Check out these bird seed storage ideas to see what works best. Your bird food containers should also have lids on them to keep your bird feed fresh and prevent contamination. If I didnt use that much, Id choose a smaller size. Birdseed bulk can vary a bit, but I could fit at least fifty pounds of any of the types of seed I use in one of these containers and in some cases quite a bit more. Because these tins are on shelves, the side labels are easiest to see. I check my feeders each day, either by looking out my windows or doing a quick walk through the feeder area. With tight-fitting lids, these tins have a second life as storage for seed. Here is how I store my birdseed.
I also dont have to worry about seed getting excessively hot or it getting wet and then rotting before I can use it. You want to keep it clean and dry but also secure so other wildlife doesnt get into the seed.
Keep the seed in a cool and dry area to keep it freshest. Sharp unpleasant smells are a definite warning sign that your bird food should be discarded. Two started life as big holiday gift tins of popcorn and candy. The type you use will depend on how many bird feeders you use regularly. This metal can worked well as I tested it out, but I tend to buy extra seed in the heart of winter and also whenever the bird store has a 20% off sale. I also fill any feeders that need that type of seed. Larger than the small galvanized metal pails the store also carries, these size can should be able to store fifty-pounds of seed or a twenty-five pound bag of bulky peanuts in the shell. You can also buy special bird seed storage containers with a built-in moisture and pest proof seal. You can store bird feed indoors but it needs to be kept cool so make sure its away from radiators or warm pipes and isnt somewhere that is likely to get condensation or damp. I was looking for a good storage solution and this is it. Sunflower Hearts The Ultimate Bird Food? The better option is to pour the bird seed into an airtight container when you get home from the store. Its a bit startling to open a seed bin to have little mouse eyes staring up at you. I lined the bins up in a row and it was quick and easy to lift a lid and scoop out seed. While you might be tempted to just keep seed in the paper or plastic bags they came in, there can be problems with that, even if you are storing it inside away from damp and critters. Feed stores recommend that seeds can be frozen long-term to stay good longer if they have to. You can find many storage options for birdseed.
(I have used both.
Metal storage containers are a good choice if you worry about wildlife chewing holes in a container to get to the seed.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Smaller bird food storage containers are lighter and easier to move so are a good choice if you only store small amounts of bird feed or if you need to carry the container outside to your bird feeder, whereas larger containers are ideal for storing greater amounts of bird food. You can find suet cakes at your local hardware or feed store. I love watching the birds at home. And if I swapped out seed, it was easy to change the label. You can do it in a few minutes and then get back to watching the birds coming to eat at your feeders! Bird food containers come in all shapes and sizes and can be made of plastic or metal. You can also inspect your bird feed for telltale clues. My suggestion is either a metal or heavy plastic storage container. Using the right containers can make all of the difference. If your bird food has gone bad and you are reusing a container, its best to thoroughly wash and disinfect the container after disposing of the old feed before you refill it with fresh bird food. Choose small bird seed storage containers for one or two bird feeders. Mine carries small galvanized metal pails with lids that can securely store small amounts of seed. I can carry three of these filled jars in each hand outside without spilling seed. We are still not sure how they got into the house to begin with but they found the basement seed storage irresistible. Shes a proud Mommy to 2 shelter kitties. If you give a little thought to setting up a convenient and easy to use birdseed storage system, youll find that filling up the feeders doesnt have to be a chore. A cold area of your home or garage will work for large quantities. What a great, detailed post! Incorrectly stored bird food can lead to a several problems. Fat balls or suet for birds should be stored separately from other types of bird feed (such as seeds) as these have a shorter shelf life, especially in warm or damp weather. Because the big bins in the basement were lined up with the tops easiest to see, it made the most sense to put the labels on the lids. Ellen is a busy mom of a 22-year-old son and 27-year-old daughter. Labelling your bird food storage container is a great idea so you know what type of bird feed is inside, or if you store several different types of wild bird food, choose clear containers for storage so you can easily identify which is which. Using one of my trail mix jars to scoop seed into my kitchen storage tin, I fill the tin with as much seed as it will hold. And, it will keep other critters like mice out. If your birdseed isnt stored correctly, pests can easily find their way to your supply and help themselves. feeders. Nancie. When considering what is the best bird food storage container think about where youll keep it. Another problem with poor bird food storage is that your bird food may be exposed to damp or extreme temperatures and begin to go bad. So I decided to get three more galvanized metal cans, this time from the local home improvement store (Home Depot.) If you buy a large bag of seeds, you will want larger containers. (Also see Gwens comment below.) We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Thanks for sharing that. Because I store my birdseed inside, it reduces the chance of outdoor critters getting into it. I have not yet labeled the newer galvanized cans. (But stairs are good exercise right? Required fields are marked *. Then I slid my printed seed picture/name sheets into each pocket via its open top. (Note: Mice did recently find their way into our house. Its so relaxing to sit and watch them flit from one spot to another. Done! Musty odours suggest mould or mildew from damp seed. Backyard bird watching can be lots of fun.
