How to Attract Robins to Your Garden with Mealworms
Few garden visitors are as cheerful as the robin. With its bright red breast and bold, curious nature, it is one of the best-loved birds in Britain, and it often seems happy to keep the gardener company. If you would love to see more of them, the good news is that a few simple changes can make your garden far more inviting. Here is how to attract robins to your garden, with a little help from mealworms.
Why robins love mealworms
Robins naturally feed on insects, worms and other small creatures they find on the ground. That is why they so often appear when you are digging, waiting to see what you turn up. Mealworms are a natural fit for their diet, and dried mealworms are a favourite with many garden birds, robins included.
Our dried mealworms are a natural source of protein and omega oils, which makes them a valuable addition to your garden feeding, particularly at times of year when natural food is scarce.
Where robins like to feed
Unlike tits and finches, which happily cling to hanging feeders, robins prefer to feed on flat surfaces. They are most at home on the ground, on a low bird table or on a ground tray. A few ideas:
- Ground trays: a simple mesh or plastic tray placed on the lawn or a border suits robins well.
- Bird tables: a low table with a lip around the edge keeps mealworms from rolling off.
- Dish feeders: a small open dish, sometimes fitted with a cage that lets small birds in, keeps mealworms in one place.
Place your feeding spot near some cover, such as a hedge, shrub or climber, so the robin can watch from safety before hopping down. Keep it away from places where cats can lie in wait.
How to offer mealworms
Start with a small handful and put it out at roughly the same time each day. Robins are creatures of habit, and a regular routine helps them learn when and where food will appear. Offer small amounts, so the mealworms are eaten within a day, then top up as needed.
You can serve dried mealworms straight from the bag, or soak them in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes first. Soaked mealworms are softer and add moisture, which is especially useful in hot, dry weather and in the breeding season. You will find more detail in our How to Feed guide.
What else to offer alongside mealworms
Mealworms work beautifully as part of a varied menu. Robins will also take soft foods such as suet pellets, grated mild cheese in small amounts, crushed peanuts from a ground tray, soaked sultanas and fruit such as halved apples in winter. Offering a mix of foods on a table or tray encourages a wider range of birds, and means there is something tempting whatever the weather. Simply sprinkle a few mealworms over the top to catch a robin’s eye.
The best times of year to feed robins
Winter
Robins stay with us all year, and many will sing through the winter months, defending their patch of garden. Cold snaps and frozen ground make worms and insects much harder to find, so a reliable supply of mealworms can be a real help.
Spring and summer
During the nesting season, robins are busy feeding hungry chicks. Many gardeners notice parent birds collecting mealworms and flying straight back to the nest. Soaked mealworms are a good choice at this time of year.
Autumn
As the days shorten, robins establish their winter territories. Keeping your feeding spot stocked helps make your garden one they want to call home.
Make your garden robin-friendly
Food is only one part of the picture. Robins also look for:
- Cover: dense shrubs, hedges and climbers such as ivy or honeysuckle give shelter and safe places to perch.
- Nesting spots: robins like sheltered nooks. An open-fronted nest box tucked into a climber or hedge, out of direct sun and away from feeders, may tempt a pair to stay.
- A little untidiness: a pile of leaves, a log or two and a patch of soil left undisturbed will encourage the insects robins find for themselves.
- Fresh water: a shallow bird bath for drinking and bathing is welcome all year. Keep it clean and check it in frosty weather.
Keep things clean and safe
Good hygiene helps keep garden birds healthy. Clean tables, trays and dishes regularly with hot soapy water, rinse and dry them, and clear away uneaten food. Moving ground trays now and then keeps the area underneath fresh. Wear gloves when cleaning and wash your hands afterwards.
Be patient and enjoy the magic
It can take a little time for a robin to discover a new food source, so do not be disheartened if nothing happens straight away. Keep offering small amounts in the same spot, and sooner or later you are likely to spot that familiar red breast. Some robins become remarkably confident, and with time and patience a few gardeners even find a robin bold enough to come close while they work. Sit quietly nearby, move slowly, and let the bird set the pace.
Choosing your mealworms
Magic Mealworms dried mealworms come in 1 litre, 5 litre and 10 litre bags, with free UK delivery on every order. The 1 litre bag is a lovely way to start, while the larger bags suit gardens with regular visitors and give you a saving on the 10 litre size when you buy two or more. Keep the bag sealed and stored in a cool, dry place between feeds.
With the right food, a safe place to feed and a little patience, your garden could soon be a favourite haunt for your local robins.