Bird Seed Storage
By Myrna Pearman, Mother Nature’s Naturalist and Backyard Birding Expert
With the heavy rains that mark winter’s onset on the West Coast, keeping bird seed dry can be a challenge. Wet and moldy seeds are not healthy for the birds, so keeping them dry, both in storage and when in bird feeders, is important.
The ideal place to store seeds is in a garage or shed, protected from the elements and rodents. If an outbuilding is rodent-free, bags can simply be opened for use. If rodents are an issue, however, rodent-proof containers will be needed.
Although there are several commercial bird seed storage containers on the market, I have found that the ideal outdoor storage containers are garbage cans. Good quality plastic bins (which have well-secured lids) work well if rodents and high winds aren’t an issue. Otherwise, metal cans should be used. Be sure to check the can handles and choose only a style with a secure locking mechanism and a waterproof lid.
I use two metal garbage cans: a large one that I dump 40-lb bags of sunflower seeds directly into and a smaller one to hold several small bags of various Mother Nature’s blends.
If storing the seeds outside, choose a location that is easy to access, and place the cans in a shady spot so the contents don’t overheat during hot/sunny weather.
It is especially important during the rainy fall and winter season to use only bird feeders which will keep the seeds as dry as possible. Avoid tray and fly-through feeders. Instead, use tube and hopper feeders that come with large roofs, protected portals and drain holes in the bottom tray. Additional rainproofing can be facilitated by adding a baffle (an upturned heavy plastic bowl will work well) to the top of the feeder.
Serve smaller quantities at a time during the rainy season and if the bottom seeds get soggy, empty the feeder completely before refilling. Unless they are moldy, wet seeds can be scattered on the ground for ground-feeding species. Rake up the uneaten seeds on a regular basis.
While the fall and winter present some challenges to backyard bird enthusiasts, a few simple techniques will keep both you and the birds happy until spring arrives again.
Have more questions? Visit your local Buckerfield's and we'll be happy to help!
