Dried Calci Worms
vs dried mealworms.
Which is better?
Dried mealworms have been the default garden bird treat for decades. But the nutritional case for switching to dried black soldier fly larvae is hard to argue with. Here’s the honest comparison.
Shop dried Calci Worms from £6.99How they compare on what matters
| Dried Calci Worms (BSFL) | Dried mealworms (typical UK brand) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | Up to 50× more ✓ | Very low |
| Calcium-to-phosphorus balance | Calcium-positive ✓ | Heavily phosphorus-skewed |
| Safe for hedgehogs | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ No, risk of bone disease |
| Origin | 🇬🇧 British-grown ✓ | Typically imported |
| Feed substrate | Surplus British potatoes ✓ | Often unknown |
| How it’s dried | Gently drum dried, never microwaved ✓ | Varies by brand |
| Additives / fillers | None ✓ | Varies by brand |
| Carbon footprint | Low, grown here ✓ | Higher (long-haul shipping) |
Up to 50× more calcium. Why it matters for birds.
Dried black soldier fly larvae contain up to 50 times more calcium than dried mealworms. For wild birds in breeding season this matters enormously.
Female birds forming eggs need far more calcium than normal to build strong shells. Calcium-rich invertebrates like snails and earthworms are increasingly scarce in tidy, intensively managed gardens, and Dried Calci Worms help fill that gap.
Dried mealworms are high in protein and energy, which is useful, but their calcium content is very low. Fed as the main bird treat, they leave birds short of the one nutrient they need most in spring.
⚠️ Dried mealworms and hedgehogs
Hedgehog welfare groups advise against feeding dried mealworms to hedgehogs. Their poor calcium to phosphorus balance can contribute to metabolic bone disease when fed regularly.
Mealworms are a poor choice for hedgehogs. Calci Worms aren’t.
Dried mealworms contain far more phosphorus than calcium. Over time that can lead to metabolic bone disease in hedgehogs, where the body draws calcium from the skeleton, causing softened, deformed bones.
Dried Calci Worms are calcium-rich, so the balance runs the right way. If you currently put out dried mealworms for hedgehogs, switching is one of the most useful changes you can make. Read more on mealworms and hedgehogs →
Most dried mealworms are imported. Ours aren’t.
The UK dried mealworm market is dominated by imported product. Most bags on garden centre shelves contain larvae with little visibility on how they were raised, what they were fed, or what the shipping footprint looked like.
British Calci Co. dried Calci Worms are British-grown on surplus British potatoes and gently drum dried, never microwaved. Grown here. Not shipped here.
Any reason to stick with mealworms?
Dried mealworms have one genuine advantage: they are slightly higher in protein, a marginal plus for pure energy in very cold weather.
For almost everything else wildlife gardeners care about, including calcium, hedgehog safety, British origin and known feed, dried Calci Worms are the better choice.
Tip: in hot, dry weather, soak them in water for 15 to 30 minutes first. Here’s how →
Common questions
Are dried Calci Worms better than dried mealworms?
For calcium and hedgehog safety, yes. Dried black soldier fly larvae contain up to 50 times more calcium than dried mealworms and have a far healthier calcium to phosphorus balance. Mealworms are slightly higher in protein.
Can hedgehogs eat dried Calci Worms?
Yes. Unlike dried mealworms, which are not recommended for hedgehogs, dried black soldier fly larvae are a safe, calcium-rich treat when offered in moderation alongside fresh water.
Do I need to soak dried Calci Worms?
Not necessary for most garden birds, but soaking for 15 to 30 minutes in water softens them and helps in hot, dry weather or when feeding hedgehogs.
Are dried Calci Worms British?
Yes. British Calci Co. dried Calci Worms are British-grown on surplus British potatoes and gently drum dried, never microwaved.