Have you recently noticed the abundance of birdlife in your backyard and considered feeding your feathered friends? If so, you’ll know that using birdseed is an effective way of attracting birds to your yard.
One of the essential aspects of feeding birds that you’ll need to consider is birdseed storage. Storing birdseed properly is not only necessary for the health of your backyard birds but also contributes to the enjoyment of birdwatching.
As bird enthusiasts and nature lovers, we are responsible for providing a consistent and healthy food source for our feathered friends. This comprehensive guide explores various aspects of birdseed storage, offering tips and insights to ensure the seed remains fresh, nutritious, and free from contaminants.
1. Choose the Correct Container
Selecting an appropriate container is the first step in practical birdseed storage. Opt for a sturdy, airtight container that keeps the birdseed fresh and protects it from pests.
Metal or plastic containers with secure lids are excellent choices as they protect the seed from moisture and unwanted visitors.
The container’s design should also be considered, and you’ll want to use a container with easy access for scooping out seeds while minimizing the risk of spilling the seeds outside the container.
2. Store the Birdseed in a Cool, Dry Place
Birds love fresh birdseed, so keeping your stored birdseed at the highest quality is essential. One of the most significant threats to the freshness of birdseed is moisture, which leads to mold growth.
Storing the birdseed in a cool, dry location is crucial to preventing moisture and the resulting mold growth on the birdseed. By keeping the birdseed in the correct location, you’ll maintain the integrity and nutrition of the birdseed.
Avoid placing containers in direct sunlight, as heat can also degrade the nutritional value of the seeds.
Good places to store containers with birdseed are garages and sheds with good ventilation and minimal to no direct sunlight.
Avoid storing the birdseed on the ground, as this can expose the seeds to moisture and dampness. Instead, place the containers on an elevated platform, such as a shelf.
3. Regularly Check for Mold or Spoilage
Regular inspection of stored birdseed is essential to catch any signs of mold or spoilage early on. Moldy seeds can harm birds and cause illness or death if eaten.
If you see that the seeds are discolored, have mold growth, or have an unpleasant smell, discard the affected seeds immediately.
Regular checks also allow you to monitor the overall condition of your storage container, ensuring that it remains clean and in good condition.
4. Rotate Seed Stock
Just like any other food product, birdseed has a limited shelf life. Practicing a “first in, first out” approach by using older seeds before refilling with new seeds ensures that older seeds are used before fresh seeds.
This rotation system helps maintain the quality of the seed and prevents the accumulation of stale birdseed in your storage container.
5. Avoid Mixing Old and New Seeds
If you need to add more birdseed to your storage container, avoid combining the new and old seeds. Combining seeds of different ages may decrease the overall freshness of your seed supply or introduce contaminants.
Instead, use all the existing seeds before introducing a new batch, maintaining a consistent and high-quality food source for your backyard visitors.
6. Keep the Birdseed Pest-Free
Birdseed is an attractive food source for more than just birds. Pests like insects and rodents also feed on birdseed and are a continuous threat to stored birdseed. For that reason, effective pest management is crucial.
Storing containers on raised platforms like shelves discourages pests like rodents that live on the ground from getting to your birdseed stock.
Additionally, consider using deterrents such as bay leaves and cedar blocks in the storage area.
Regular cleaning of the storage space and container also helps prevent the buildup of residues that might attract unwanted visitors.
7. Purchase Birdseed in Moderation
While buying birdseed in bulk can be cost-effective, only purchasing the amount you use within a few months is the better choice when it comes to providing fresh seed and storage.
The shelf life of birdseed varies depending on the type of seed and storage conditions, but a general guideline is to aim to buy three to six months’ worth of seed at one time.
By purchasing in moderation, you reduce the risk of seed spoilage and ensure that your backyard visitors receive consistently fresh and nutritious seeds.
8. Understand Bird Diets & Birdseed Varieties
There is a wide variety of seed-eating birds in the world, and they all have unique dietary preferences. Understanding which species occur where you live and their dietary preferences can guide your birdseed choices.
Some birds prefer sunflower seeds, while others may favor millet, peanuts, or thistle. By offering a diverse array of seed types, you have a better chance of attracting a range of local bird species to your backyard.
However, it’s essential to store each type of seed separately to prevent cross-contamination and meet each bird species’ specific needs.
9. Consider Seasonal Changes
Individual bird foraging habits can change with the seasons, influencing your birdseed storage practices. In colder months, birds require additional energy, making high-fat seeds like sunflower seeds and suet particularly valuable to them.
Additionally, try to provide the birds with extra high-energy seeds during the colder months since there isn’t usually as much natural food available for them.
Conversely, during warmer months, a good idea is to use a mix of seeds and fruits to provide a more balanced diet.
For the reasons above, it’s advised to adjust your birdseed storage and purchase quantities accordingly to cater to the seasons and the specific needs of the birds throughout the year.
10. Implement a Cleaning Routine
This point is a vital part of storing birdseed. Regular cleaning of your storage containers and bird feeders is essential for maintaining a hygienic environment and keeping the quality of the seeds high.
Dirty or moldy storage containers can transmit diseases to birds when the seeds are eaten, so it’s best to be diligent in cleaning and disinfecting the containers.
Additionally, sweep or vacuum the storage area to remove spilled seeds or debris that could attract pests.
11. DIY Birdseed Mixes
Making your own birdseed mixes is an excellent idea if you only want to provide the birds in your area with their favorite seeds.
It’s a good idea to experiment with different seed combinations to see which species prefer each different combination.
When storing DIY mixes, ensure the container is well-sealed to maintain freshness.
Another option is to include a variety of seeds to attract a diverse range of birds.
Whether you choose to tailor the seeds you use to your birds’ preferences or put out a variety to attract as many species as possible, DIY bird seed mixes are an excellent way to go.
Conclusion
Proper birdseed storage is a simple yet fundamental aspect of responsible bird feeding. By following these comprehensive tips, you can create an optimal environment for storing birdseed, ensuring its freshness, nutritional value, and appeal to the bird species that visit your yard.
By storing your birdseed efficiently and cleanly, you’ll maintain a healthy food source for the birds, and your yard will become an inviting bird haven.
Whether you’re just starting to enjoy the beauty of backyard birding or you’re an experienced birdwatcher, the experience of having a yard full of birds is always delightful.
