Have a problem with the birdfeed that falls on the ground.?

Question

The birdfeed falls onto the ground and then sprouts 'thick weeds' underneath the feeder. I hate that! How do I prevent this from happening? Is there a particular feed that I should use that won't do this? Or should I have the feeder in a different location?

Answer 1

You need to hang a screen under your bird feeder, large enough to catch the seed and so that birds that prefer eating off a platform feeder can land there and pick at the fallen seed. Your feeder should also hang over something cement or wooden so that you can easily sweep up any seed and empty seed hulls that escape the feeder and the screen.

You can also microwave your seed for a minute or so or bake it for 5 - 10 minutes at 350 degrees so that it won't germinate -but you still should clean up under the feeder to prevent a mess and stop rodents from eating whatever drops.

Answer 2

The seed has help. Many birds will hit the feeder to intentionally spread the seed on the ground. Squirrels don't help either. I recommend putting a 3-4ft wide landscaping circle under the birdfeeder with an ornamental sculpture or something. Fill the circle with about 4-6 inches of crushed bluestone or oyster shells (depending on what's available.) The seeds won't sprout there. (The sculpture is unnecessary - aside from making the circle look like it blends, and less like a helopad.)

Answer 3

The screen underneat works pretty well. Good answer. Forget the gravel, the seeds still germinate even with plastic under the gravel.

I'm about ready to lay stepping stones butted together under my feeder, essentially paving underneath and out several feet in each direction and then putting a raised edge along the perimeter to keep the seed inside.

The no mess is more expensive but worth it if this problem really bothers you enough.

Answer 4

1. There is a poll system from my local Wild birds Unlimited that include a screen that goes under the bird feeder that catches the seed as the birds flip it around.

2. I purchase no mess blends that prevent the sprouting of the seeds.

Answer 5

Best thing to do is place the feeder on a pole of some sort and dig up the grass around the pole, and replace it with gravel or decorative stones. You can even pave that small area with flagstone. It can be made to look very nice, and when the seed falls on the stones/gravel/whatever, they won't germinate.

Answer 6

I don't think it is the birdfeed, move the feeder to make sure, and see if it happens again, then use something to kill the weeds.

Answer 7

Get a few cats, Hang the feeder real low, birds dissapear. then you dont need the feeder

Answer 8

Toast the seed before putting it out for the birds. If you sprinkle it lightly with cayenne pepper, it will keep the squirrels away too.

Answer 9

you can cook bird seed on a cookie sheet and it will not germinate. I don't know the exact temp like 250 for 30 min. it won't taste different to the birds either.

Answer 10

AS LONG AS YOU FEED BIRDS YOU GONNA HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I MADE MY FEED AREA A LITTLE BIT TALLER SO SO MUCH DOES NOT FALL BUT SOME STILL GETS OUT. THE BIRDS DROP IT ON THE GROUND AND ITS GONNA GERMINATE WHEN WARM WEATHER COMES.