Foods will generally be fine for at least 3-4 months if
stored properly. All foods should be stored in a cool, dry place –during the
fall and winter, the garage is often the best place. WildBirds Unlimited has closed steel
containers that work well to protect seed from unwanted seed thieves or bad
weather. Don’t just dump new seed on top of old.
It’s best to keep the seed in its original bag to make sure the older seed is
used before you open a newer bag.
What's actually more important is how long you let food
remain in feeders. In the rainy fall, at the very least, feeders can get
clogged with wet seed and at worse the seed could be moldy
and cause the birds sickness. So, in between rain drops, take a quick peek at
your feeders, especially your goldfinch feeders, and toss out any moldy seed,
suet,
fruit,
or nectar,
and make sure your feeders
are clean.
Remember, birds give us a lot of pleasure as we watch them
eat, so let’s provide them a safe and clean feeding station at all times. Feeders should also be cleaned at least once a month, year
round. Wild Birds Unlimited - East
Lansing and Okemos- will clean your feeder for $5.00. Or you can
purchase professional cleaners like Scoot or Poop-Off
at Wild Birds Unlimited, or use a mild one part vinegar to nine parts water solution
to clean all of your feeders. Disassemble feeders and immerse them completely
for three minutes. Scrub with brushes (we have these too), rinse thoroughly,
and let air dry.
When I choose a new
feeder I always look for something easy to clean and fill. If you keep these
measures in mind, you can keep this hobby enjoyable for your family and safe
for your birds. Bon appetite!
You’ve got me thinking. Thank you for your honest answers. I
guess I can make a couple trips into Lansing
for your seed. My birds keep me happy, so I guess the least I can do is keep
them happy. I love your blog and now your store. We come in every time we make
a trip to Lansing.
It was like having a bird catalog come alive the fist time we came in. Have a
good day!
Thank you. I look forward to seeing you soon. Sarah
Related articles:
What is No-Mess Bird Seed?: http://bit.ly/pl516I
What birds like peanuts?: http://bit.ly/qKbHT0
Seed Storage Cans and WBU Seed Scoops: http://bit.ly/q6th9R
Do I need to clean my bird feeder?: http://bit.ly/nYKz40
The best bird feeders at Wild Birds Unlimited: http://bit.ly/pv36W6
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ReplyDeleteI recently went to the WBU nature shop on Jekyll island in GA. My wooden feeders had gotten so moldy & were difficult to clean. I was even suffering a decrease in the numbers & kinds of birds that came to my backyard. I replaced them with your recycled plastic feeders. They are so easy to clean & maintain. The birds are now coming back. What a great birthday present!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment. I also recommend highly the recycled plastic feeders! Almost all the hopper feeders we sell are now made from the recycled plastic. Sarah
ReplyDelete