Are Mealworms Bad for Hedgehogs?
Yes, and the reason matters for anyone who puts food out for garden hedgehogs. Dried mealworms have a mineral balance that can cause serious, preventable harm to hedgehogs when fed regularly. Here’s what happens, why, and what to feed instead.
⚠️ Important for hedgehog feeders: the British Hedgehog Preservation Society advises against feeding dried mealworms to hedgehogs.
Why dried mealworms are harmful to hedgehogs
The problem is mineral imbalance. Dried mealworms contain far more phosphorus than calcium. For a hedgehog, that is a problem.
When a hedgehog eats food that is heavily phosphorus-loaded, the body can draw calcium from its own skeleton to compensate. Over time this can lead to metabolic bone disease (MBD): bones soften and become fragile, and the animal can develop deformities and pain.
The cruel part is that hedgehogs love mealworms. They eat them eagerly, and there is no obvious sign of harm until the damage is done.
What to feed hedgehogs instead of mealworms
A safer treat is dried calciworms, the dried larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens). They are naturally rich in calcium, so the balance runs the right way, and hedgehogs that like mealworms usually take to them readily. Whatever you offer, a proper hedgehog food should remain the main part of the diet.
At a glance: dried calciworms are calcium-rich and suited to regular treat feeding. Dried mealworms are very low in calcium and not recommended for hedgehogs.
How to feed calciworms to hedgehogs
- How much: about a tablespoon, a few times a week, alongside a proper hedgehog food. They are a supplement, not a staple.
- Soak first: soaking in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes softens them and adds moisture, which helps in dry weather. Here’s how →
- Feeder placement: a feeding station, such as an upturned box with a 13cm entry hole, keeps food dry and excludes cats and foxes.
- Always provide fresh water in a shallow dish.
- When: put food out at dusk and remove leftovers by morning.
Frequently asked questions
Are mealworms bad for hedgehogs?
Dried mealworms are not recommended for hedgehogs. Their phosphorus content is far higher than their calcium, which can contribute to metabolic bone disease when fed regularly. Dried calciworms (black soldier fly larvae) are a calcium-rich alternative.
Can hedgehogs eat dried mealworms at all?
They will eat them, but feeding them regularly is not advised because of the poor calcium to phosphorus balance. There is no reason to offer them when a calcium-rich alternative exists.
What about live mealworms?
Live mealworms have the same mineral imbalance, so the same advice applies. Avoid regular feeding of any form of mealworm.
Are calciworms and calci worms the same thing?
Yes. Both are names for dried black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens), just written differently.
Are Syntects calciworms British-grown?
Yes. British Calci Co. dried calciworms are British-grown on surplus British potatoes and gently drum dried. Grown here. Not shipped here.
Related: Calci Worms vs mealworms · Dried Calci Worms for wild birds · How to soak them