), Sometimes moths hang out in seed bags, so storing them inside can bring moths inside. The best way to keep these seeds fresh is in the refrigerator or freezer. feeders easily enough. Now that Ive shared my bird seed storage ideas and tips with you, check out my post on how to make wild bird treats from birdseed. First, I learned the hard way that if other people dont know what Im storing in the low flat-topped plastic bins, they might think its ok to stack other things on top of them. There are many different types of storage containers for bird seed. What type of storage containers should you use to store birdseed? The bulk of my birdseed purchases go into larger storage containers in the basement.
How should you store birdseed for backyard birds? The plastic bags that bird seed comes in are not airtight. Yes, it can go bad if exposed to heat or sunlight for longer periods. Once I have everything filled, I take
And you want it to be convenient and easy to access.
. If you are storing it outside, look for galvanized metal that wont rust. If the container is damaged in any way (for example, its been chewed through) then its better to repair or replace it before filling it with new birdseed. Be sure to keep your metal storage containers somewhere where they wont rust. Then I recycle the paper seed bag. How to Choose Birdseed For Backyard Birds, Want to read more posts about birds? Seed pours out of these jars into most Store the seeds outdoors if you have cooler weather or if there is no area for the animals to get inside. Watertight lids are ideal as theyll protect birdseed from the elements if stored outside. never mix old and new seed together.). And second, if we go out of town, someone else might need to find the right type of seed. If you fill four or more feeders, metal storage containers will be more convenient. They are such a pain to get rid of! I dont have room to store all my bulk birdseed on the first floor, so some is stored in the kitchen and the rest downstairs in the basement. Basement seed storage will work for large containers. (I later purchased another of these for millet and one of the small pails for peanut hearts.(. Learn how your comment data is processed. Right now Im the only one filling the feeders so it isnt necessary. This can be dangerous and even fatal to birds that eat it.
Hi Gwen, Storing birdseed in your garage is a great way to keep the seed fresh and dry. Over time, the seed will go bad if its not kept in a cool, dry place.
Storing birdseed inside is the most convenient option for me, with the seed easy to access. (Paying less per pound for a bigger bag of birdseed that will dry out before you can use it all is a false economy.). (These are the three cans on the right in the photo above.) Our cats were quite thrilled with these entertaining (to them) newcomers but my husband and I were much less thrilled. We used a. How do you store your birdseed? Sturdy plastic bins, and galvanized metal containers are popular choices for bird food storage. If fifty pounds is beyond your strength, you might need to consider either getting someone else to carry the bag in for you or use a dolly or wagon to wheel it into your house. If you want to know what is the best bird food storage container, read on and well share our top tips on how to keep your wild bird food in tip-top condition. Sunflower Stored in an Old Metal Container, Mealworms and Millet Stored in Old Christmas Treat Tins, Birdseed Stored in Large Plastic Storage Containers, Birdseed and Peanuts Stored in Galvanized Metal Cans. Another large decorative tin was a gift. If you regularly feed the wild birds that visit your garden, youll want to make sure you never run out of bird feed. The whole process typically These larger cans hold thirty-one gallons and I think should be able to hold (or almost hold) two fifty pound bags of seed. Any chance your labels are available to download? Your email address will not be published.
Should I store bird seed in the plastic bag? Please always respect copyrights. You can also do a sniff-test of your bird food. But if stored, for example, in a hot shed, adjustments might be needed.
Got a question for us? call us today on01778 342 665, The store is currently under planned maintenance. Best metal storage containers for birdseed storage. When you subscribe below, youll get an email whenever a new post goes up (and ONLY then. Typically it is cheapest to purchase birdseed locally in the largest bags available. They should be kept in their own sealed bird food storage container, ideally made from plastic. Taking temperature and humidity into account is a good point. First, it can be harder to neatly extract birdseed stored in bags, especially big deep bulk bags. I could also create special labels for someone else filling the feeders for me while I was away if they needed more instructions.
The storage of bird seeds is different depending on the climate. These are great for storing large quantities of bird seed. I also touch on bird photography, stories about birds and birding field trips. You can, but its not the best way to store bird seed.
Good birdseed storage containers make it easy for people to use different seed varieties to feed wild birds. Proper storage will help keep your birdseed safe for your feathered friends to enjoy.
