruit eaters and seedeaters.

Birds will come very close for these treats.

So, mealworms bring a new dimension to "backyard birdfeeding".

A Curved-billed Thrasher and a Canyon Wren are the most unique of the mealworm eaters that feed on the treats I toss onto my back porch and place in clear acrylic feeders attached to the windows of my French doors.
These two characters perform various antics to get my attention.

Three species of wrens are among the birds that take turns at the acrylic window feeder less than three feet from my computer ... Canyon, Carolina and Bewick's.

Those who have trouble with aggression among birds competing at their bluebird mealworm feeders might try placing feeders in spots where the bluebirds do not feed.

Northern Cardinals, Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, Tufted Titmouse, Black-crested Titmouse, and American Robins are among the species that eat from various-styled mealworm feeders around my house.

Most of the feeders I use for mealworms are not designed particularly for
mealworms: dome-covered acrylic trays, a "squirrel-proof" hanging feeder that has an upper large grid about an inch above a smaller grid in a green tray, and stick-on acrylic window feeders.

When I'm eating breakfast, I toss some onto the driveway in front of my kitchen window. When I'm at the computer, I toss some just outside on the cement floor of the back porch.

There's an advantage to mealworms over seeds - no hulls or shells are left behind!

Pauline Tom
Mountain City (no mountains) TX

Dottie,

How could any of us ever be upset with you? You bring up a very good point.
I do not have a mockingbird problem, and still feed mealworms in the spring and summer, but this could be due in large part to my stinginess. I believe that as Americans, we think if a few mealworms are good for our beloved bluebirds, then a bowlful would be better. I am indeed an American, but apparently am a cheapskate first. You can still feed mealworms, help entice a bluebird pair to nest, enjoy watching them feed, save money, help clear all sorts of ground dwelling insects out of your turf, and avoid competition at the mealworm feeder if you are a cheapskate like me. I only give my EABL pair (don't feed mealworms in fall/winter because I have too many EABL feeding and I am cheap) about 15 - 30 mealworms per day in the spring/summer. When they have nestlings and fledglings, I will sometimes increase this a little if I am feeling especially magnanimous, but the mealworms are put out and gone within a couple of minutes. They will eat with me in the yard and other birds will not come near the feeder when they see the frightening Paula outside. Another great benefit to feeding just a few worms is I want the EABL to hunt in my yard. They should be eating the bounty crawling in my turf too, so by keeping my lawn pesticide and herbicide free, I am feeding my EABL the very best that I can (and saving $$).

Paula Z
Powell (Central) Ohio

Paula, Thanks for adding some important feeding advice. Two years ago, when I began feeding mealworms, I provided too many mealies in an open dish. Of course, many other birds joined in the festivities. With the spring hormones emerging and easy access to mealworms, the normally peaceful birds became fairly aggressive in protecting the food source. As this was a change in behavior from what I what observed for the previous 15 years, I began to follow Fawzi's recommendations of limiting mealworms.

I developed a feeding regiment very similar to yours. The terrible fightings subsided. I do not mean to imply that mealworms are the only cause of aggression. However, I find it interesting to see/hear people complain about aggression in the same breath that they talk about mealworms.

Since, I'm trying to learn as much as I can for the long-term care of ALL native cavity-nesters, I do wonder how mealworms will play out. The short-term sounds great: feeding bluebirds is great fun for the monitor, we can prevent starvation in late snowstorms, perhaps the fledglings thrive better, etc. However, perhaps, in the long-run, we are allowing bluebirds to survive, that perhaps should not. I'm not sure that we have enough data at this time to answer this question. Several study groups are being set-up & perhaps answers will be forth-coming.

I did observe that smarter feeding of mealworms cut down on aggression in my area. And smarter feeding might save funds that could be used to erect another nestbox. I believe that Keith posted that in some areas, more nesting sites DECREASES competition. (Probably would not help for mockingbirds though).

Let's continue learning what is best for our feathered friends.

Dottie Roseboom
Peoria IL (central - zone 5)

Hi Bet,

Round about August or so, the yellow jackets will go after the mealies. I watched them once (from inside my window!) at close range, and it was fascinating to watch. The YJ crawled around for a while, maybe selecting the one he wanted, and as he tried to carry it away it was struggling so much it was like watching a bronco buster. As soon as he was gone, I quickly brought the mealies back inside, as the bluebirds would not enter the feeder, just sat nearby and watched.

And the yellow jacket will return (with his friends) to take all they can back to their nest.

Mealworm feeding at that time of year should be minimal anyway, there are plenty of insects for the bluebirds to hunt.

Barbara Burnham
Ellicott City, MD

From: Bruce Burdett [mailto:blueburd"at"verizon.net]
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 8:54 PML
Subject: Re: Mealworm dishes

Shawn,
The best receptacles I have found for feeding mealworms are plain white Corningware glass dessert dishes, about 4" in diameter. They're easy to clean, the worms can't crawl up the sides and out, and you can put them wherever you want them. Their only drawback is that in a rain they become drowning-dishes. You can drill little weepholes in them, however, with a glass bit on an electric drill.

Bruce Burdett, SW NH

Wild Birds Unlimited makes a nice meal worm feeder...Blues love it. Mounted on a pole, has holes in it so the water drains out if it rains, easy to clean also.

http://wildbirdsunlimited.com/

Sheila

Or you could use a plastic small butter cup with holes in the bottom. I have a wood mealworm post that my husband made for me and I nail the butter cup on it. I have used a small corning ware dish and it worked good also but does fill up with water.

Dottie, Hickory Hollow
Brown County, Indiana

I've "recycled" and used plastic suet containers (I have a bunch that have been given to me by friends who buy suet in the store - I also use them to "mold" my own homemade suet cakes). I just drill some very small water drainage holes in the bottoms and nail them to top of the two 5 foot high posts we have left standing for a perches (making sure drainage holes are not obstructed).

Last year I got a JennaBird jail style feeder (which is great for keeping out larger birds and the EABLs quickly learned how to navigate their way in and out), but my "free/cheap/recycle" method works fine too. (I even have pictures around here somewhere of a bluebird pair eating out of my "homemade" feeder). The disadvatage is, worms aren't "covered/protected" from the sun or larger birds.

Great part about using these, if you buy suet cakes you already have some around the house and when they start to become brittle or worn you can throw them in the recycle bin..

kimmarie :)
Buffalo/Varysburg, Western NY

From: Bill Stump [mailto:bstump "at"bright.net]
Sent: Sunday, April 03, 2005 6:04 PM
Subject: Re: Mealworm dishes

Bruce,
I use a clear laundry soap jug cap that I drill several tiny drainage holes in to let rain water drain out. I have mounted it on the side of my window feeder at my desk. They are usually waiting for me when I get to work each morning. Since I feed them mealworms all year long, they have wintered over the last four years.

…

Nina,

I think it depends on the quantity you are looking for. If you only want a hundred or so, local bait shops or pet stores might be able to help you out. If you want a thousand or more, you probably need someplace like www.grubco.com.

Bill
SW Ohio

From: Bruce Burdett [mailto:blueburd "at"verizon.net]
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 9:28 AM
Subject: Re: Mealworm dishes

Bill,

I hope you folks all know that many firms sell mealworms in packages of a thousand and more for much less money than you'd pay in any store. The stores just do it as a sideline; these firms do it as a specialty. The stores buy from them, and then mark them up.

Bruce Burdett, SW NH

From: Nina Everett [mailto:NINAUT "at"CHARTER.NET]
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 7:33 PM
Subject: Mealies

Hi,
This is my first experience with bluebirding. Am so thrilled to have a nest in one of my boxes. It seems to be complete, but no egg yet. Have put mealworms in a bluebird feeder from Wildbirds Unlimited, but the birds have been ignoring it.
It is about 20 ft. from the box.

Will the blues stay around the box more when egg laying begins? Will they show more interest in the mealies then?
Will appreciate any help.
Thanks, Nina Hickory, NC

Nina,

I have found waiting until the female starts incubating is the most reliable time to start feeding mealy`s. As you stated the blues will make a stronger bond with the nest box and surrounding area once incubation begins and will definitely be around more often. They do not like to stray to far from the box if they don`t have to and getting them started feeding on a source so close is to their advantage. I have also found that feeding meal worms during the nesting period ( keeping them close ) gives them a better chance of deterring HOSP etc. I have seen house sparrows watch and wait until the female gets off the nest to go feed and then make a move for the box. Feeding mealy`s, and keeping the blues close is a definite plus. Good luck and much fun once they find the handout.

