Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Greg Gillson
Bird feeding is an enjoyable pastime.
But it has some challenges.
One thing that can be a problem is the mess of seed husks and bird droppings that can accumulate under the feeder. It can be unsightly or even unhealthy.
Sunflower seed husks can kill the grass under a bird feeder, leaving behind muddy bare ground and some scraggly, weedy-looking sprouts.
What do you put under bird feeders to keep them from being messy?
To keep the ground under a bird feeder clean, you can put a seed catcher under your bird feeder. You can also landscape under a bird feeder with flowers, pavers, mulch, or a tree ring.
This article gives you some ideas and tells you how.
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| Carl & Tracy Gossett. Flickr. CC BY-ND-2.0 |
Spilled bird seed and shells from sunflower and other seeds can create a mess under the bird feeder. These spilled seeds can pile up and become a mess. Spilled seeds may attract unwanted creatures at your bird feeder. Some seeds may sprout under the feeder. In wet winter conditions the fallen seeds may be covered with mold and mildew.
Here are some ideas for you to consider. Be sure to view the video at the end of the article. It’s not my video, but it shows how one person tried several ideas and finally created landscaping to put under her bird feeder to keep it clean.
Seed catchers to prevent messy bird feeders
Seedcatchers can also save you money by retrieving fallen seed and placing it back in the feeder.
There are several kinds or styles of seed catchers.
You will find seed catchers that hang from hooks under a bird feeder.
Other types of seed catchers attach to the bird feeder pole.
Still other seed catchers sit on the ground under the feeder.
I tried a small hanging seed catcher once. Did it work? Somewhat, I guess. It might be just the solution you are looking for.
In my brief experience using one, it caught some seeds, but not all. If the wind blew, the seeds would blow out. If I didn’t clean it out every day–or twice a day, the seeds would be on the ground.
Additionally, I worried that with strong winds, the seed catcher would act like a sail and the bird feeder would blow over. The bigger the seed catcher, the better they work, but the more likely it is that wind could be a problem. The only way to know is to try it!
Planting a wildflower garden under your bird feeder
Planting a wildflower garden under your bird feeder can be a great way to attract birds with their many seeds. It can also hide fallen seeds from the feeder and aid in naturally decomposing them.
Wildflowers like geraniums, daylilies, clematis, lupines, dahlias, cotoneasters, lemon balms, and even coneflowers are great for under a bird feeder.
Overwintering birds will pick up these seeds and eat them once the spring hits, making for an even better afternoon snack.
Furthermore, the birds in your yard can also spread wildflower seeds, ultimately helping you grow more.
You can also try other low-growing plants beneath a bird feeder like sunflowers or holly.
The key here is to have landscaping that is inviting, not overpowering. Remember that the plants growing underneath your feeder can’t be too tall.
Having your plant take over the bird feeder can deter birds and even uproot your feeder from the ground.
Here are some tips for planting a wildflower garden under your bird feeder:
Choose native plants that are adapted to your area.
Plant in the fall or early spring.
Choose plants that bloom at different times of the year.
Placing landscaping pavers under your bird feeder
Pavers are flat stones or bricks that you can lay on the ground to create a hard surface under your bird feeder. Pavers are easy to install and maintain, and they come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns. You can arrange them in any way you like to create a unique design. Pavers also prevent weeds from growing and make it easy to sweep or hose off any spilled seeds or droppings.
Landscaping with mulch under your bird feeder
Mulch is a layer of organic or inorganic material that you can spread on the ground to cover the soil and suppress weed growth. Mulch also helps retain moisture, regulate temperature, and improve soil quality. You can use different types of mulch under your bird feeder, such as wood chips, bark, straw, gravel, rubber, or plastic. Mulch is inexpensive and widely available at garden centers or home improvement stores.
Landscaping with a tree-ring under your bird feeder
A tree ring is a circular landscaping feature that surrounds a tree trunk and creates a border between the tree and the lawn. A tree ring can also be used under a bird feeder to create a neat and tidy area that prevents spilled seeds from growing and prevents mess. You can buy a tree ring made of plastic or rubber online or at a local garden center, or make one yourself with some landscape fabric and edging.
Don’t put anything under your bird feeder–move it seasonally!
This is the simplest and most common way to landscape under a bird feeder–don’t.
Perhaps you are already doing this. In this case you are looking for a more attractive idea. But consider….
At the end of the winter or spring bird feeding season, take your feeders down. Remove all feeders and poles. Clean and rake the ground under the bird feeder. Reseed the small patch of damaged lawn.
Then, in the fall, put your feeders up again at a new location.
Will this work for you? If so, problem solved!
During the winter, don’t put off cleaning under your bird feeder. I know it’s not high on your to-do list. But don’t put it off. It’s only a 10-minute job if done regularly. Clean up spilled seed and rake at least monthly. The more often you perform this task, the easier it is, and the less damage your lawn will suffer.
Brief instructions for how to landscape under a bird feeder
1. Clean under the bird feeder: Before you start landscaping, you need to clean up any old seeds, hulls, droppings, or debris that may have accumulated under your bird feeder. This will prevent mold, disease, and pests from harming your birds and plants. You can use a rake, a broom, a shovel, or a vacuum cleaner to remove the mess.
2. Level the ground: Next, you need to level the ground under your bird feeder to make sure it is flat and even. This will make it easier to lay down your landscaping material and prevent it from shifting or sinking over time. You can use a hoe, a spade, or a trowel to dig up any bumps or holes and smooth out the surface.
