Large Birds & Live Mealworms - Managing Supply & Demand

There are few things more rewarding than putting out live mealworms in the breeding season. The spectacle of adult birds taking the mealworms to their nest for the young, then feeding the fledgelings a few weeks later, is simply brilliant. It’s also highly rewarding because it’s done in the knowledge that feeding live mealworms at this time of year increases breeding success for a host of different garden bird species.

However, a question we’re often asked by our customers is:

“How can I keep larger birds and species in larger numbers from taking all the live food?”

Why live mealworms are essential for the breeding season

Live mealworms provide critical nutrients to birds, especially during breeding season. The protein they provide helps adult birds sustain energy and improves the chances of survival for fledglings.

One of the benefits of live mealworms is that they encourage natural foraging behaviours. This leads to higher breeding success for species like robins, house sparrows, and blackbirds. For anyone feeding birds in their garden, we can contribute to the well-being of local birds during a critical time by providing this high-protein food source.

The challenge of managing the supply and demand of mealworms

The main issue as we see it, is that most people are keen to feed birds such as Robin, House Sparrow and Blackbird with live mealworms – with all of these species readily taking them – but larger species, such as Magpie, are not so welcome, plus Starlings will often arrive in numbers and can make short work of a bowl of food.

However, if a caged feeder is used then, yes, it will allow small birds to feed and certainly keep out Magpies, Jackdaws and Starlings, but will also prevent Blackbirds too. It is really important to allow at least some live food for Starlings, however, as the species has been in decline and needs our help as much as many other species.

Top tips for feeding robins, blackbirds, and other small garden birds mealworms

At Vine House Farm, we know how important it is to strategically place feeders in gardens. Opting for a sheltered area and using a mix of mealworms and seeds is a huge help, as is the use of caged feeders. This is vital to prevent larger birds from dominating the food supply.

We also recommend positioning feeders at different heights to accommodate the variety of species in your garden. Robins and blackbirds tend to prefer ground-level feeders.

Use caged bird feeders to deter magpies and starlings

Use a caged feeder to allow Robins and other small species to easily feed and with no risk of larger species taking the mealworms, but also provide a more limited supply in a feeder. Caged feeders or ground guards are a great way to allow smaller birds to access mealworms but deter larger birds, such as magpies and starlings. They are used to cover feeders and have a mesh that small birds can sneak through in order to access the food.

The size of the mesh means that birds such as starlings and magpies cannot access the food. This is a great deterrent and ensures that only small birds can get to the mealworms, ensuring that the larger birds can’t take all of the live food.

Opt for live mealworm bird feeders

Our mealworm bird feeders are ideal for preventing the larvae from wriggling away. Many of them are also small in size to deter larger birds, as they might struggle to maintain a grip.

If the Live Food Bird Feeder is used or the slightly larger Robin Feeder, then positioning it relatively close to your house may deter larger, shyer species such as Magpie from visiting it. In addition, hanging the feeder from a tree or feeder station may also help keep larger species off as it will be difficult – though probably not impossible – for them to cling on to the feeder. That said, hanging the feeder up also makes it more difficult for Blackbirds, as the species is naturally a ground feeder.

Why not try ground feeders?

Ground feeders are another popular option. Many small birds prefer to eat on the ground, and if you strategically place the feeder closer to the house, it can help to deter those larger birds. You may not be able to completely prevent large birds from feeding on the live mealworms, but you can reduce the amount they are taking, allowing smaller birds to thrive.

Finding the right solution for your garden

The solution best suited to your garden will depend on different factors, such as the locally occurring bird species, the availability of food, and more. If you have a high number of local species, you might find that your feeder could be emptied fairly quickly. , but That’s just something that has to be accepted – and you can, of course, leave it for an hour or two before refilling.

Of course, the best solution will vary between different gardens and dependant on various factors and in particular what species of bird occur locally, but overall having both a cage feeder and an open one, which would ideally be on the ground or on a table, is the best approach.