Evan Schwartz - 15 miles South of Youngstown,Ohio

From: Bill Stump [mailto:bstump "at"bright.net]
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 9:11 PM
Subject: Re: Mealies

Nina,

Put a few mealies in a small clear container and fasten it to the roof of the feeder........they'll find them!!

Bill
SW Ohio

From: Nguyen, Marc [mailto:Hoang.Nguyen "at"greenheck.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 9:11 AM
Subject: Mealworn containers

Hello all,
This is my second year of backyard bluebirding, and last year was a success!
We had 10 chicks fledge, and now the parents are back again. This year I hope to raise mealworms so that I don't have to go to Petco every week. I ordered 5000 worms from Grubco for $26 w/ shipping and was just wondering if I were to put them in 1 or 2 plastic containers, how big should the containers be? Also, I was just planning on putting oatmeal down, and then an aluminum dish for the potatoes and carrots. The container I will drill lots of holes on the lid and on the sides near the top. I plan on putting the container(s) in the garage. Does that sound ok or should I do something different? Thanks for any help. You guys have been a great help last year too!

Marc Nguyen
Central WI

Marc,

Welcome to a fellow Wisconsinite!

I usually buy 3,000-5,000 mealworms at a time, from Sunshine. I put them in a plastic container, about 1/2 gallon size with holes punched in the top. I use cornmeal, and keep them in the refrigerator, taking them out about once a week overnight to let them feed on apple slices. I use cornmeal, because the worms can be sifted out with a regular kitchen sifter, which is much quicker and easier than picking them out of oatmeal.

Good luck with your "Blues" this year!

Mary Roen, River Falls, WI

Thanks Mary.
Do you just get the cornmeal at the grocery store? I've tried looking for cornmeal last couple of years when I but it in my grass as fertilizer, but I've always had to go to a CO-OP to have them grind 300# of whole corn for me, even then it's not too granular....I can't remember, but I probably saw cornmeal, but it was in a smaller qty than what I needed I guess. I'll have to go check to see if what they have is enough for this purpose.
Marc
Wausau, WI

From: Bet Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz "at"charter.net]
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 8:28 AM
Subject: RE: Mealies

You have to train the bluebirds to come to the feeder. I feed them all year round, and do believe it convinced them to stick around and nest in my boxes.

One way to train them is to put a cat food can with some mealworms on top of the nestbox they are in - just do this once (you don't want to attract competitors/predators to the box. Actually I think 20 feet is pretty close) . Then gradually move it closer to the feeder, then put it on the roof, and then put the inside the feeder. After that you can train them to come when you whistle, ring a bell, call, whatever. Mine show up from a nestbox 100 yards away as soon as I walk out the door!

See http://www.sialis.org/feeder.htm for more info on feeding mealworms.

Bet from CT

My mother bluebird laid her third egg this morning. I am so excited. Have
never had a box before. My birds have shown no interest in the mealies I put
out. I have a clear bluebird feeder that came from Wild Birds Unlimited. It
is about 15' from the nest on a pole with a squirrel baffle on it. Can
anyone tell me how I might attract the birds to this feeder? These squirrels
seem to eat everything they can find.
Nina NC

Nina, I was just reading last night that if you place natural branches of
something that has berries on it across the meal worm feeder it might get
them used to it. Also may help them find it, I suppose until they learn,
they are looking for their worms on the ground instead of in a nice
feeder. I am going to try it, I leave meal worms and they are gone but I
never seen what eats them. Lana

Subject: Re: No Hatchings yet:(
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 15:16:02 -0400
From: Kathy <howbizr"at"gmail.com>

Actually, after reading this amazing article about autism (that
actually was a lot about animals), basically it explained that new
things in the environment, even if very tempting (like food) are very
scary at first to animals. From what I understand, the best thing to
do is to keep stocking it and be patient. Once your feeder becomes
part of the normal environment, it won't be as threatening anymore,
especially if it consistantly has food. I definitely agree that the
berry sprig idea may help. You could also try a more "natural" feeder
to help get them over - pine cones covered in peanut butter and then
rolled in bird seed (the peanut butter being used as "glue", and
non-toxic to birds).

Kathy Haines
Central Ohio

PS - If anyone has heard anything dangerous about birds and peanut
butter, let us know, but we made feeders like that in elementry school
and girl scouts, so I assume they're safe.

to 6 Bluebirds!!!!! We checked the nest last night around 5:30 pm..Just eggs....Today 6:15 pm we have 6 babies:) Parents weren't around...so I grabbed my camera and got all 6 " mouth opened":) So Excited:)

Now my problem is,( need some advice) the Blues were use to the feeder of mealie worms by their box. We made a mealie worm feeder next to it. It has Plexiglass in front & Back, 2 holes so they can get in & out. Roof opens so I can fill it. I opened the roof so they could see it...they did last night, land on the Plexiglass...but wouldn't go down to the worms.

So are we talking a waiting game, if they our hungry and will find it? Now that the babies have hatched...what do I do:)?

Grandparents our excited:)

Sheila
Redding, Calif

From: Ann&Tom Long [mailto:longann"at"pacinfo.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2040 4:20 PM
Subject: Re: Lana-bar

I put mealworms in a small yogurt cup and thumb tack it on the roof , don't put very many (10-20) and don't leave until they have finished them all. The cup will scare them at first so back away a few yards till they get used to it. Don't do this unless the parents are around , you don't want to attract other birds such as jays or robins!!

Tom Long
Western Oregon

From: Shawn [mailto:shawnee4"at"charter.net]
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 10:17 AM
To: Nina Everett; crystaljhill"at"msn.com; bluebird-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: Egg #2 EABL

That is great, Nina! Good that he is finding lots of insects in your yard! Last season I was ignorant of EABL monitoring, and didn't feed mealies (still not, yet), and they seemed to do fine, as they are now, with finding plenty of insects in our yard. One thing I did try, was make some cornbread and crumble it near their usual hangouts. They ate it! They didn't eat the Bluebird Banquet I put out all winter, and they might have nibbled at it a couple times (the Nuthatches, Chickadees, Titmice, Woodpeckers, and Blue Jays gobbled it up, though)! I can't remember if you said you have a mealworm feeder or not, but whether you do or not, you could try this. What I was thinking you might try, is make some cornbread, sprinkle it near his usual haunts (when he is present), and sprinkle mealies among the cornbread crumbs. Just a thought. Good luck!

Shawn in Sevierville, TN

From: Bill Stump [mailto:bstump"at"bright.net]
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 4:23 PM
Subject: Re: Egg #2 EABL

Nina,

I have fed live mealies mixed into a small amount of Bluebird Banquet and they would eat the banquet to get to the mealies. Then, if I ran out of mealies, they would just eat the banquet. You might want to try to put a small container of mealies on top of your feeder at first, so they can see the "wiggling" mealies. That might attract their attention. Might be worth a try, especially during this cold snap.

Bill
SW Ohio

From: RJ 'Tree' Greenwood
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 8:21 AM
Subject: Dirty Food

For the past week, we provided mealworms for our nesting Bluebirds. After gorgeous 70-80 F days in early April, it rained and then got chilly to limit natural food for the nestlings. This is the earliest I've ever had a pair. BBs usually don't start building nests here until mid-April and don't lay eggs until about now. This pair had 5 eggs on 17 Apr and was feeding 5 hatchlings on 22 Apr.

Papa Blue continued to hunt out in the open, not very successfully. Only Mom came to the mealworm feeder. She picked up a mealworm, then flew to the freshly plowed field or freshly tilled garden and then tossed the meal- worm in the dirt and rolled it around until it was coated with dirt. Only when the mealworm was filthy did she pick it up and take it to the nestbox. She went through the same routine with each and every mealworm until all were gone (and then she perched atop the shepard's hook like a Snoopy Vulture until we came out with another tub of mealworms for her).

My best guess is that she's providing fine grit for the nestlings. Have others seen this behavior?

