With spring approaching, gardeners across the UK are encouraged to support native birds by donating an inexpensive treat: mealworms. A packet starts at just £2.10, and these wiggly little worms are sure to delight your feathered guests.
Live or dried mealworms are rich in protein and an excellent choice during breeding season. Blackbirds and robins especially enjoy feeding them to their chicks.
It’s not just common garden birds that benefit from this. Young birds, such as tits and house sparrows, may also bring mealworms back to their nests to feed their young, especially when caterpillars are scarce.
During this time of year, natural food sources can change dramatically. Cold snaps or late frosts can slow insect activity, leaving hungry chicks to wait in the nest.
At this time, gardeners’ help becomes especially important. Placing mealworm larvae on clean bird feeders or hanging feeders can help local bird populations thrive.
However, those providing this food should keep one important point in mind. Experts warn against allowing mealworms to scatter on the ground, especially at night.
This is because hedgehogs are common nocturnal foragers in British gardens, and they may mistakenly eat mealworms. Unfortunately, what’s nutritious for birds can be harmful to these spiky creatures.
Hedgehogs that frequently consume mealworms can develop metabolic osteodystrophy, which causes skeletal deformities. This is a serious and often irreversible health problem.
To prevent this, bird lovers are advised to place mealworms on elevated feeders and remove any fallen mealworms before dusk. Keeping the feeding area clean also helps prevent attracting rats and other pests.
Whenever possible, choose live mealworms, as they better match the birds’ natural habits and are less likely to scatter. If using dried mealworms, soak them in water first; this will make them easier for the chicks to digest and help them stay hydrated.
Feeding birds in the spring not only helps them survive but also allows people to enjoy the unique beauty of nature in their own gardens. There’s nothing more delightful than watching a female blackbird, a mealworm larva in her beak, fluttering toward her hidden nest.
So, while a small packet of mealworms may not seem like much, it could mean the difference between life and death for the next generation of garden birds in May.
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Post time: Jan-02-2026