3. Lay down your landscaping material: Finally, you need to lay down your landscaping material on top of the leveled ground. Depending on what material you chose, you may need to cut it to fit the size and shape of your bird feeding area. You may also need to secure it with some stakes, nails, glue, or sand to keep it in place.
Wrapping Up
Whether or not spilled bird seed from your feeder matters depends on several factors, including the type of seed, the amount spilled, and the location of your feeder. Here’s a breakdown of the potential pros and cons to consider:
Potential benefits:
- Ground feeders: Spilled seed can attract ground-feeding birds like sparrows, juncos, and mourning doves that might not readily use hanging feeders. This can increase the biodiversity of birds visiting your backyard.
- Additional food source: During lean times or harsh weather, spilled seed can offer a valuable supplemental food source for all birds, helping them survive and thrive.
- Natural enrichment: Seed on the ground can encourage natural foraging behaviors in birds, keeping them mentally and physically stimulated.
Potential drawbacks:
- Unwanted guests: Spilled seed can also attract unwanted animals like squirrels, rats, and mice, which can compete with birds for food and potentially spread diseases.
- Weed growth: Some bird seeds, especially millet and sunflowers, can sprout and grow if left on the ground, potentially creating unwanted vegetation in your yard.
- Attracting larger birds: Large birds like pigeons and doves might be drawn to spilled seed, potentially intimidating smaller birds and preventing them from accessing the feeder.
- Mess and sanitation: Excessive amounts of spilled seed can create a messy situation, attracting insects and making your yard look unkempt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bird seed doesn’t make a mess?
Choosing the right bird seed can be a balancing act between attracting your feathered friends and keeping your yard tidy. Luckily, several bird seed options minimize mess and maintain a clean aesthetic for you and your winged guests. Here are some of the best “no-mess” bird seeds to consider:
Hulled Seeds:
- Sunflower Hearts: These are essentially the meat of sunflower seeds, removed from their shells. This eliminates the mess of shells falling to the ground and attracts a wider variety of birds who might struggle with cracking open whole seeds.
- Hulled Peanuts: Like sunflower hearts, hulled peanuts offer the nutritious kernels without the messy shells. They appeal to various birds, including jays, woodpeckers, and chickadees.
- Hulled Safflower Seeds: This oilseed boasts high nutritional value and attracts finches, chickadees, and other small songbirds. It has minimal hulls and won’t sprout, making it a clean and convenient option.
Specialty Seeds:
- Nyjer (Thistle): This tiny black seed is a favorite among finches and siskins. It comes in feeders specifically designed for its fine form, minimizing spillage and scattering.
- White Millet: While this seed has a husk, it’s small and lightweight, so most of it gets consumed by birds, leaving minimal mess.
- Pepitas: These shelled pumpkin seeds are a great alternative to sunflower hearts, offering similar nutritional value and attracting a variety of birds without the shell mess.
No-mess Blends:
- Commercial No-mess Blends: Many bird seed suppliers offer pre-mixed blends specifically designed to minimize mess. These typically contain a combination of hulled seeds, smaller options like nyjer, and seeds less likely to sprout.
- DIY No-mess Blend: Experiment with your own blend by combining hulled seeds like sunflower hearts and safflower with nyjer or white millet. Customize it based on the birds you want to attract.
Why do birds throw seed out of feeder?
Birds tossing seeds out of your feeder might seem puzzling, but there are actually several reasons for this behavior:
1. Selective Eating: Just like us, birds have preferences! They may toss out seeds they dislike, such as hulls or shells, favoring the tastier or more nutritious inner parts. Some species may also prefer specific types of seeds over others, discarding anything that doesn’t meet their taste buds.
2. Breaking Shells: Some birds, like parrots and larger finches, are adept at using their beaks to crack open shells or husks to access the edible kernels. The discarded shells you see around your feeder might be the remnants of their snacking process.
3. Attracting Attention: In some cases, birds may throw seeds to attract the attention of potential mates or rivals. This “show-off” behavior can demonstrate their strength and foraging skills, potentially increasing their chances of finding a partner or defending their territory.
4. Creating Scatter-Hoards: Some bird species, like jays and nutcrackers, are known for storing food in hidden caches for later consumption. They might throw seeds away from the feeder to create these hidden stashes, ensuring a future meal even when food sources are scarce.
5. Dislodging Unwanted Items: Occasionally, birds may toss out sticks, stones, or other debris that inadvertently end up in the feeder along with the seeds. This helps maintain their preferred feeding space and ensures they have easy access to the tasty snacks.
Do sunflower seeds go bad for birds?
Sunflower seeds can go bad for birds, just like any other food, but the timeframe and potential consequences depend on several factors:
Factors affecting spoilage:
- Storage: Unopened bags of sunflower seeds stored in a cool, dry place (ideally around 50°F) can last for several months, while exposed or poorly stored seeds will deteriorate quicker.
- Moisture: If seeds get wet or damp, they become susceptible to mold growth, which can be harmful to birds.
- Heat: Excessive heat can accelerate the spoilage process, causing seeds to rancidify and lose their nutritional value.
- Age: Over time, even properly stored seeds will lose their nutritional content and become less appealing to birds.
Related Articles:
Why do birds throw seed out of the feeder?
End the Mess of Feeding Wild Birds!
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