You will find that bird feeders are great addition to your garden if you enjoy wildlife and seeing birds at close range. Bird feeders will bring a number of different local birds to your garden. You will also find that your feeder could attract birds from all around the country as they migrate from season to season.
When you set up a bird feeder you also have to be aware that squirrels and other creatures might come across it. They can cause havoc chewing through it and spreading the seeds all over the place. This will in turn attract other ground-feeding creatures. The best way to avoid this issue is to include a squirrel baffle which is placed below or above the feeder and this will stop that problem. Another thing you can do is place a dedicated squirrel feeder nearby to keep them away from the bird feeder.
Simply giving the feeder a shake before refilling it will help keep the food inside dry and fresh. Clumps of compacted seed attract moisture, and wet clumps of old seed invite mold and decay. If you spot any wet, compacted seeds, be sure to dump them out before refilling the feeder. Hulls should be cleaned off regularly to prevent the same risks of moisture and mold. Keeping a brush or spatula by the feeder makes for a very quick cleaning.
Another way you should keep it clean is to disinfect it once a week or so. You can simply use a solution of bleach to clean it with a scrubbing brush. You can make the concentration a quarter cup of bleach to 2 gallons of water. During the months of wet weather you should disinfect it more often and make sure that it is completely dry before you add more seeds, otherwise you will have a mold problem.
When putting out seed in persistent wet weather, use a feeder that has a cover or place only small amounts of seed in an exposed feeder. If providing sunflower hearts, avoid platforms and exposed areas as rain will cause this type of food to spoil. Using a hopper or a tube feeder can provide a reasonable measure of protection.
Suet, in turn, should be given to birds only in cool or cold weather. Hot weather can cause this type of food to be unhealthy and unsafe. Runny suet is known to stick to feathers and is difficult for the bird to clean.
Good bird feeder care begins with safe storage of bird food. The best practice for storage is to place all seed in dry, air-tight, and clean containers. Suet can be frozen until needed in feeders. Not only will these practices benefit birds, but they will also prevent rats and mice from being attracted to stored food.
In the event a dead bird is spotted near the bird feeder, refrain from providing seeds for several months. If a disease caused the bird's death, removing the food source will help prevent the spread to other birds. Animal or wildlife officials should be notified of any dead or diseased birds that are found.
If you want to enjoy watching birds from the comfort of your home, then take care to maintain your bird feeder and take measures to eliminate rodents and prevent diseases.
Author Resource:-
Robert Mann is an avid hiker who has observed birds on four continents. He provides the latest birdfeeders and birdhouses at his online store located at http://www.BirdhouseBirdFeeder.com.
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