Take care,

R J 'Tree' Greenwood
Catlett VA

Re:Dirty Food:
Anyone that answers this is trying to read the mind of a very unique creation:-)) The "adding grit" to the food is as good as any scientific reasoning but I like the thought of the old packaged cookie dough commercial where the mother WANTS her family to think she worked hard all day in the kitchen but simply removes the "quick" food from the containers and dusts her face with flour before serving this to the family...If the mealworms are alive and wiggling then the adults will try to kill their "prey" before feeding it to the young birds by beating it on the ground or perch. I still like the thought of dusting your face with flour though...KK

From: Nina Everett [mailto:NINAUT"at"CHARTER.NET]
Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2005 6:30 PM
Subject: Meal Worm question

Hi,
I have several mealworms that I bought four weeks ago when the EABU began building a nest here. They abandoned the nest with five eggs in it. I have been keeping the mealies in the refrigerator most of the time. Take them out for a day and put apple in the box, and add meal. Need to know if I need to completely clean the box and start with new fresh meal. Have been feeding the mealies to other birds but there are still lots of them. Had thoight I would be feeding baby blues. Sure am disappointed. Since I have never done this before, don't know what to do. Will greatly appreciate any advice. Thanks.
Nina NC

From: Sheila Rogers [mailto:sheilarogers"at"charter.net]
Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2005 9:09 PM
Subject: Re: Meal Worm question

Nina

I've been raising mealies for a year now. If you have a lot of " Frass" , shedding of the skin, I try to scoop all that is on top. Discard the apple if it's gone. You didn't state what " bedding" your using? I'm using wheat bran, they eat it and I refill it with more bran.

Raising mealies/to produce is a whole different story:(

I just purchased more worms, for my beetles have been lazy laying eggs. I have 6 BB and ready to Fledge in 2 weeks:) So I have to be ready for the occasion!!!

Sheila

From: Nina Everett [mailto:NINAUT"at"CHARTER.NET]
Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 10:59 AM
Subject: Re: Meal Worm question

Sheila,

Thanks. I am not trying to raise mealies, just keep the ones I have alive until they can be used. They are in yellow corn meal, are very active when out of the frige. The reason I was wondering about changeing them is because they now have a strong odor. Don't know if this is normal?
Am so happy that you have babies. Since my birds left their nest, haven't seen any blues anywhere around here. Have three empty boxes. Am very disappointed that I don't have any birds showing interest in nesting here.

Nina

From: Bet Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz"at"charter.net]
Sent: Monday, May 09, 2005 10:25 AM
Subject: RE: Meal Worm question

They usually don’t stink. If they do, maybe there are dead ones (usually black) or something is rotting (potato/source of moisture) or you need to change “bedding”.

Bet from CT

From: Judy
Sent: May 13, 2005
RE: Attracting bluebirds

Denise:

I had a bluebird house in the yard for 3 or 4 years before I finally got a pair. I was every bit as excited as you are, and I still get excited every year when they come back. This year I thought I wouldn't have any bluebirds, because they returned later than they ever have.

Although I thought it was too late to attract any bbs, I decided one Saturday to put up my mealworm feeder...I already had some worms on hand, just in case. I put up the feeder, and didn't even make it back to the house to get the worms before the bluebirds came! This pair obviously recognised the feeder from last year. Within minutes, they were checking out the nestbox.

My birds would not even look at my feeder the first time I put it up. I finally had to find their most frequent perch...in this case, a tree branch near their house. I put the feeder right under the branch, and put some mealworms on the roof. They caught on very quickly after I did this. It took them a little while to figure out how to get inside.

It would be a good idea not to leave the feeder too close to their nestbox, since it will attract other birds, too. You can always move it farther away after they have learned how to use it.

Good luck, and enjoy your bluebirds!

Judy
Southern Illinois

From: Trish Culpepper [mailto:trishkcully"at"earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 11:27 AM
Subject: Meal Worm Feeders

Trish Culpepper - Frankston, TX
I've been thinking about setting up a mealworm feeder for bluebirds, since I can get the 1,000 mealworms free for joining NABS...but the only ones I have seen for purchase is a flat open box hanging from a chain. Won't this type attract all birds to the mealworms? Does anyone know where to purchase one with a top on it where the bluebirds have to squeeze thru....(I've only seen a picture) or do you just have to build your own?

From: Shawn [mailto:shawnee4"at"charter.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 9:38 PM
Subject: Re: Meal Worm Feeders

I think the North American Bluebird Society website has a "store" with the "squeeze thru" model.

Shawn in Sevierville, TN

From: Bet Zimmerman [mailto:ezdz"at"charter.net]
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 2:40 PM
Subject: RE: Meal Worm Feeders

http://www.sialis.org/bluebirdstore.htm#feeder has a list of suppliers – the Evergreen version has 1.5” mesh wire that only bluebirds, and smaller birds can get through. (Beware, once chickadees, nuthatches and titmice find the feeder, they’ll eat whatever they can, so it’s best to only put out 5-10/bird at a time.

NABS has a VERY reasonably priced jailhouse feeder, which I’m guessing birds like better than the mesh or the Plexiglass sided ones – see foto at http://nabluebirdsociety.org/catalog/images/jail_L.jpg

Ordering at http://nabluebirdsociety.org/catalog/suppliers.htm

Bet

Here in Redding, CA...all 6 of them:) Four left Thursday, I got to see 2
leave. Ma/Pa visit, for worms only, I put a few in the feeder, I want to see the "
family":)

Cleaned the house, scrape all the yucky stuff off. Then sprayed it with a
diluted bleach and water, let it dry out and put paraffin inside the
top/side ETC House for Rent now :) Ma/Pa come buy too grab worms, their
pretty close buy, for they saw me put Mealies in !!!

The nest was dry weeds. grass, cellophane, leaves and etc.

Found about 30 meal worms in the nest when I cleaned it out..why is that?
Did She/He miss their mouth or they just throw it to them:)? They were
still alive, so I threw them in the feeder!!

I miss them, can't wait to meet them

Sheila

From: Trish Culpepper [mailto:trishkcully"at"earthlink.net]
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 11:36 AM
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.eduSubject: Advice on Mealworms...

Trish - Frankston, TX
I got my first shipment of mealworms in today....crawly little things aren't they??? I put mine in a rectangular plastic container with about 1/2" of oatmeal on the bottom. I would have used corn meal, but didn't have any on hand. Does it really make a difference...is one better than the other? The instructions I read said you could keep them in the refrigerator without a lid if the sides of the container were smooth enough. I hope this is true, cause I sure wouldn't want mealworms on everything in that fridge...even though it is the one in the garage. My instructions didn't recommend putting an airtight lid on the container. Also, is there any effective way to pick them up besides using your fingers? I wouldn't want to squish them, but..... When you put them out for the birds, do you just fill the cup or bottom of feeder with the oatmeal and all, or do you have to pick up each mealworm and put in the feeder? Please excuse my ignorance...this is all new to me, and perhaps to others on the list.

Trish,

I put my mealies in cornmeal, because then I can just scoop out some, sift
the cornmeal out with a kitchen strainer, and pour them in to a container to
take to the feeder. This way I don't have to try to pick them out by hand,
and I put only mealies in the feeder, not a lot of medium also.

Mary Roen, River Falls, WI

Trish,
I use a strainer with a handle on it to get the mealworms out of the container. You can shake the meal back in the container and put the mealies in a cup. This works great. I put air holes in the plastic top of my container. Just feel better with them covered. Also add a piece of apple or potato off and on for moisture.
I have been wondering how many worms to put out at one time too. Right now, am just waiting for more bluebirds to show up.
Nina NC

Makes good sense, Nina. I read that for a bluebird family, when feeding fledglings, 100 mealworms per day is sufficient. I guess that is if you can keep all the other birds away so the buebirds can get to them all. Anyone else have different information on the quantity required per day? Will bluebirds also eat raisins from a feeder. It sounds like the mealworm thing can get pretty expensive over the long haul, huh?

http://home.comcast.net/%7Efemad/p2/mealworms.htm

If you want a great way to keep your mealworms go to the attached link and
follow directions. Enlarge pictures to look at how Fawzi set up the box he
keeps them in. I have kept mealworms weeks using this method. Good luck

Anne-Marie Palermino
Lincoln, RI

Dear Trish et al,
I raise and sell mealworms to members of the Ontario Eastern Bluebird Society (OEBS), to pet stores, and to a government project here in Ontario Canada dealing with captive breeding project with the Eastern Logger head Shrikes.

I put 6,000 mealworms in straight cornmeal in 4.0 Liter Rubbermaid containers, into the fridge. These containers have (4) 1/2" air vent holes and two small sponges under the lids. I put several layers of shop towels as a blanket, so to speak over the top of the cornmeal /mealworm mixture and put the lids on and into the fridge.
These containers are exactly like what Fawzi Emad uses http://home.comcast.net/~femad/p2/mealworms.htm
You do not need any pieces of apple or potato or carrot peelings, as the moist sponges under the lids provides the proper humidity content while the mealworms are in the fridge.
I use a stainless steel sifter to sift the mealworms prior to shipment. Works very fast and efficient.

