Bug Zapper....

[josh1810]

What are anyone's thoughts on using a bug zapper to collect feeder bugs/insects for waxbills?

No tweezers and no knocking over ant hills.

It's summer time and there is plenty of food for the taking. I have a wild caught pair of cordon bleus that i have set up to breed. They have made a nest and have been corting. In the wild they would have eaten these wild bugs and fes their young. What could be the harm?

Any comments on this, or has anyone done this crazy thing?

[Sally]

Sounds crazy, but what the heck, the bugs are not being poisoned, which would make them poison for the birds. If birds will eat freeze-dried bugs, why not try it?

[debbie276]

I think it's worth doing

[Atbird]

Bugs bbq

[josh1810]

I was thinking once collected maybe freeze them?

It would be easier to feed. Im glad ya'll don't think im crazy....

[Toddmin]

josh1810, that's a clever idea! Very resourceful! Let me know how it works!

[Derk]

If feeding 'wild-caught' bugs is a worming program an absolute must?

[vienneparis]

josh1810
I started using a bug zapper 2 weeks ago at the advice of a fellow fincher. It's easier than trying to raise mealworms or gathering termites. I put a tray underneath the zapper, turned it on for the night and usually got about 1/4 tray full of moths and other insects. The waxbills and canaries loved them. The bugs were devoured within an hour.

Let me know how your experiment with the bug zapper turns out.

[cindy]

Think I would skip feeding flies, flies are not real particular on what they land on and feed on.

Then there is a concern as Mary pointed about worms, also parasites. I did ask my avian vet about live food, insects and she said that using insects, especially from the wild you open your birds up to parasites. Not sure about the "fired" version. I could check into that for you. Bet that is one question not asked everyday!