Putting out bird feeders is a great way to attract more birds to your yard and garden in winter. There are some steps you need to take to ensure that the bird seed you are storing stays fresh and safe for the birds to eat, and to make sure your bird-seed supply area stays neat and well stocked.
First, when purchasing seed for birds, avoid bird seed in burlap bags. Insects can easily get through the burlap and infest the bird seed. Mice and chipmunks and other rodents like to eat bird seed. Avoid buying bags that have obvious holes or have been patched. This means that somewhere along the supply chain, rodents may have gotten in.
At home, keep in mind that open bags of bird seed will attract rodents. When you open a bag, transfer its contents into a heavy-duty plastic bin with a locking lid. A metal can with a tight lid will also work to store your bird seed. To store smaller quantities of specialty seed, such as niger, reuse plastic milk or soda bottles. Wash them first, then fill them with the bird seed. Make sure to cap them. The seed is easy to pour into the bird feeder directly from the milk or soda bottle.
Promptly sweep up any spilled bird seed in your storage area to avoid attracting rodents.
Suet cakes provide birds with important dietary elements, particularly fat and protein, in winter. If you stock up on suet, store extra cakes in a freezer until it is time to refill the suet feeder.
