How to Make a Mealworm Feeder

Mealworms are a good food choice for insectivorous songbirds, such as bluebirds. Typically you feed mealworms to the birds while they are alive, so an effective mealworm feeder contains the mealworms as you wait to feed them to the birds. Otherwise, they will crawl away. You can purchase mealworms at bait stores, pet stores that sell reptiles, or in bulk online. By using this easy-to-make feeder, you can keep your feathered friends coming back for more.

Things You'll Need

  • 4" diameter thin wall PVC pipe
  • Hacksaw
  • 2 x PVC endcaps
  • Electric drill
  • Doorknob cutter or Forschner bit
  • Plastic bucket top
  • Drawer handle with hardware
  • Pen
  • Drill bit
  • Screwdriver
  • 5.5 ounce can
  • Hook-and-loop fastener strip
  • Spray paint
  • Wire
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a 7 to 8 inch length of PVC pipe using a hacksaw. If you buy the pipe at a hardware store, have an employee cut it for you.

    • 2

      Drill two holes in the center of the pipe on either side, using an electric drill equipped with a doorknob cutter or Forschner bit. The holes will act as entry points for the birds.

    • 3

      Place the endcaps on the pipe. Do not glue the endcaps on; you want them removable for cleaning.

    • 4

      Place the drawer handle on top of the bucket lid and mark the location of the holes, using a pen.

    • 5

      Place the bucket lid on top of the PVC pipe with the endcap. Drill through the plastic lid and endcap using a drill bit sized for the screws that come with the drawer handle.

    • 6

      Place the drawer handle over the holes, then sink the screws with a screwdriver.

    • 7

      Drill several holes in the bottom of the small can, in order to let water escape. Use the same size drill bit.

    • 8

      Apply one hook-and-loop piece to the bottom of the can, and the other to the top of the plastic lid. This will give birds who would rather sit on top of the feeder a chance to eat out of the can.

    • 9

      Spray paint the feeder. When the paint dries, hang the feeder from a tree or hook, using a length of wire.