Mealworms for Bats; they aren't just for bluebirds!
We thoroughly enjoy talking with our customers when they call to place an order. Our customers are a varied group with all sorts of stories. One woman shared that she feeds our mealworms to her bat. We had to know more and luckily Gerri agreed to share her background with us.
Berney Eating an eBirdseed.com Mealworm
Gerri Griswold has been a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for The State of Connecticut for thirteen years specializing in Connecticut’s Bat Species. She also carries a permit from the CT DEP to keep non releasable bats for Education and is licensed by the USDA as an Exhibitor.
Her grass roots work on behalf of bats has been supported by Bat Conservation International, the National Park Service, The Connecticut DEP, and the author of Bats in Captivity, Susan Barnard. Amanda Lollar, The Founder of Bat World in Mineral Wells, Texas and co author of Captive Care of Insectivorous Bats is also an enthusiastic supporter.
Gerri has been
featured on the cover of The Weekly Reader and has co-produced a segment about
bats for The Late Show with David Letterman. She has appeared on Lifetime Television.
Every year Gerri and her wee cavalcade of “Am-Batsadors” deliver
approximately 75 programs in classrooms, nature centers, and libraries throughout
the State to hundreds of children and adults.
To learn more about the significant role that bats play on our planet:
Bat Conservation International: www.batcon.org
Basically Bats: www.basicallybats.org
Bat World: www.batworld.org
Comments
I am sending this email with no intent other than to inform
I just spent the scariest week of my life with breathing shortness ( I could barely walk to the next room without
running out of breath)
Turns out I had a severe and COMMON allergic reaction to my sons mealworm farm.
We have kept mealworms for about a month to not only feed my sons lizards, but to compliment
the sunflower seeds, thistle, suet and other seeds we feed wild birds in our yard.
After 3 hospital visits,
I was properly diagnosed and treated with steroids, I am still a bit short of breath
but improving.
I should note, I do not have asthma, and have never smoked.
Tonight I am doing research on this and find it very common
I also found your website stating mealworms are a good food item for birds.
I am not sure I am ready to set out on a campaign to educate the world.
But, I felt when I saw you website I owed it to people to at least share this info. with someone.
You may want to read http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=13994811
or search Google for mealworm allergy or mealworm asthma
Its up to you if you pass this info. along to anyone.
I feel better knowing I have shared it.
No need to reply back
Sincerely,
Jon
Jon Van Buren
651-638-2222
Fax 651-638-2221
www.ImprintItems.com
Posted by: imprintED | December 10, 2006 5:15 AM