Regards,
Larry A Broadbent
Chatham, Ontario
Canada

From: Chuck Jensen [mailto:cjensen"at"dts9000.com]
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 8:36 PM
Subject: RE: Advice on Mealworms...

Larry,
Do you store the mealworms in the fridge or do you grow them in the fridge? I was under the impression they needed to be at room temperature to mature to bettles and cylce for more mealworms. Can you fill the gap for us?

Chuck

From: Larry A Broadbent [mailto:rockets"at"mnsi.net]
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 2:56 AM
Subject: Re: Advice on Mealworms...

Chuck,
Yes, I raise the mealworms at room temperatures, and once they are at a size I want, I count them out and place them in 4.0 Liter Rubbermaid containes in a thick bed of cornmeal, then into the fridge.
They will keep in the fridge like this in a low metabolism / suspended animation state for a few months.
When mealworms turn into pupae, the pupae are removed on a daily or every other day basis, and placed in a separate bran / cereal grain mixture 4.0 Liter Rubber maid tub with small sponges under the lids.

When the pupae hatch into beetles, they are removed on a daily or every other day basis and placed into a separate 4.0 Liter Rubbermaid container.

In other words, a separate container for each - mealworms, pupae, and beetles.

I've got 5,000 beetles in several containers laying eggs on a daily basis. I change the beetles containers with the bran and eggs every two weeks. These 5,000 beetles produce a LOT of eggs, which produce a LOT of mealworms.

When my mealworms start getting larger, I feed them a supplement of either non medicated Chick Starter or non medicated Turkey & Pheasant starter. Currently I'm using the Turkey & Pheasant starter. This provides an added protein boost content to the mealworms.

Regards,
Larry A Broadbent
Chatham, Ontario
Canada

From: bookfanaticef-bluebird"at"yahoo.com [mailto:bookfanaticef-bluebird"at"yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 10:41 PM
Subject: Re: Red bellied woodpeckers & mealworms

For those of you who put out mealworms for "your" bluebirds, please don't begrudge the other birds (woodpeckers or any other species) the mealworms too much.

All the birds this time of year have hungry babies to feed, and insects provide the best nutrition for those fast-growing bodies. And if a bird sees an easy meal--whether it be a mealworm feeder, seed feeder, or suet--they will take advantage of it, as it requires less energy & time for them than to forage "the hard way." In fact, this time of year, most bird species I can think of switch to eating insects, to feed both their offspring & themselves, not that those crunchy little "nutrition packets" become available in abundance, even if they normally eat other things the rest of the year.

If you decide you only want one particular species feeding at your feeders (whatever type they may be), I would recommend using a different style of feeder that somehow excludes the "undesirable" species.

Unfortunately, I don't have any recommendations on how to exclude woodpeckers specifically from a mealworm or any other feeder, and I don't know if there are any types that would exclude everything except bluebirds alone, especially as bluebirds have an "average" body size--though there could be, as I'm no bird-feeder expert. I don't use anything expensive or fancy--just a very cheap, "generic" seed feeder, with nothing particularly special or "excluding" about it, so if it gets damaged by a squirrel or something I can easily replace it without feeling as though I'm spending a lot on feeders.

And anyway, I personally enjoy watching all the birds that come to my feeder, even the species that tend to be a bit greedy--they are all fascinating & beautiful in their own ways.
Good luck!
Elizabeth F
Gainesville, FL

From: Trish Culpepper [mailto:trishkcully"at"earthlink.net]
Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2005 1:46 PM
Subject: New Bluebird Family...

Trish - Frankston, TX
I am so excited!! Yesterday, we put up a mealworm feeder about 20 feet from a newly located and vacant bluebird house. The house has been there a few weeks or so and no bluebirds interested in it. Well, we put the mealworm feeder up yesterday morning and put mealworms out. I noticed a bluebird or two finding it okay. This morning, when I went to put out mealworms in the feeder, I couldn't believe my eyes. A bluebird couple was moving into the house and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying having a feeder so close to their new home. It's been fascinating to watch him take mealworms to the hole to feed her as she works so hard building the nest....and also guarding the house and her as she comes with building materials. I've wanted to peek inside to see the nest, but decided not to bother them while they are working so hard on their new home. So....for any of you who are having problems getting bluebirds to move into your vacant boxes, you might think of putting a feeder nearby. By the way, I bought one from Coach Dunham on the list here....who builds them from scratch. They are inexpensive, extremely well made, and will last for years....and the bluebirds love mine!! It has the plexiglass on the sides with bluebird holes on each end.

I have one question, though....we noticed two male bluebirds in the vicinity, but only one female. I wondered if the other male was trying to get to the feeder. Will the bluebirds be territorial about the feeder so close to their home and exclude other bluebirds from feeding? Do two male bluebirds ever fight over a female for mating/nesting?

I got in the habit of whistling when I put mealworms in the feeder. Now when
I walk out the door, I can whistle and the female bluebird will stick her
head out of the house and watch me. If I head towards the feeder, she
immediately leaves the nest and comes to the feeder. She will get on the
feeder when I get a few feet away from it...after I put the worms in.

Tommy Mathis
Rome, GA

From: Mary Stine [mailto:mstine9"at"gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 4:53 AM
Subject: question on feeding mealworms to EABB

Hi,
I am expecting an order of mealworms today. I have never fed them to any birds before. How many do I start with and how long does it normally take before the birds find them? And when they do find them how many should I put out each day? I built a feeder and set it out last night so the birds would get accustomed to it.
Thank you,
Mary Stine

From: Bruce Burdett [mailto:blueburd"at"verizon.net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 7:52 AM
Subject: Re: question on feeding mealworms to EABB

Mary,
The best way I've found to present mealworms are small Corningware glass dessert dishes. They are slick enough, and the sides are steep enough, to prevent the worms from crawling out.
I put out a dozen or so at a time, but that's something you'll have to decide for yourself, based on how fast they take them without any wastage. Two things will kill them: direct sunlight and rainwater.
You can put the dishes anywhere you want, (in a feeder, on a deck railing, etc) and even move them around.
Mealworms can easily crawl out of a standard wooden feeder.

From: Trish Culpepper [mailto:trishkcully"at"earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 11:41 AM
Subject: Re: question on feeding mealworms to EABB

Trish - Frankston, TX
Mary and all...I've had a fascinating time getting my BBs to take mealworms from a feeder. I have three different kinds of feeders. The one they like the best is the one Coach Dunham made for me with the plexiglass sides and BB holes on each end, but they will NOT go into the box. At first, they would wait for the worms to crawl up the sides to the holes and pluck them out that way. Then, I decided to raise one plexiglass side an inch or so, so they could get them at the edges and that worked fairly well. This morning, because there are two BB babies about ready to fledge (and I assume eating many mealworms by now!), I removed one plexiglass side completely and put a plastic cup inside with the mealworms in it. I also left some on the wooden feeder floor so as not to confuse them too much with the change. Well....I sat back and watched and it was amazing. Papa BB was completely flustered....didn't know what to think, but still wouldn't go inside the mealworm feeder. Mama BB, however, flew right over, and perched herself inside the feeder, had a delightful breakfast buffet, then proceeded to carry mealworms back to her babies. I originally had the feeder within 12 feet of the nestbox for a long time, then as the babies got older and noisier, I moved it out about 50-60 feet away. I have three mealworm feeders all within the same general vicinity and, so far, have never seen another bird (other than my BBS) eating from them. Maybe that's just been luck on my part...or maybe the BBs have chased away any other curious birds. (Though there are tons of cardinals, bluejays and mockingbirds in the area.)

My point is....you just never know how your BBs will adapt to your mealworm feeder until you experiment with them. Oh.....be sure to spray a lubricant of some type on your mealworm feeder pole or hanger, or you will likely have lots of ants to contend with. I even hung one from a tree branch and had it full of ants in no time!! I spray my poles periodically with PAM cooking spray, including the pole my nestbox is on...to keep ants away.

Hi. Nothing can really be done for this but I was just curious. I am planning on leaving for vacation and was wondering if you think I will have trouble getting the bluebirds to come back for mealworms after I return. I was planning on filling up the dish so that they should have mealworms for several days but I didn't know if after they checked for a couple days and found no worms they would give up.