These large tins were found around my house. No lifting the heavy bags. When it comes to storing bird seed, the main thing is to keep it away from moisture and pests. I like labeling mine for a few reasons. ), If you have mice around and they find a way inside, you may develop a mouse problem. Dont have a well-sized decorative tin that will work for seed storage? We love making homemade bird treats for the wild birds that visit ourfeeders. Storing sunflower seeds or safflower seeds, How to store large quantities of bird seed. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. How do we keep birdseed fresh and tasty? A cool, dark, well-ventilated area between 8 and 10 degrees celsius is ideal and you should choose storage containers with deep sides and a lid. Please check back shortly.
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I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. If you use an affiliate link on my site to go to Amazon and make a purchase within 24 hours, I earn a small fee which helps offset blog related costs. Birdseed costs money and if you want it to last and not get moldy or be eaten by mice or other creatures, you need to store it properly. Thanks! Large galvanized metal garbage cans with lids are great for people who like to buy bird seed in bulk in a large bag. If you only buy ten or twenty pounds or less of birdseed at a time, this type of storage may be enough. I use a bunch of 30-ounce plastic jars that originally held Archer Farms trail mix (from Target.) Note: Because I recently changed how I store my birdseed, I updated my original post to add a third way to store seed. You may alternatively be able to find decorative metal tins that look nice for storing seed inside. So maybe this is really a pro. Hi Steve, So I buy sunflower hearts, safflower and nyjer seed in fifty-pound bags and peanuts in the shell in twenty-five pound bags from my local bird store. Bird seeds must be kept away from animals and insects that might get into the container, such as squirrels and raccoons. Without the lids, I find these are a nice size to scoop out a decent amount of seed, usually enough to top off or fill one or more feeders. Unfortunately, my lovely plastic bin storage hit a snag this past year: mice. This means youll need to find a safe and convenient way to store your bird food supply to keep it fresh and easily to hand when its time to top up your bird feeders. . So now I use the medium-sized can for peanuts in the shell and the larger cans for sunflower hearts/chips, safflower and nyjer seed. Although the seeds may be cold at this point, they thaw quickly, even before the birds return to your feeders to eat. They may not keep your seeds safe outside. Required fields are marked *. What Are the Best Ways to Store Bird Feed. Nancie, Your email address will not be published. I only use these links for products Ive used myself unless specifically noted otherwise.
Check with your local bird store. So, for the big storage bins downstairs, I taped a clear vinyl job ticket holder to the lid of each bin using clear packing tape on the three closed sides. I found out for me using large coolers with wheels work really well . . Or you could instead purchase smaller weight bags that you can manage. But if I need to make labels in the future, Ill do it the same way I labeled the plastic bins, although I would probably put the labels on their sides. You can also use plastic bins or a large plastic container with tight-fitting lids, but animals like squirrels or mice may chew through the plastic if you store birdseed outdoors. The blogs focus is on backyard bird watching, especially solutions for problems that come up with feeding backyard birds. Here are some of the most popular: -Metal garbage cans with tight fitting lids.
The first clue that your bird food has gone bad is if the wild birds visiting your garden dont seem to be eating it anymore! Even on wet, snowy days, I have a dry place to get all the seed ready to go outside. A temperature around 50 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for storing bird seed. To keep your bird feed supply fresh and delicious for the birds visiting your garden, only buy enough bird food to match demand and throw away old seed before refilling containers (i.e. from the kitchen storage and bring them outside.
If you are the only one filling the feeders, you may not need to label them. This replaces the previous post. clean and re-fill a birdbath too. Seeds last up to twelve months if properly stored. Sigh. Suet is a high-fat bird food that is perfect for cold weather. This keeps both the stored birdseed and me drier. For those, I use the jar to instead fill an old plastic The most important thing is to choose a bird food storage container that is durable and sturdy making it less likely to crack, rust or break over time and making it difficult for pests to chew through! (You could do something very something similar with sheet protector pages if you have some of those around the house.).
To attach them to my kitchen tins, I used clear packing tape to attach it to the side of the tins. One of the major issues is that bird food such as sunflower seeds, peanuts and other wild bird seed is not only delicious for birds, its also highly attractive to pests, such as rats, mice and insects! Furbo Dog Camera: Treat Tossing, Full HD Wifi Pet Camera and 2-Way Audio, Designed for Dogs, Compatible with Alexa (As Seen On Ellen), Petcube Cam Pet Monitoring Camera with Built-in Vet Chat for Cats & Dogs, Security Camera with 1080p HD Video, Night Vision, Two-Way Audio, Magnet Mounting for Entire Home Surveillance. All storage containers should have a well-fitting lid to prevent insects and rodents from accessing your bird feed. Remember that mice and squirrels may chew through your plastic storage containers. I have a lot of bird feeders and fill them with a lot of birdseed year round, but especially during winter months. Sure thing. Once inside, I open up the bag and bring one of my kitchen tins over near the bag. You could of course also use adhesive labels, either printed using a computer or hand written. Because I can usually go through fifty pounds of nyjer in a month, I buy it in the big bags from a local bird store that has very fresh high quality seed.
