FINCHforum

Is it OK to buy maggots or meal worms from the bait store to feed to my birds?

If not, where do you buy them?

I haven't tried the maggots, mickp says you can get them from the bait store. For mealworms, there are quite a few places online. Some of them aren't taking on new customers, due to a problem they all had last year with bad bedding. I like the mini mealworms, so deal with companies that offer that size. Here are a few places, with no preference to any of them:

www.grubco.com

www.nyworms.com

www.rainbowmealworms.net

I'm sure others will have places they have used, as well.

Hi,

the only reason I'd avoid a bait store is because their insects/inverts are raised to be eaten by fish which are then (usually) killed for the fisher's consumption - the fish only eats one of the bugs so the bugs don't need to be fed a quality food, just something that will keep them alive long enough to become fish food.

Most stores that sell insects as feeder food for reptiles and other insectivorous pets "gut-load" their insects a higher quality feed, that way the insects themselves are of higher quality to your pets. More expensive than a bait shop, but also a higher quality.

-Julie

the.puppeteer wrote:Hi,

the only reason I'd avoid a bait store is because their insects/inverts are raised to be eaten by fish which are then (usually) killed for the fisher's consumption - the fish only eats one of the bugs so the bugs don't need to be fed a quality food, just something that will keep them alive long enough to become fish food.

Most stores that sell insects as feeder food for reptiles and other insectivorous pets "gut-load" their insects a higher quality feed, that way the insects themselves are of higher quality to your pets. More expensive than a bait shop, but also a higher quality.

-Julie

Thanks!

I bought mealworms from a pet store,but they didn't have maggots.
Our local bait shop didn't have maggots either.

Anyone have an online source for maggots?

Try this: http://www.oregonfeederinsects.com/Aviarysup.html

They sell maggots raised specifically for bird consumption.

Oops, I forgot that I did order some maggots quite some time ago. My birds did not eat them (think they were too big), so I wound up with a bird room full of flies!

Thanks for that link, jonvill, think I will try some of their products.