I only have a pair and they do drink from the birdbath next to the mealworm feeder so I figured that would be a plus.
I guess the other plus for them is my trip is to Gulf Shores so I may be home afterall unless Dennis makes a drastic change.

Thanks!

Kim

After feeding the EABL, solely, mealworms for three years now, the HOSP have found them and are eating them all!!! I have a feeder with square fencing type stuff on it and no other birds can or have had interest in the feeder until just about a week ago!! I moved the feeder to the my deck on a table so that I can scare the HOSP of easily, but the EABL have not showed any interest in it since it has been moved. I'm sure there is nothing I can do to stop it other then stop putting the mealworms out. If anyone has a suggestion, I'm listening. The second batch of EABL babies fledged on Sat, so I have not seen much of the EABL, I wonder if now would be a good time to close up the mealworm "diner" for the season.

Thanks,
Cristy
Lenexa, KS

Get a HOSP trap and trap them all. That will end the HOSP dining. Linda in NW GA

Cristy,

I have occasionally had that problem also. I have set a repeating sparrow trap and baited it with bread. After a couple days and several sparrows later, that usually solves the problem until the next sparrow figures out how to get into the feeder to get the mealies. When that happens, I go through the process again. I usually only have to do that three or four time a season.

Bill
SW Ohio

Hello Everyone,
I was wondering what to do about a recent problem ive been having. It seems our primarily ground feeding robins have managed to find my meal
worms! I have had no problems up until now and they are making pigs of
themselves and leaving none for my blues! They get a big ole wad of them
in their mouths and clean out the feeder!
Help I need suggestions! I have a dinner bell feeder with a dome on top...I even tried lowering it all the way down but they manage to get it. Anyone have a different suggestion..it would be greatly appreciated..so im not spending a fortune in meal worms!

Laurie
Ohio

Laurie,

You might try feeding the mealworms in a regular bluebird feeder that is enclosed with glass or Plexiglas sides and 1 1/2" holes in each end.
It might take the blues a few days to get used to the new feeder but it would keep the robins out.

Bill
SW Ohio

Hmmm, Christy, sounds like a good time to trap some HOSP. Now that you know the HOSP are visiting regularly, add some white bread, and set up a ground trap.

After that, you can condition the bluebirds to the new location. Put the mealworm feeder back where it was, and once you see them return, gradually move the feeder to the desired location, minus the HOSP, of course.

Barbara Burnham
Ellicott City, MD

From: Paula [mailto:PaulaZ"at"columbus.rr.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2005 12:32 AM
Subject: Mealworm Feeders that keep out larger birds

Laurie,

I have tried different feeders for mealworms. My favorite that is available on the market today is the Evergreen feeder: http://store.aftonmountainwildlife.com/evblfebybade.html
This feeder will keep your robins out. I recommend a couple of modifications. I drilled 1 1/2" holes in each side of the feeder. This makes it more readily used by EABL as they are already used to entering our manmade nestboxes with similar holes. This also allows them different points of exit/entry. For summer feeding, the little cup provided with the feeder is fine to put a few mealworms in. For winter feeding of Bluebird Banquet, I purchased a Rubbermaid desk organizer tray and velcroed it in the bottom of feeder - works great. This feeder is almost EUST proof in the winter, but not quite. A little more width on the floor boards and it would be. It is preferable to me over the plexiglass feeders because birds are more visible and they don't get confused in it - easy for them to enter/exit. When using an enclosed feeder like the Evergreen for the first time, there will be a learning period for your EABL. If they watch you put the mealworms out or if you "call" them, they will soon learn. You can place a few on edge of feeder to get them accustomed or put your old feeder near and phase it out.

Paula Z
Powell (Central) Ohio

Two words: Magic Halo. See http://www.sialis.org/halo.htm. $ 19.95 on Amazon.com, a small
investment compared to the cost of mealworms if you're buying them. I REFUSE to feed HOSP unless
they are working for a living as a decoy :-)

Bet from CT

From: Larry A Broadbent [mailto:rockets"at"cogeco.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 2:28 PM
Subject: Storing Mealworms in the Refrigerator

Storing Mealworms in the Refrigerator

- the best method I have come across and use myself, is to keep my mealworms in 1 gal, size Rubbermaid type containers, in a good thick bead of 100% Cornmeal.
- you can easily put 5,000 to 6,000 mealworms per container, this size
- container lids have a minimum of (4) 1/2" holes for ventilation.
- lids have (2) small dampened sponges under the lids - this is for moisture
- sponges are held in place under the lids by string as illustrated in photo http://home.comcast.net/~femad/p2/mealworms.htm from Fawzi Emad's web site
- when you need mealworms to feed your Bluebirds, just scoop out some mealworms & cornmeal from the container and sift it with a sifter. the cornmeal will go right through the sifter, leaving only mealworms in the sifter.
- put the rest of the mealworms back into the refrigerator.
NOTE: you do NOT have to put any carrots, potatoes, or other food in the Rubbermaid container for moisture for the mealworms. The mealworms will go dormant in the refrigerator and will not eat. They get the moisture (humidity) needed from the sponges under the lids.

- it is important to take your container(s) of mealworms out of the refrigerator once every week or two weeks, and leave them out for a day at a time.
this allows the mealworms to become active once again ad for them to eat.
- then put them back into the refrigerator again.
...
Larry A Broadbent

I had the same problem when I inadvertently trained a robin to use a feeder. I had been putting a bowl on the ground underneath the telephone line where the bluebird often perched, trying to get him to recognize the worms as food, and then gradually moving it towards the feeder. Unbeknownst to me, the robin was also following it. After that, the robin was always the first in line, and would grab what seemed like a dozen mealworms at a time, while my dainty blue took them one by one.

The bluebirds here don't like going inside the feeder (I put a catfood can on top) but I was forced to put all worms inside because of the raider robins - otherwise the blues wouldn't get a one. I have an Evergreen feeder (photo at http://www.sialis.org/feederafm.htm) with 1.5" wire openings which I think the bluebirds prefer to plexiglass (mine never did learn to go in the side holes of my plexiglass feeder.)

I am waiting for Larry Broadbent to develop a mockingbird and starling proof one though! (Mockers are able to reach in and get at least some worms from the evergreen feeder.)

Bet from CT

My BBs would never go near the evergreen feeder and wouldn't go in the end holes on the feeder with the plexiglass sides. They wait for the worms to crawl up to the holes on the ends and then pluck them out. I tried leaving one plexiglass side up a slight bit and then took one side off completely and the BBs loved that. Now, however, the mockingbirds have discovered the feeder, so the BBs won't have a chance as they will be chased away. I need to move my feeder as it is now too close to the "Mockingbird territory"
(nearby shrubs where they have nests).

When I first used a mealworm feeder (the one with Plexiglas sides, holes in
end) my blues couldn't figure it out either. What I did was to (this sounds awful, sorry) pin mealworms to the holes at each end. I used straight pins and the blues quickly spotted them. They would finally perch on the holes and see the worms inside -'OK, now I get it!!!' The next problem was when fledglings got interested in the feeder. They would go in eventually and then panic to get out. My husband drilled a second hole low on the feeder on each end. They seem to get out more easily now when they are newbies.

Laura
Marlborough, CT

If you are present when the young get "caught" inside the mealworm feeder, simply go outside and place your hands over the plexi-glass sides to block the light. The fledglings/trapped birds will see the light coming through the openings and exit. Using this method, the birds will also "learn" how to exit the feeder. I say this from the standpoint of someone who has fed mealworms (off and on) for the past 20 years.

~Ann Wick
Black Earth, WI

From: EPuddinTang"at"aol.com [mailto:EPuddinTang"at"aol.com]
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2005 2:22 PM
Subject: Mealworm calamity

I have a dilemma as to how to keep mealworms.
I was getting them 35 at a time from a local pet store for $2.99 a pop.
I decided to order some from online, "thinking that I'd have bluebirds longer than what I did."
Now I have 2000 mealworms with no bb to feed them to.
How, what is the best way to keep them stored?
E. Hebert
Lake Charles, La.