Similarly, if you use live bird food such as live mealworms, these will need to be kept at a specific temperature to prevent them hatching into beetles. If youd like to work together, email info@other-peoples-pets.com to chat. (See photo below.) My own seed is stored in my basement that never gets very hot so it isnt a problem. For years I stored the bulk of the seed down in our basement storage area in five very large 18-gallon Rugged Tote lidded plastic storage bins, purchased from a home improvement store (Lowes). . If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. When storing birdseed inside, you could go with either metal or heavy plastic storage bins. Nancie. ), Ive found that most birdseed bought fresh will easily last at least a few months when properly stored. Check for insects (alive or dead) or other signs of an infestation. Your email address will not be published. But heavy plastic storage bins like those sold in home improvement stores can also work well if chewing isnt an issue. To make my labels, I printed out a picture of each seed labeled with the name of the seed on regular paper. And during snow storms, I dont have to dig a path to an outdoor storage location just to get birdseed. Please Note: My blog includes some Amazon affiliate links. . Thats a really clever idea! During the winter, you can store seeds that the birds can consume for four weeks. Make sure that you store your fresh seed in a convenient location. Clean out your feeder and add fresh seeds every five to 10 days. takes about ten minutes each day, maybe a little more if I need to (One tin holds dried mealworms instead of seed.). Smaller containers can be stored in the kitchen or near the door if they are attractive. So what is the best bird food storage container? it all outside and fill the feeders. If you do keep your bird foor storage container outdoors, make sure its weighty enough not to be pushed or blown over! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I am more conservative about nyjer seed though because American Goldfinches will shun stale nyjer and it dries out relatively quickly. I love seeing birds eating in the window feeders in the winter. If Im stocked up, I can just fill them Labels make it clear that what is inside is something you need free access to. You can now find them in the Birdseed Storage Labels to Print post.) (A secure lid keeps them inside the storage container . Home Bird Seed, Suet and Other Foods Bird Seed Storing Birdseed: Three Easy Ways. This is how I store birdseed at my house. Other problems with improper storage are that it can lead to spills of bird food and make refilling your bird feeders messy, tricky and time-consuming! This method prevents the seed from spoilage because of humidity and hot conditions. Choose a storage method that works best for you and your family. Dismiss, The Warehouse, 74, Station Road,Deeping St James,Peterborough,PE6 8RQ, The Ultimate Guide to Using Blended Bird Seed. But once the kitchen When it is very hot, it is better to store a quantity that the birds can consume for two weeks during the summer season. Feeding birds in winter is a great way to enjoy your garden year-round. And one more metal container originally held a bulk order of desiccant packets (used when I produced a monthly paper magazine.) Promise!). until you open the lid. The best way to store bird food is in a cool, dry place out of reach of pests.
Use galvanized metal cans with the added protection of a locking or tight fitting lid. If feasible, store larger quantities of seeds inside locking boxes or garages in a convenient place where feeders can be retrieved easily. But I needed to temporarily put the jars I use as scoops on the tops of the bins, which could damage or dirty the labels. Metal garbage cans and plastic bins are some popular bird seed storage containers. With a little planning, you can easily keep your bird seed fresh. stock is depleted, I go downstairs to fill up the jars. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ellen LaFleche-Christian and Other Peoples Pets with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Pet sitting tips for owners and caregivers. To fill the feeders, you obviously need to get the birdseed from the storage containers to the feeders. I just checked and I do have my seed labels saved as jpg files. I wanted to be sure I could fit it all inside the cans. Birdseed & Binoculars is the blog of Nancie Waterman. When I come home from the bird store, I carry the fifty-pound bag to just inside my kitchen door and set it down on the floor. Top 10 yellow birds in Britain and the UK to attract in your garden, Celebrate National Bird Day with some urban birding, World Wildlife Day; How To Attract Wildlife To Your Garden, 7 Ways to Get your Children Involved With The Big Garden Birdwatch, Garden and nature crafts you can do with the kids, 5 things to do to rewild your garden in time for spring, How birdwatching activities can benefit your mental health, How can you do your bit for wildlife conservation, How to Keep Your Bird Feeder Clean and Hygienic.