A puzzling problem (attracting birds).

I know many attract birds by using live meal worms etc to bring insect feeding birds.

Now i have a slight issue in that i have a slight phobia of grubs and maggots, which makes handling them not a fun experience.

So i wonder, is there an alternative i could use?

The wife or girlfriend (to handle them not as bait I mean )

CJ Wild Bird Foods do feed with dried insects in. Not quite as good as live ones but at least they don't wriggle and squirm!

Barrie

Hi Barrie,
The issue with the dried ones is that i worry about them feeding the dried insects to chicks, which get their moisture from the food they eat.

The problem with the first solution is carting Rosie with my over hill and dale

This has been covered before recently, dehydrated mealworms should be rehydrated before feeding to the birds - ie soak 'em before feeding

Hi Paul,

I've been using dried mealworms that I've poured boiling water over and left for five minutes! Works a treat! Not quite as good as the real thing though but still get gobbled in a flash! The smell alone attracts them in seconds!

I've been placing some live ones out so I can capture images of them flying off with food in their mouths!

Do you have to handle them... Rubber gloves, deep dished measuring spoon....

Is the phobia just handling or is it the sight of them?

Hi Phil,
Sight really, i dont know what caused it, as i was fine as a young child, but since about 7 i have just had an issue with them.
Esp the likes of cockchaffer grubs (even the thought of them makes me me squirm).

Oddly Rosie has the same for centipedes...