From: Larry A Broadbent [mailto:rockets"at"cogeco.ca]
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2005 2:56 PM
Subject: Re: Mealworm calamity

Hi E. Hebert,

Storing Mealworms in the Refrigerator

- the best method I have come across and use myself, is to keep my mealworms in 1 gal, size Rubbermaid type containers, in a good thick bead of 100% Cornmeal.
- you can easily put 5,000 to 6,000 mealworms per container, this size
- container lids have a minimum of (4) 1/2" holes for ventilation.
- lids have (2) small dampened sponges under the lids - this is for moisture
- sponges are held in place under the lids by string as illustrated in photo http://home.comcast.net/~femad/p2/mealworms.htm from Fawzi Emad's web site
- when you need mealworms to feed your Bluebirds, just scoop out some mealworms & cornmeal from the container and sift it with a sifter. the cornmeal will go right through the sifter, leaving only mealworms in the sifter.
- put the rest of the mealworms back into the refrigerator.
NOTE: you do NOT have to put any carrots, potatoes, or other food in the Rubbermaid container for moisture for the mealworms. The mealworms will go dormant in the refrigerator and will not eat. They get the moisture (humidity) needed from the sponges under the lids.

- it is important to take your container(s) of mealworms out of the refrigerator once every week or two weeks, and leave them out for a day at a time.
this allows the mealworms to become active once again ad for them to eat.
- then put them back into the refrigerator again.

Regards,
Larry A Broadbent

Anything that the Bluebirds will not eat within a few days can be kept in the refrigerator, in a plastic container with a few holes for ventilation. If you're going to keep them in there more than a week or so, take them out once a week, give them a piece of potato, carrot or apple and leave them at room temp for 24 hours. Then fish out whatever they haven't eaten, and put them back in the refrigerator.

Some people like to keep a small "dorm fridge" or "beer fridge" for that purpose, rather than risk having a family member mistake them for some kind of fancy granola - LOL

Cher

...I find my worms will totally devour any slices of peach, orange or apple I put in there, rind and all. And quickly, usually. I haven't read that I was supposed to do this, but I usually have some over-ripe fruit around I use for this purpose. I have a Rubbermaid box full of worms I've had for more than a month now.

I use oatmeal as opposed to cornmeal, and just dump it all in the feeder. The oats often blow away or are eaten by the millions of squirrels we have...

You know, if you don't want to "keep" the mealworms for a very extended period of time, you could always put some out for other birds to eat--I'm sure they'd love them, too. Some other species should still have fledglings following them around or nestlings (young cardinals around here like crazy).

I'm sure the other birds would especially appreciate such treats when migration picks up in a couple months--easy food to pack on weight before crossing the Gulf of Mexico to Central/South America, which is the route some migrants take, anyway.
Good luck, either way!
Elizabeth F
Gainesville, FL

Mealworms will last for months in the frig if properly stored.
http://www.sialis.org/feeder.htm#storing

Your birds might show up again in the fall. Fledglings can show up at a feeder with their parents after a few weeks of hiding out.

Other birds love them (although I wouldn't offer them in a bluebird feeder - no need to train them to devour your supply next year!)

If you have a raptor/bird wildlife rehabber, they would probably really appreciate getting mealworms (most are volunteers that have to buy their own food for many injured animals, and it gets mighty expensive). Another option is a zoo.

You might try selling them back to your pet store half price.

You could give them to a science teacher for experiments with school children. See
http://www.rednova.com/news/display/?id=83594 and http://www.leapingfromthebox.com/art/rlg/mealworms.html

Other creatures that eat mealworms (in case you know anybody who has them) Bird food - caged and wild. Includes many songbirds and chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, peafowl, quail, chukar, pheasant, and domestic ducks. Small birds like finches prefer 0.5" size (worms 4-6 weeks old).

Excellent fish bait. Mealworms last on the hook longer than many other kinds of live bait. They are one of the best baits for bluegill, perch, trout, whitefish and many pan fish, and for ice fishing.

Tropical fish. They especially enjoy newly molted larvae.

Turtles (aquatic turtles of all sorts, box turtles, tortoises), reptiles (sailfin lizards, chameleons, fringe-toed lizards, basilisks, water dragons, basilisks, anoles), frogs (e.g., dart), toads, salamanders and newts.

Small mammals, e.g. mice, hedgehogs, shrews, sugar gliders, moles, voles, marmosets, bats, rats and other insectivores.

Scorpions, praying mantis, centipedes, large insectivorous spiders, etc.

Bet from CT

Now I'm confused....I thought the pieces of carrot placed in the container were for moisture (I know some use wet sponges). Do the mealworms eat the carrots or are they just for moisture? Should we be putting apple or orange slices in there for food.....and how often?

From: Lana Hunt [mailto:lanahunt"at"kcp.uky.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 2:07 PM
Subject: Re: Meal worm calamity

I forgot some mealworms in the container with small holes in the top in the refrigerator at the farm. They were there from late last summer. I took them out this spring and was preparing to throw them away when I saw them start moving. After they had thoroughly warmed up, the blue birds ate them all.
Lana
Morehead, KY

'Seems that someone recently asked about what to do with mealworms after bluebirds depart? (I'm focused on getting things ready for on-line registration to open on September 1st for the NABS 2006 Convention in San Antonio, April 26 - 30 ... so I'm deleting many Messages.)

MANY species eat mealworms. You can attract species with mealworms that you could never see "up close" without mealworms.

This morning, Painted Buntings and Canyon Wrens hopped along my back porch ... just on the other side of my French door windows ... picking up mealworms.

A baby Curved-billed Thrasher (the ugliest things I've seen in all my whole
life) gleaned tossed mealworms recently.

Sure! If you put them out in the open greedy mockingbirds might steal every one. But, try tossing some near seed feeders and set a dish in a protected spot on the ground near a bird bath. Or, toss some on the porch.

This year, new members of the North American Bluebird Society receive a coupon for 1,000 free mealworms from either Sunshine Mealworms or The Nature's Way.

Both of these companies provide a 15% discount on mealworms to NABS members (just provide the membership # from the mailing label of your "Bluebird"
journal).

"Neat birds" (including bluebirds!) eating mealworms give a "photo opportunity" for a great newspaper article ... to teach others that there's more to feeding birds than buying a bag of black-oil sunflower seed.

Pauline Tom
Mountain City (no mountains) TX
Membership Chair, North American Bluebird Society, www.nabluebirdsociety.org

My chickadees and titmice go nuts for mealworms. So do downy and hairy woodpeckers...I had a hairy get very frustrated this week when couldn't get his little head into the special bluebird feeder I use. Luckily I have another, open feeder I also fill with worms.

Don't forget robins. Unfortunately, I lost a juvenile to predation earlier this year, as it had taken to hanging out under my feeders (which are suspended from trees, both to stop squirrel raids and to prevent raccoon and cat predation of birds feeding near the ground.

From: Dean Sheldon [mailto:seedbed"at"accnorwalk.com]
Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2005 3:03 PM
Subject: PERSPECTIVE

With all of the interest in feeding mealworms to EABL, people should keep in mind that one does not NEED to do that in order to have a successful/fruitful/meaningful bluebirding experience. Supplemental feeding of any kind is certainly not a requirement for good bluebird management either on a trail or in the backyard. Dean Sheldon, Greenwich, OH

After finishing chores today, I was sitting on our porch watching the titmice, nuthatches and finches eat safflower seed. The gold finches are
going crazy for the sunflowers we planted that are starting to turn to seed.
I noticed the backyard bluebirds with their latest brood of four hanging out at the mealworm feeder. Mom and Dad were busy grabbing beakfuls of worms, flying to the branches where their babies waited and then feeding their babies one after another. They managed to drop several mealworms in the
process. Suddenly, two of the babies simultanously flew to the ground, and
one started searching through the grass for the fallen tidbits. Grabbing
one, she turned to her sibling and poked it in his gaping mouth! She
quickly dived for another morsel, but ignored her starving sibling the second time!

We have two nest boxes with 2 and 4 eggs and we have another nest box with 2 brand new hatchlings today!

Trudy Pischer
Willard, MO

Paula, Dean, Bruce, et al (this salutation is getting longer ;)

I also agree that mealworm feeding is not required and is more for our pleasure and proximity than to provide sustenance to the birds. However, there are some situations where I believe that mealworm feeding is more important during the nesting season.

If a HOSP appears during the time the young are in the nestbox, I believe that providing a source of food near the nestbox (50 feet) helps the parent bluebirds to stay closer to the box, protecting it more effectively.

Additionally, if there is a cold, rainy, insect-free period in the spring, mealworm feeding can prevent some nestling loss.

Pam in Harford County, Maryland

Dean,

This is a good reminder. Supplemental feeding is definitely not required.
It is fun to watch them eat the worms, but you will have successful bluebird nestings without them. I never feed mealworms on my trail. I do give my backyard birds a few worms when I think about it, but it is not an every day thing for me here.

