unpacking mealworms

[storye_book]

Advice please?

I've just received a bag of mealworms from cj, and i've been unpacking them into my usual lidded seed tray: no probs with the seed tray - they do fine there.

However I used to get them from a local supplier, who gave them an egg box to crawl about on in the bag. This new (to me) supplier puts screwed-up newspaper in the bag - and there is just no way to straighten out the paper to get the worms out, without them falling all over the floor and everywhere.

I'm don't mind handling them, but can anyone recommend an elegant way of getting them out of the paper without losing so many on the floor?

cheers.

[Solomon]

Put everything into a bin bag (make sure it has no holes in the bottom). Life the screwed up paper abit at a time, shake it thoroughly, and thentear off the bit with no worms on it. Rinse and repeat.

[Solomon]

Wickes sell what they call "rubble sacks" - like binbags, only they are sealed in one stroke across the bottom. A pack of 10 only costs a few quid, and they are transparent too, so you can see the worms.

Does anyone know if it's safe to put pupated mealworms out for the birds? A few (5ish) of mine have pupated n the dish, and I don't want the birds eating them if it's not safe.

[Lisa]

Hi Solomon - it is totally safe to feed pupated mealworms and beetles although I'm afraid I couldnt tell you if the birds will eat them!

[Janet]

.......supplier puts screwed-up newspaper in the bag - and there is just no way to straighten out the paper to get the worms out, without them falling all over the floor and everywhere.......


LOL!! You reminded me of when I bought a sack full from CJs in the spring. I don’t mind such things either and handling them isn’t a problem but I’ll never forget the squirming mass when I opened the sack and the sound of them all on the newspaper squirming around!! The smell took some getting used to too.

I recall having the exact same dilema on how to make sure they all made it to the tubs. I found (as you say) a large bucket to be the answer. I did mine indoors(!) but would definitely suggest the garden as a better place! At least any escapees can be eaten.

The Sparrows went mad for mine, Starlings too. Maybe a Blackbird was your mystery diner? I imagine they’d get through quite a lot.