What to do if you have soggy seed in your bird feeder

I know April showers bring May flowers, but right now the showers are bringing soggy seed to some people’s bird feeders. What’s the solution? You could leave the feeder empty when it rains. But did you know that’s when most birds utilize feeders.

If the weather is bad, birds want to spend less time foraging for natural resources and go to a known source of food to get a quick bite and then zip back into some shelter.

My favorite secret weapon against soggy seed is Feeder Fresh which is available at the Wild Birds Unlimited store in East Lansing, MI. This is a desiccant that I stir into the seed to absorb the moisture. I use it most often during humid weather and during the rainy spring and fall.

It absorbs excess water, is safe for birds, and made from non-toxic absorbent sand. Feeder Fresh keeps the seed in the feeder dry which prevents molds from forming.

Once the Feeder Fresh absorbs its own weight in water it will discontinue absorbing, and be identical to the silica grit. I recommend this product made in the USA very highly.

There are also Weather Guards designed to go over a feeder to keep bad weather from spoiling your seed. They are clear plastic domes that will not deter birds from feeding; in fact, many enjoy feeding under the shelter and out of the wet weather. They have a lifetime guarantee and are also made in the USA.

So be sure to check your feeders after a rain to make sure the seed is dry. If not, clean your feeder and replace the seed. At the Wild Birds Unlimited East Lansing, MI store we clean feeders for $5.00 each and boy have I been cleaning a lot of feeders lately because as most of our customers are well aware, moldy seed is very dangerous for the birds. 

Wild Birds Unlimited has a variety of acrylic brushes

that won't scratch bird feeder surfaces.

Or you can purchase professional cleaners like Scoot at Wild Birds Unlimited, or use a mild one part vinegar to nine parts water solution to disinfect all of your feeders. Scoot Bird Feeder Cleaner is made in Michigan and is an alternative to bleach for tough jobs. It can clean wood, metal, and plastic safely. Just disassemble feeders and immerse them completely for three minutes. Scrub with brushes (we have these too), rinse thoroughly, and let air dry.

Remember the best way to attract the widest variety of birds at the feeder is to offer fresh seed at a clean feeder.

Related articles:

• Do I need to clean my bird feeder? http://bit.ly/HNX410
• What to know about feeding birds in the spring http://bit.ly/HOjECH
• How to have more colorful birds at your feeder http://bit.ly/umlwXg
• Can birds predict the weather? http://bit.ly/HNZTPx