Robins are a welcome sight in gardens, and there is a simple, inexpensive way to attract them: mealworms. A 60g packet of dried mealworms costs just £1 at Poundland, while a one kg packet is available from The Range for £7.99.
Why Mealworms Attract Robins
The RSPB has urged gardeners to feed birds seasonally and safely to reduce the spread of disease and support the birds. According to the RSPB, mealworms are especially popular with robins and blue tits, and may also attract other insect-eating birds such as pied wagtails.
Bird feeders are a good solution for feeding small birds, as they can help prevent the spread of disease. To keep birds healthy, the RSPB advises adjusting the quantity of food given to demand and never allowing uneaten foods to build up. Food in feeders should be eaten within one to two days, and suet balls within seven days. When refilling, remove any old food first.
Safe Feeding Practices
Feeders should be placed somewhere quiet, safe and sheltered from harsh winds. They also need to be cleaned every time fresh food is put out. Scrub feeders with a mild disinfectant weekly and move them around the garden to prevent droppings from building up underneath and keep the area clean.
Water containers should be rinsed out daily and refilled with fresh tap water, disinfected weekly, and allowed to dry before refilling. If a sick bird is found on a feeder, stop feeding, clean the feeders, and store them away from the garden. Resume feeding after four weeks, but stop again if more sick birds appear. To prevent infections, wear gloves and thoroughly wash hands after cleaning bird baths and feeders.
