eBirdseed.com Wild Bird Feeding Blog

These high-protein, live mealworms are an excellent addition to your backyard feeding plan.

In addition to attracting bluebirds, many other species enjoy these 3/4" treats If you haven't used mealworms before you should know that they are NOT slimy, they don't bite, they are easy to store and easy to feed from about any feeder.

Mealworms are not really worms at all but are the larval form of the darkling beetle (Tenebrio molitor).

They are clean, easy to raise, do not carry human diseases and most importantly are a nutritious food supplement readily accepted by bluebirds.

Mealworms can be offered to bluebirds to:

• Entice them to use a nest box.
• Assist the incubating female to find food quickly so she does not have to leave her eggs for long periods of time.
• Act as supplementary food for nestlings if food becomes scarce when weather conditions prevent the parents from finding insects.
• Help them survive during spells of severe winter weather.

Feeding Mealworms to Bluebirds:

There are several types of feeders that can be used, or you can just scatter mealworms on the ground. The latter method is least advised as mealworms are attractive to most birds and they might all be eaten before bluebirds can find them.

The best type of feeder is the hopper style where the mealworms can be placed inside the feeder with the bluebirds entering from a hole at either end. Naturally curious, bluebirds will readily explore this type of feeder and quickly recognize it as a food source.

The 1 1/2" hole at each end will effectively exclude larger birds. Smaller birds will soon catch on, but an aggressive male bluebird will usually defend "his" feeder, especially if he and his mate are nesting nearby. Some find that putting a flat saucer with a few worms in it on top of the hopper feeder will help draw the bluebird's attention to the location of the feeder. Once they become familiar with the routine, the saucer should be removed and mealworms placed inside the feeder. The location of the feeder can also be moved as the birds become familiar with it, and then moved to a spot where it is easier for you to watch them feed.

One of the highlights of feeding mealworms to bluebirds is watching the fledged young start coming down to the feeder, first begging to be fed and eventually figuring out for themselves how to get the tasty treats on their own. Because they should be used as a supplemental food, mealworms should only be offered once or twice a day unless poor weather conditions dictate more frequent feeding. A hundred or so worms offered morning and evening would be adequate for a pair with a box of nestlings.

This information is provided by the North American Bluebird Society. Be a part of the conservation solution. Join NABS, The North American Bluebird Society!

Contact the NABS headquarters: www.nabluebirdsociety.org

Mealworms and Giant Mealies can be stored for several weeks. Transfer them to shallow, smooth sided tray or tub. If the sides of your container are smooth enough, a lid should not be necessary. If a lid is used, it should be well ventilated or your mealworms will become damp and die in a short time. To prevent such occurrences, add a little bran, oatmeal, or corn meal and carrots. Your mealworms can be kept for several weeks, under the right conditions.

Steps to remember for proper storage:

• 1. Keep dry and well ventilated.
• 2. NOT TOO DEEP! Maximum depth of worms and bedding should be no more than 1" - 1 1/2" deep.
• 3. KEEP COOL! Ideally, mealworms should be stored at 45 degrees farenheight

They should be stored somewhere cool. However, be careful when the winter season rolls around. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below 40 degrees will kill your worms.

Posted by eBirdseed.com at 8:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Some of us at eBirdseed.com are cat owners and really never thought of the number of birds and other small wildlife creatures that are killed by outdoor cats each year. We found this information from the "CatsIndoors!" campaign very interesting. We want to make sure all pets and wildlife are kept safe and healthy.

The Problem:

There are more than 90 million pet cats in the U.S., the majority of which roam outside at least part of the time. In addition, millions of stray and feral cats roam our cities, suburbs, and rural areas. Scientists estimate that free-roaming cats kill hundreds of millions of birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians each year. Cat predation is an added stress to wildlife populations already struggling to survive habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, and other human impacts. Free-roaming cats are also exposed to injury, disease, parasites, getting hit by cars, or becoming lost, stolen, or poisoned. Millions of domestic cats are euthanized each year because there are not enough homes for them. Cats can also transmit diseases and parasites such as rabies, cat-scratch fever, and toxoplasmosis to other cats, wildlife or people.

In 1997, American Bird Conservancy (ABC) launched the Cats Indoors! Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats to educate cat owners, decision makers, and the general public that cats, wildlife and people all benefit when cats are kept indoors, in an outdoor enclosure, or trained to go outside on a harness and leash. ABC developed many education materials, including fact sheets, posters, the popular brochure, Keeping Cats Indoors Isn’t Just For The Birds, an Educator’s Guide for Grades K-6, print and radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs), and more.

What You Can Do:

Join thousands of supporters and conduct a Cats Indoors! education campaign in your community using the materials ABC has developed. Involve conservation groups, humane societies, veterinarians, animal control agencies, county and state parks and wildlife agencies in the effort.

Refer to this link for more information: http://www.abcbirds.org/cats/

Posted by eBirdseed.com at 5:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)