I change this in the winter because quite a few bluebirds overwinter here in central Ohio. I keep feeder stocked with Bluebird Banquet because natural food sources are scarce at this time and a cold, icy spell could cover available berries and make them unedible.

Paula Z
Powell (Central) Ohio

Paula, Dean, et al,

Amen to that. Supplemental feeding, including mealworms, is not
required by the Bluebirds. It enhances our entertainment, but the birds
don't need it any more than I need hot fudge sundaes.
On the other hand, I doubt that it can hurt them very much, -
at least I've never seen proof that it does.

Bruce Burdett, SW NH

From: Amy Louise Marr [mailto:MARR_AMY_LOUISE"at"Lilly.com]
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2005 4:25 PM
Subject: mealworm feeding-entertaining

I agree that feeding mealworms is fun for the monitor.

True, there may be times when it's helpful to the birds.

However, I will hold to the 'it's fun but not necessary' point of view.

I think it is risky to imply, especially with people new to bluebirding on the list, that lack of mealworms could be a causative agent in the death of nestlings. Although we are sad at their loss, we should not feel guilty for not providing mealworms.

I have backyard boxes and manage a trail. I feed some (not 100's per day or anything) at home, for my own entertainment and the opportunity to see them closer. I do not and would not supply mealworms on the trail.

Just my two cents

I had just one set of bluebirds at home this year they arrived late and left early!
Amy Louise Marr
Greenfield, IN 46140

I agree that feeding mealworms is optional. However, I have so few bluebird nestings on my trail that I’ve concluded it is worth the extra effort and expense for me (I am saving a lot of money now that I’ve finally gotten my mealworm farm going.)

I lost a nest of 4 twelve-day old nestlings in 2003 during an extended period of cold wet weather when I ran out of mealworms. Since then, I have not run out, and also have not lost a single bluebird nestling, despite some serious blowfly infestations (<100 in one nest), and a runt situation.

On the other hand, this year I did see a number of tree swallow nestling deaths after extended rainy periods.

Bet from CT
Links -
Feeding mealworms: http://www.sialis.org/feeder.htm Raising mealworms: http://www.sialis.org/raisingmealworms.htm
Tree swallows dead in box; http://www.sialis.org/tresdead.htm
The runt from egg to fledge: http://www.sialis.org/runt.htm

From: Christine Brown_Richard Poole [mailto:Catbird"at"cfl.rr.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 5:25 PM
Subject: PAIN

ALL animal species can suffer pain. Some animals can scream, yelp, screech or wail. Some can’t, although they can suffer as much as the audible ones. Their nervous systems are similar and contain the same biochemicals that are associated with pain in ourselves. Pain is pain regardless of the individual.
Yet there are many bluebird lovers that think mealworms are just birdseed.
Richard Poole
Longwood, FL

From: bookfanaticef-bluebird"at"yahoo.com [mailto:bookfanaticef-bluebird"at"yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 7:35 PM
Subject: Re: PAIN

This is true.

However, bluebirds, and a vast number of other bird (and a great many other animal) species in the world is a predator on something. They cannot survive without insects, fish, other birds, or mammals in their diet, at least part of the time--especially during nesting season; even primarily seed-eating birds will switch to insects for themselves and their extremely fast-growing young because they can't obtain the nutrition (protein) they need from seeds alone.

Predation is not pretty, or "nice" as we think of things, and certainly not painless for the prey, but it is *absolutely necessary* for the survival of these animals. Some animals are even cannibals (female praying mantis and some female spiders eat their mates alive after the male has served his sole purpose for existing--reproduction). Animals don't share our morals; in fact, nearly all (if not all) are amoral by our standards--having none, either good or bad. They just *are*.

Bluebirds and other animals would eat other animals regardless of whether people help them out by supplying them with prey. If they didn't get them from a feeder, they'd snatch them from your plants--which they will still do anyway. It's simply what they do.

If you disagree with people feeding mealworms to birds (no matter what species), because you don't want the mealworms to feel pain, then don't do it yourself.
Elizabeth F
Gainesville, FL

From: Tnbluebirdman"at"aol.com [mailto:Tnbluebirdman"at"aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 10:22 PM
Subject: Enough Already!!!!

List,
If any of you want to turn this forum into an animal rights arguement, Concider me outa here.
Next someone will tell me how many millions of micro organisms I slaughter each time I mow my lawn.
Please say it aint so...Pain or no pain, everything has to eat....enough said...
Bob in Tn.

Back in the years when I was a beekeeper, I tried to create the best possible conditions for my swarms (colonies) so that they would give me the best possible honey yields. The conditions I created were considerably better than the ones they found in nature.
The Bluebirder tries to do something similar. We build the best cavities (houses) that we can and locate them in the best venues. We try to keep our houses clean, well insulated, dry, and protected from various predators and competitors.
Inevitably, in my opinion, we have to eliminate various other live creatures which interfere with what we are doing and create unsafe conditions for Bluebirds.
Once again I urge you all to consider the many creatures that we routinely kill just about every day of our lives: mice, rats, mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, ants, blackflies, wasps, hornets, earwigs, blowflies, tomato worms, clothes moths. I'd add to that list the woodchucks and racoons in our gardens, the moles in our lawns, the stray cats in our fields and forests, and the House Sparrows and Starlings which attack and destroy Bluebirds.
I find it pointless, even absurd, to question whether or not these pests suffer pain as we eliminate them. In the real world, pain and death seem to me to be a part of life. Even as my semi-domesticated Chipmunk sits in my hand and stuffs himself with seeds and lets me stroke his back, and looks up at me with his soulful little eyes, I realize that Chipmunks are a major food source for any number of other critters, and that his days with me are numbered.

So it goes.

Bruce Burdett, SW NH

From: charlene anchor [mailto:charleneanchor"at"msn.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 1:22 AM
Subject: O.T. / Differences

Charlene Anchor, Illinois

If someone told me about the millions of organisms making up my lawn that I would be slaughtering as I mowed, I would be interested. It wouldn't stop me from mowing my lawn, if that's what I wanted to do. It would just enable me to appreciate what makes up my lawn. Our lives are made up of pain, joy, sadness, happiness, etc. etc. Do mealworms "jump for joy"? How do we know? Some entomologist out there probably knows I would suspect insect pain is different from human pain because of the differences in the nervous systems. But I know very little about it. The point is, we should be able to discuss any cavity-nesting, bird-related topic (leaving out religion and politics). There's always more to learn from others even if it seems absurd or silly.

To all,

After the baby Bluebirds fledged last month, I haven't seen them or their parents. I'm waiting for them to come back. In the meantime, I'm left with a bunch of mealworms. Too many!! What should I do with them? If I put them out, other birds will eat them.
Peggy (Western, NY)

You bet they will, Peggy!!! But, just as a note, my BBs disappeared for a
couple of weeks, but now come around twice a day looking for the
mealworms!!!

From: Virginia [mailto:Vlutt410"at"frontiernet.net]
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 2:31 AM
Subject: Mealworms

Just take them out and put them in your feeder, whistle and keep whistling and they will come. After mine had their babies they left and only came around for the mealworms. Of course, I would see them in the trees at different times. Anyway, I ran out of the worms for 10 days or so. But, as soon as a friend took some out for me to the feeder and started whistling, here they came. This is the 2nd. year I have been feeding them. In the winter I feed them right on my deck because I don't want to have to walk out in the snow or cold to feed them. And they fly right down and set on a perch and hop onto the feeder that I made for them. I use the same kind that I can just snap below their birdbox to feed them. I guess they like it because I have seen them fly on it to check it out different times to see if their are any worms in it. One of their boxes is about 30 feet from my living room window.

Virginia Rushville, IL.

From: Larry A Broadbent [mailto:rockets"at"cogeco.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2005 1:40 PM
Subject: Rasining Superworms

Raising Superworms - Update

Dear List members,
I started a project to raise my own Superworms in June. I have been success in getting my Superworms to morph into Pupae, and then into Beetles.
And finally to get the beetles to lay eggs , and now have my first batch of young superworms growing fast.

I will post a follow up with details. Raising superworms require a few different steps than for Mealworms.

You can NOT store Superworms in the fridge. That will kill them. They are a tropical species.

More details in my follow up.

