Can you buy worms to feed birds?

Yes, you can definitely buy worms to feed birds. There are a few different options for purchasing live worms to use as bird food. Many bait shops sell containers of live worms, such as nightcrawlers, that work well for feeding birds. You can also order live worms online from various worm farms and suppliers. Additionally, some pet stores sell live worms in their fish or reptile sections that can also be used for birds.

Why Use Worms to Feed Birds?

Feeding birds worms provides them with a natural, protein-rich food source. Many species of wild birds naturally consume worms and insects as a major part of their diet. Providing backyard birds with live worms can supplement their nutrition and attract more birds to your yard or feeders.

Here are some key benefits of using worms to feed birds:

• High in protein – Worms contain more protein per ounce than many seeds or grains used in bird seed mixes.
• Energy boost – The fat content in worms gives birds an quick energy boost.
• Ideal for baby birds – Worms provide an excellent source of nutrition for growing nestlings.
• Encourages natural foraging – When you scatter worms on the ground or in trays, it allows birds to forage as they naturally would.
• Fun activity – Watching birds gobble up worms can provide Hours of entertainment.
• Supplements diet – Worms add variety to birds’ diets and provides nutrients they may not get from seed alone.

Feeding birds worms is especially beneficial during spring nesting season when parent birds require extra nutrition for raising young chicks. It’s also very helpful to offer worms in winter when natural food sources may be scarce.

Best Types of Worms for Birds

The most common types of worms used to feed birds include:

• Nightcrawlers – Also known as earthworms. A favorite food source for robins and other thrushes.
• Mealworms – Often sold dried or freeze-dried as well as live. Many seed-eating birds like chickadees love these.
• Waxworms – A soft bodied worm enjoyed by bluebirds, wrens, and other insect-eating birds.
• Superworms – Larger worms relished by bigger birds like thrashers, jays, and mockingbirds.

Other good worm options are red wigglers, composting worms, and black soldier fly larvae. Crickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and grubs can also substitute for worms to provide birds with crucial protein.

Where to Buy Worms for Birds

Here are some of the best places to purchase live worms as bird food:

• Bait shops – Stores that sell fishing bait and tackle almost always stock containers of live nightcrawlers, which are perfect for feeding birds.
• Online worm companies – Websites like Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm, Worm Man’s Worms, and BestBaitForever sell worms shipped right to your door.
• Pet stores – Some pet stores sell live worms in the reptile/amphibian or aquarium sections for feeding frogs, lizards, turtles, and fish.
• Local worm farms – Search for worm growers in your state that may sell worms and offer pickup options.
• Backyard compost bins – Your own compost often contains worms like red wigglers that birds will gladly eat.

When buying worms, go for the freshest looking specimens possible. Avoid worms that are already dead or look slimy, discolored, or dried out. The worms should appear clean and plump.

How to Feed Birds Worms

Here are some tips for offering worms to your backyard birds:

• Place worms directly on a platform feeder, ground tray, or shallow dish. Scatter them apart so more birds can easily grab them.
• Sink worms into a hanging fruit basket with holes for drainage. The swinging movement will catch birds’ attention.
• Bury worms partially in the ground around low shrubs or under feeders. Many birds scratch and forage for buried treats.
• Mix a few worms into existing seeds in feeders or trays. The smell of worms will entice seed-eating birds to stop by.
• Add worms to a suet feeder cage. Birds will poke their heads in to snatch the protein-packed worms.

Offer worms first thing in the morning when birds are most actively searching for food. Provide worms year round but increase amounts during spring and fall migration seasons when energy needs peak.

How Many Worms to Feed Birds

Start by offering just a small handful of worms, around 1-2 dozen. Gauge how quickly the birds eat them, then adjust amounts accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to provide enough worms so that some remain about 15-30 minutes after putting them out.

Aim to offer worms at least a couple times per week. During peak feeding seasons like spring and fall migrations, you can provide worms daily or multiple times a day. Just be sure to remove any uneaten worms by the end of the day.

Here are some estimates for how many worms to put out for different numbers of birds visiting your yard:

Benefits for Your Yard

In addition to providing birds with natural food, feeding worms can also benefit your yard and garden areas. Birds who fill up on protein-packed worms are less likely to scavenge for seed from your flower beds or vegetable garden. The holes created by foraging birds also help to aerate and mix the soil.

Birds attracted to worms may also consume other lawn and garden pests like slugs, snails, beetles and insect larvae as they search around your yard. And bird droppings (one downside of feeding birds) act as a natural fertilizer that provides nitrogen and phosphorus for plants.

Precautions When Handling Worms

When buying and handling live worms, keep these safety guidelines in mind:

• Store worms in the refrigerator in their original containers until ready to use. This keeps them contained and reduces their activity level.
• Rinse off worms before feeding to remove any lingering soil or compost residue.
• Supervise children closely when handling worms and do not allow worms to be thrown.
• Use gloves or tongs if you prefer not to touch worms with bare hands.
• Wash your hands immediately after contact with worms or worm containers.
• Discard any dead, dried out, or questionable looking worms.

Storing Leftover Worms

For any worms the birds don’t consume in a day, you’ll need to store them for future use. Here are some tips:

• Keep worms loosely covered in a plastic or glass container with small air holes.
• Line the container with damp newspaper, coconut fiber, or torn paper towels.
• Mist the bedding lightly to maintain moisture but avoid soaking the worms.
• Keep container refrigerated between 40-55°F. This reduces worm activity and food needs.
• Rinse out and replace bedding as needed if it becomes smelly.
• Most worms can be stored this way for 2-3 weeks as long as they remain alive and healthy.

Disposing of Unused Worms

If you end up with excess worms that the birds did not eat, here are some options for disposal:

• Compost – Place leftover worms into an outdoor compost pile. They’ll help break down organic material.
• Soil – Bury worms around the roots of garden plants. Their tunnels aerate soil and they add nutrients as they decompose.
• Garden – Spread worms atop flower and vegetable garden beds. Birds may continue finding worms to eat here.
• Fish – Drop extra worms into a pond or aquarium with fish. Worms make a healthy treat for fish.
• Chickens – Scatter worms in a chicken coop or run. Chickens love snacking on worms and insects.

Never release worms into natural areas or woodlands, as they may disrupt native ecosystems. And avoid flushing worms down toilets, as this can clog drains. With a little planning, you can find uses for any extra worms the birds don’t eat up.

Conclusion

Live worms provide an excellent natural food source that attracts birds and benefits their nutrition. Nightcrawlers, mealworms, waxworms and other worm varieties can be easily purchased from bait shops, worm suppliers, pet stores and gardening centers. Start by feeding small amounts of worms in the morning and adjust quantities based on how quickly birds eat them. Scatter worms across feeders, ground trays and soil surfaces for birds to find. Handle worms safely by rinsing off, wearing gloves, and refrigerating leftovers. Finally, put any unused worms to good use in compost piles, gardens, fish habitats or chicken coops.