Friday, October 2, 2009

Bird Feeding Basics

Now is a good time to watch birds.  Many birds are migrating and might stop at your house looking for something to eat.  So keep the feeders going but keep in mind good bird feeding manners.  


Keep your feeders clean.  Use soap and water or a 10% bleach solution.  This helps prevent disease from spreading.


Keep the feeding area clean.  Hulls and uneaten feed can accumulate under feeders and attract rodents and other pests.  If you are plagued with mammal problems try removing the feeders at night when raccoons, deer and opossums are more likely to raid them—bears, too, in more wild areas.


Use fresh seed.  Do not feed moldy seed.


You should probably be wearing rubber gloves when cleaning feeders and birdbaths.


Birdbaths need weekly cleaning and refilling.  This prevents the spread of disease and keeps misquitoes from gaining a new breeding ground.  Wash with soap and water or a 10% bleach solution.  Rinse!!!


Feeders mounted on windows may increase the number of birds flying into the window.  The problem is worse in the spring when birds are defending all comers from their territories.  Limit the use of a window feeder at that time.

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