Two Ways to Feed Your Backyard Visitors

If you enjoy watching birds, squirrels, and other wildlife in your yard, choosing the right food can make a big difference. Two popular options are a wildlife blend and insect suet. Each serves a different purpose and attracts a different crowd. Here’s how Chuckanut Wildlife Blend 10 LB and Pine Tree Farms NeverMelt Insect Suet 13 OZ compare, so you can decide which one—or both—fits your feeding goals.

Key Facts at a Glance

  • Chuckanut Wildlife Blend 10 LB: Chuckanut Wildlife Blend 10 LB combines pumpkin seeds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and corn. This mix appeals to a wide range of backyard animals—including squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, and jays—not just birds.

    Chuckanut Wildlife Blend 10 LB

    Chuckanut Wildlife Blend 10 LB

  • Pine Tree Farms NeverMelt Insect Suet 13 OZ: Pine Tree Farms NeverMelt Insect Suet 13 OZ contains peanuts, corn, rendered beef suet, and dried mealworms. The insect protein and high-energy suet formula attract insect-eating birds like woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees.

    Pine Tree Farms NeverMelt Insect Suet 13 OZ

    Pine Tree Farms NeverMelt Insect Suet 13 OZ

  • Pine Tree Farms NeverMelt Insect Suet 13 OZ: NeverMelt suet withstands temperatures over 120°F and is best for spring/summer feeding and warm climates. Unlike standard suet, this formula won’t melt or crumble in hot weather, making it a reliable choice for warmer months.

  • Chuckanut Wildlife Blend 10 LB: Chuckanut Wildlife Blend is compatible with Chuckanut Squirrel Feeder, Hopper, Chalet, and Bowl feeders. You can use it in multiple feeder types, making it easy to serve without buying specialized equipment.

Wildlife Blend vs Suet: What Each Attracts

The main difference between these two products is the type of wildlife they draw. Chuckanut Wildlife Blend is a seed-and-nut mix designed for a broad audience: squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, Blue Jays, and Steller’s Jays. It’s a gourmet blend that works well in hopper, bowl, and platform feeders.

Pine Tree Farms NeverMelt Insect Suet targets insect-eating birds. The dried mealworms and rendered beef suet provide high-energy nutrition that woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, and wrens love. It’s less likely to attract mammals, so if you want to focus on birds, suet is a better bet.

  • Chuckanut Wildlife Blend: Attracts squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, Blue Jays, Steller’s Jays, and other seed-eating birds. Works in hopper, chalet, bowl, and squirrel feeders.
  • Pine Tree Farms NeverMelt Insect Suet: Attracts insect-eating birds such as woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, and wrens. Best served in a suet feeder or cage.

Seasonal Use and Storage

NeverMelt suet is specifically formulated for warm weather—it won’t melt or crumble even above 120°F. That makes it ideal for summer feeding or for customers in hot climates. The wildlife blend is not heat-sensitive in the same way, but it should be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent spoilage.

If you feed year-round, you could offer the wildlife blend in cooler months and switch to NeverMelt suet during hot weather to keep high-energy options available without mess.

What the Catalog Doesn’t Tell You

Both products are made in facilities that handle common allergens like tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soy, milk, eggs, fish, and shellfish. While neither product intentionally contains these allergens, cross-contamination is possible. If you have concerns about allergies for pets or family members, keep that in mind.

The wildlife blend is available for local pickup at select Zamzows centers in Boise, Meridian, and Nampa, as well as nationwide delivery. The suet’s ordering options are not specified in the catalog, so check availability when you’re ready to buy.

Which Should You Choose?

Your choice depends on what you want to see in your yard. If you enjoy a lively mix of birds and small mammals, Chuckanut Wildlife Blend is a great all-around option. If you’d rather focus on insect-eating birds, especially during warm months, Pine Tree Farms NeverMelt Insect Suet is the better pick. Many backyard feeders use both to attract the widest variety of wildlife.