Keeping Bird Food Fresh and Healthy for the Birds

Fresh, top quality bird food is the foundation for successful backyard bird feeding. This includes offering foods like WBU seed blends, seed characters, seed cylinders, suet, suet cylinders, Bark Butter® products and more. It is important to keep in mind how to properly store foods to maintain freshness and have the best experience. Under normal storage and use conditions, seed and suet products will stay fresh and healthy for birds until they are completely consumed. However, very hot weather, unusually wet or humid conditions, or periods of slow bird activity can potentially cause bird food to deteriorate or spoil. The following will help ensure that bird food remains healthy and nutritious.

General

• Always use high-quality foods.
• Never blend old seed with new seed in storage containers.

Storage

• Store bird food in a cool and dry location.
• Store in rodent- and insectproof containers,
• lf food containers are kept outdoors, secure the lids so animals cannot get in and contaminate the seed.

Usage 

• Keep bird feeders filled with a one or two day supply of food to ensure it is eaten quickly and stays fresh.
• During periods of warm weather, store no more than a two week supply of seed at a time. Four weeks in cool weather.

Cleaning

• Discard moldy, rancid or foulsmelling food, because it can be a health hazard to birds.
• Clean and disinfect all feeders and storage containers that have been in contact with spoiled foods. A 10 % bleach solution (9 parts water, 1 part bleach) is recommended.

A Note About Bugs

Any food can become infested with grain moths, beetles and weevils. While this is not a preferable situation, it does not mean the food is unfit for use. ln fact, the insects will be eagerly consumed by many of the birds at your feeders.

Should your food become infested, be sure to store it outdoors; not inside your house or attached garage. lf you wish to eliminate the bugs in your remaining food, place it in a freezer for five days. For ease of use, divide your food into smaller baggies and remove them from the freezer the day before you intend to use it.

Thoroughly clean your storage containers before refilling with fresh food.