Regards,
Larry A Broadbent
Chatham, Ontario
Canada

I fed mealies during the nesting season, and one particular male waited for me to open the blinds every morning. He sat on the feeder pole until I came out with his breakfast. I have not seen him for months, until this morning.
When I opened the blinds there he sat, looking me right in the eye. He is beautiful, dark blue and bright orange breast. New clothes? I had to hurry to the fridge and wake up some mealies for him. He seems happy.
Phil Berry
Gulf Breeze, Florida

From: Fultons [mailto:thefultons"at"everestkc.net]
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 2:33 PM
Subject: "freeze dried" mealworms

Someone gave me a package of "freeze dried" mealworms. Does anyone here have any experience with these? I had no idea such a thing existed. If they worked, they would be a perfect solution for freezing winter temps feeding. …

Cristy Fulton
Lenexa, KS

I had experience a couple of years ago with the dried mealworms. I bought them at the Audubon Store near Fort Bragg and was assured the birds "loved"
them. They were very expensive, and not one was eaten. Think about it -- the birds find insects by watching for movement, and these worms sure didn't move. Maybe you could mix them up in Bluebird Banquet or something and they would get eaten that way. The didn't work for me, though.

Barbara Sibio, Cloverdale, CA

For sure, they won't eat the dead ones is my experience. I had some samples that Sunshine Mealworms sent to us to give out at our annual meeting last year. Some of them had dead worms. I put both live and dead out and they picked the live ones and left the dead ones, never eating a dead one.

Normally, I don't feed mealworms. I feed stewed raisins and a chunky peanut butter ball with oatmeal in it during the wintertime. On any warm day where I live, insects move and the birds prefer them. However, my yard blues have a sweet tooth for the raisins year round as of the last year and half. I put a few out all along, just enough to pacify them. I think they need the insects when they can get them.

Evelyn Cooper
Delhi, LA

Dear Cristy and all,

At the end of last year I had some mealworms left over when the Bluebirds had left for the year so I froze them. This spring the Bluebirds arrived before my first shipment of mealies so I put out some of the frozen ones and they did eat them, but in NW Wisconsin in March there weren't many other choices.

Mary Roen, River Falls, WI

I used them one time. They eat some but I think
it is better to give them suet, raisins or berries when it is cold if you are going to feed them. I use berries and suet when it is cold.

Maynard Sumner
Flint, MI

Raising meal worms...is a "project' by itself for sure:( I've throw dead worms into the feeder...they won't eat them. I've put the "almost alive"
beetles in the feeders.....they will eat them! Anything dead they will Not eat.

Haven't seen blues in a few months, I have mealies in the refrig for the winter, take them out and let them feed and store again:)

Saw an interesting thing today with a " titmouse", he/she would grab the food...fly off into the woods, they did this about 20 times, looks to me he/she is storing for the winter as a Blue Jay would do:)

Sheila Rogers
Redding, CA

Maybe they eat them freeze dried I dont know.. i found dried up ones that were live in feeders.. They take what they need/ dont feel you can overfeed the mealies nor do they become dependent on it.. but in cold freezing icy weather yes i think it would matter and maybe they might eat those "preserved mealies".. I would get them out of the frig and throw some high protein feed in that bag.. and they munch out out of their slumber state. Birds have good instincts for a reason and marketing is just what it is.

Kathy Clark New Cumberland, PA

Hi... I'm new and have been lurking for the last week trying to learn more.

A few days ago, I saw 3 or 4 Eastern bluebirds in and out of a nest box colonized by tree swallows during the Spring. If these birds stay through the winter, will they be pushed out by the tree swallows when Spring comes back. Second, what kind of mealworms should I buy... any
suggestions? Do mealworms work in the winter in the Northeast?

David
Old Chatham, NY

...

The birds do prefer mealworms so this would be a great way to get them to start coming to your feeder. You can buy a few mealworms at Wild Birds Unlimited or at local pet store. You can also purchase them in quantity via the internet. There are a number of feeders out there, and I have tried a few. My favorite feeder for winter feeding so far is the Evergreen feeder with a modification. I have drilled a 1 1/2" hole on each side to give the birds a second means of entry/exit. Unfortunately, Afton Mountain Wildlife has shut down their website and no longer sells this feeder I believe. It is a nice one and I hope someone will fill the gap. This feeder would be positively perfect if the floor width could be extended about 2 or 3 inches (EUST have long necks).

For winter feeding, I have placed a Rubbermaid desk organizer filled with
suet in the center of the feeder. This helps to keep the food away from
the edges where the European Starlings (EUST) will certainly find it and eat you out of house and home. The key to successful winter feeding is keeping the EUST out while letting the EABL in. This is not a problem at all in the spring/summer months for me so any old feeder would do. Winter is a big challenge. Last year, I jokingly stated that 2 EUST quickly become 200. It ended up being no joke, as large numbers of these birds descended upon the feeders that had poor design.

Paula Z
Powell (Central) Ohio

I was wondering has anyone had any luck with waxworms instead of mealworms? I have no experience with either but want to make it attractive for a family of bluebirds to stay (Columbia County, New York). My local pet store only sells waxworms and I don't know how long it would take mealworms ordered from a web site to arrive.

David
Old Chatham, NY

Hi David,

The fact is that bluebirds actually prefer waxworms over mealworms because of their higher fat content. In addition they will eagerly eat roasted waxworms eliminating the need to buy live ones. Bluebirds are very reluctant to eat roasted mealworms although they mow down live ones. The downside is cost. Roasted waxworms are available from Audubon Workshop at www.audubonworkshop.com under the trade name bird grubs. They are relatively expensive but at 2500 grubs/lb they last a long time and there are no storage issues.

It is important to keep in mind that waxworms, mealworms, and bluebird banquet mixes are supplements not complete diets.

Bill Whittaker

From: beetle cat [mailto:beetlecat812"at"yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2005 12:56 PM
Subject: Do bluebirds accept waxworms?

I had bluebirds that regularly accepted mealworms. I once bought waxworms because it was all that was available and the bluebirds wouldn't touch them.

Cindy
Lansing, MI

From: beetle cat [mailto:beetlecat812"at"yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2005 1:07 PM
Subject: Do bluebirds accept waxworms?

David,

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I always had great success when I ordered my mealworms on-line. I'd be happy to tell you the company if you want to e-mail me off list. I don't know what the "rules" are about throwing company's names around on here.

The company I always bought from, has a "live guarantee" but you have to agree that there will be someone home to sign for them. Otherwise you waive the "live guarantee" and they will leave the box outside. And depending on the weather, you don't want them outside too long. I always had my mealworms arrive within a few days. They don't want them in transit too long.

I never had much luck offering mealworms in winter. It's like the bluebirds in my area had their minds set on berries and weren't even looking for bugs. Of course since it was cold outside, the mealworms didn't wiggle and therefore didn't catch ! their attention.

The woman at my local nature store told me that she uses a heated birdbath and puts a cup of the mealworms in the heated water and that keeps them wiggling around. So, the bluebirds notice them. I never tried it but it sounds like a good idea.

Cindy
Lansing, MI

That sounds like it would make for a messy bird bath, and they get messy enough with seeds, feathers, bird droppings, algae, etc!

Kate Arnold
Paris, TX

When you order worms check the state Bluebird Society that is in your state and see where to order so your state society get some of the money.

Maynard Sumner
Flint, MI

I have "heard" some of you mention using dog food for your mealworms. Would that be dry or canned? I have a fine "crop" of worms right now and want them to be nice a plump for the blues.

Sharon
Cary, NC

Hi Sharon,
I rise and sell both Mealworm and Superworms to bluebirders and to pet stores.
You will want to pout your mealworms into a bran mixture. White or Red bran and some cornmeal, wheat germ, etc. Chicken egg laying mash or chick starter is also good.
I avoid rolled oat flakes.
Add a chick of potato cut into one or two pieces for moisture.
Keep in a small Rubbermaid type container

Need more specifics, please email me directly at rockets"at"cogeco.ca


Regards,
Larry A Broadbent
Chatham, ON Canada

I just use lettuce leaves, potato pieces and peels, and apple pieces.

Dottie, Hickory Hollow
Brown County, Indiana

I have done something similar to this, but I also use a GFCI extension cord designed for outdoor use. That stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, and basically it trips if there is a short, which would occur if water got into the sandwich bag setup described below. You will not need such a cord if your outlet is a GFCI, but many are not.

Kate Arnold
Paris, Texas

My mealworms will eat just about any fruit or vegetable I put into their container for moisture. They'll eat oranges and tomatoes, although their favorite by far is celery. They'll have several good- size sticks gone in just one evening.

Continued in Part 4

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