Hey, Looks like you are enjoying your new camera and your bluebirds. I was wondering do you order your mealworms or get them locally? I live In Horry County and have gotten them from Wild birds unlimited, but they were really expensive. I have only offered them during nesting season because of the expense. It would be nice to offer them year round to see them more often. Also could you post a picture of your feeder? Thanks, Renee

Hello renee1958

I raise my own meal worms. In April of 07 I bought 500 mealworms.
Then put a 100 of them in the ref - took them out every so often to clean and feed & changed the bedding.
Today I have 3 plastic containers 15"x9"x5" full of ¾ - 1 inch meal worms.
It is a "dusty" job changing the bedding.
I try to do this outside when the weather is nice. I sift out the bedding for the beetles about every 3 weeks
and then pour the bedding in a plastic container (15"x9"x5") the eggs from the beetles are in the bedding.
If you have any extra time you could start your own..
It is not hard to do and it is interesting. The warmer weather will be here soon so the mealworm cycles will be faster.

Now as far as my bird feeder!! It was a Thistle Selective Feeder.
The man at the bird store said he had one left but the feeder part was broken.
My bluebirds never eat out of a tube feeder so I did not really need that part -- I got it for less than half price.
When I got home I just took out the tube and cut the
cage in half and turned it upside down so the bottom is now the top cover, put a small bowl in it for the worms.
The protected bluebird feeder with the plastic sides that
you see in the picture has mealworms in it also. The blues
never go in it. The only bird to use it are the Carolina Wrens, they have learned how to climb into the opening and no other birds bother them...

I am not sure where in Horry County you are, but on rt #544 where the "LOWES FOOD STORE" is, in that small plaza is a place called "Backyard Habitat".I know she has mealworms(last time I was there, 2 weeks ago they cost $9.00 for 500)I don't know if she sells in bulk.
You could call to see if she does..

Have A Nice Day
Linesman

Here is a link that might be useful: Backyard Habitat

I see now from your picture that its 2 different feeders. It looked like just one from the close up. I like the way you adapted the thistle feeder for the bluebirds, and the feeders are just sitting on your deck railing on a board right? I may try raising my own meal worms although I doubt its as easy as you say. By the way I live in Western Horry County (UCLA) but I work in Conway. I much prefer 544 to 501 if I go to Myrtle Beach. I know the plaza you mentioned. Thank you so much for the info I'll let you know how it goes. Renee