Does bird seed go bad?
Yes, birdseed can rot, and birders who understand the different ways birdseed can spoil can be better prepared to offer their backyard birds healthy, nutritious food.
Bird seeds last for 6-12 months with proper storage. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place to preserve maximum freshness. Only store bird seeds outside during cold weather months. Change the bird seeds in your feeders every 5-7 days or sooner.
Of course, Brent Weinman, president of Sun Seed located in Bowling Green, Ohio, noted, “if you feed your birds 3-year-old seed, it's probably not going to hurt them, but the nutrient levels may have fallen below what our guarantee is.”
Birdseed can rot, and there are a few telltale signs to look for when determining whether your birdseed is still good. Immediately discard any spoiled birdseed, and definitely don't give it to the birds!
Seed should be stored in a cool, dry place out of reach of marauders such as squirrels, rodents or raccoons. If possible, store seed in a locking shed or garage, but in a convenient location where it is easy to refill feeders.
Always store your bird seed in a cool and dry location outside of your home. Store bird seed in rodent and insect-proof containers. Never mix old seed with new seed. During periods of warm weather, store only the amount of seed that your birds can consume over a two-week period.
There are many possible reasons birds aren't coming to your feeder. Birds don't come to your bird feeder because there is something wrong with your bird food, the feeder, the placement of feeders, the landscaping and safety of your yard, or the time of year.
Change the seed in a dry seed feeder every 5-7 days to avoid mold, bacteria, or bugs in the feeders and always wash your hands after handling bird supplies and feeders.
According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the reason birds haven't been coming to feeders is because of the overabundance of natural foods out in the environment. This fall has been unseasonably warm and dry.
Sunflower seeds usually come with a shelf life of about a year, and as long as the bag is unopened, they easily keep for a few months past the printed date. What is this? Once open, sunflower seeds retain quality for about six months if you leave them at room temperature or even up to a year if you refrigerate them.
What seeds are bad for birds?
In general, mixtures that contain red millet, oats, and other “fillers” are not attractive to most birds and can lead to a lot of waste as the birds sort through the mix. Here's our quick guide to seed types, including: Sunflower. Safflower.
Bird feeders in your yard are a common source of attraction for mice, says Megan Cavanaugh, a pest control expert and co-owner of the pest control company Done Right Pest Solutions in Minnesota. "Nuts and seeds are a favorite food of mice," she explains.
Typically, moths found in birdseed are Indian meal moths. Adult moths lay microscopic eggs in the seed, which hatch into larvae. The larvae are 1/4 inch, cream-colored wormlike creatures with brown heads. They feed on the seeds and grains in the bird food.
Even birdseed retailers recommend storing seed in the freezer for longer periods so it stays fresh. While yes, the seed is colder as soon as I put it out, it quickly thaws, even before the birds return for their next snack.
Change the seed in a dry seed feeder every 5-7 days to avoid mold, bacteria, or bugs in the feeders and always wash your hands after handling bird supplies and feeders.
What is this? Sunflower seeds usually come with a shelf life of about a year, and as long as the bag is unopened, they easily keep for a few months past the printed date. Once open, sunflower seeds retain quality for about six months if you leave them at room temperature or even up to a year if you refrigerate them.
Instead of leaving seeds in the bag they came in, store them in an airtight, covered container. Keep the containers in a cool, dry location, out of the sun and rain. This will ensure the moisture in the air will not get to your seeds, preventing them from getting moldy before you even fill your feeders.
If birdseed has been compromised through insect infestations or mildew, it must be disposed of. Throw out the seed in a bag or container out of reach of birds and other pests, and thoroughly wash, disinfect, and dry the storage container before refilling it with fresh seed.
