If your feeders are over grass or mulch, cleanup can be tough. Installing pavers underneath your bird feeder creates a solid surface that’s easy to sweep or vacuum.
By giving these strategies a try, you can keep the area under your bird feeder cleaner and more enjoyable for both you and your birds.
Bird feeding is a popular hobby that allows you to connect with nature right in your own backyard. However, one frustrating downside is the mess that fallen seeds and hulls can create on the ground below your feeders. Not only is this an eyesore, but it can also lead to issues like the spread of bacteria and disease if left unchecked.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the steps and best practices for effectively cleaning up waste from under your bird feeders.
Why You Need to Clean Up Fallen Bird Seed
Before jumping into the how-to, it’s important to understand why cleaning up spilled seeds and hulls is so crucial for maintaining a healthy backyard bird habitat Here are the top reasons
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Prevents bacteria growth: Wet, moldy seeds are breeding grounds for harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. This can sicken birds and other wildlife.
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Limits pests Messy areas under feeders attract unwanted critters like rats, mice, and squirrels.
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Avoids rotting seeds: Uneaten, soggy seeds will decay and smell bad if left on the ground.
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Protects plants: Certain seeds contain growth-inhibiting chemicals. Sunflower hulls, for example, can prevent grass and plants from growing properly.
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Maintains soil health: An overabundance of discarded seeds can throw off the composition of your soil.
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Discourages large bird flocks: Large quantities of fallen seeds will attract nuisance birds like pigeons, grackles, and starlings.
How Often You Should Clean Under Bird Feeders
To reap the benefits above, it’s recommended to clean up waste from under your bird feeders about once a week. However, certain situations call for more frequent cleanings:
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High traffic areas: If lots of birds visit your feeders daily, aim for 2-3 cleanings per week.
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Hot weather: Seeds rot faster when it’s hot and humid. During summer, clean up waste at least twice weekly.
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Active breeding season: With lots of birds around in spring, be vigilant about removing old seeds and hulls.
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Disease outbreaks: Clean daily to limit the spread of illnesses like salmonellosis or avian influenza.
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Newly sprouted seeds: Pick up any freshly sprouted seedlings as soon as you spot them.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Under Bird Feeders
Ready to tackle that messy area? Here is a step-by-step guide to effectively cleaning up waste under your bird feeders:
Gather Your Tools
First, collect the following cleaning tools and supplies:
- Stiff broom or outdoor push broom
- Small shovel or scoop
- Garden rake
- Dustpan
- Heavy duty work gloves
- Sealable plastic bags or trash bin
- Garden hose with spray nozzle
Optional extras:
- Power or pressure washer
- Leaf blower
- Seed digester spray
Thoroughly Sweep or Rake
Put on gloves and carefully sweep or rake the entire area under and around your feeders. Scoop up all spilled seeds, hulls, and seedlings and place debris into trash bags.
Be sure to check under decks or porches where seeds may accumulate. Rake or sweep right up to the base of each feeder pole.
Aim to remove all visible seeds, hulls, sprouts, and plant matter from the soil surface.
Blast Away Stuck-On Debris
If seeds or hulls are stuck to the ground, use your hose or a power washer on a low setting to blast them away. Avoid excessive watering of the area.
Alternatively, a strong leaf blower on full power can blow away lodged seeds. Wear eye protection.
Apply Seed Digester
For persistent hulls and seeds stuck in cracks or lawn, apply an eco-safe seed digester spray. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse away with a gentle spray of water.
Seed digesters contain natural enzymes to break down hard seed coats and hulls. This makes removal much easier.
Remove Top Layer of Soil or Sod
For really stubborn, impacted areas, removing the top 1-2 inches of soil or sod may be necessary. Use a square tip shovel to lightly skim off the surface layer where seeds are trapped.
Discard the waste soil and re-sod or simply rake smooth. Grass and weeds will regrow quickly.
Power Wash Hard Surfaces
Use a pressure washer on driveways, sidewalks, patios, or other hard surfaces to blast off clinging seeds or hulls. Wear protective gear to avoid splash back.
Disinfect Feeder Poles and Hanging Hardware
Give your feeder poles and hanging hooks or chains a quick disinfecting as well. Use a scrub brush and solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.
This kills any bacteria that may transfer from birds’ feet to feeders. Rinse thoroughly and let air dry.
Remove Trash Bags Promptly
Immediately dispose of all collected waste and debris in sealed trash bags. Never compost discarded bird seed or hulls.
Tips for Preventing Mess in the First Place
Prevention is the best solution! Here are handy tips to minimize fallen seeds and hulls:
- Use quality bird seed – birds will waste less.
- Offer seeds with no shells (e.g. peanuts, nyjer).
- Separate messy blends into specialty feeders.
- Add tray catchers under feeders.
- Move feeders away from ledges and perches.
- Position feeders over hard surfaces, not soil or grass.
- Discourage large flocks from gathering.
- Eliminate places for birds to perch near feeders.
Alternative Ground Surfaces Below Feeders
If cleaning up fallen seeds feels never-ending, consider installing an alternate ground surface under your feeder area. This will make clean-up much simpler long-term. Some options include:
- Paving stones, bricks, or concrete patio
- Landscape fabric covered with mulch or gravel
- Shallow sand pit or inexpensive above-ground pool liner
- Tarp suspended under feeders to catch waste
FAQs about Cleaning Up Bird Seed
How do I get rid of bird seeds in my lawn?
When the seed has fallen and taken root, your best option is to take a rake to the affected area. Use the rake to disturb and pull up any sprouting seeds to not only remove what is there but help prevent future growth. It’s recommended to rake the area beneath a feeder several times a month.
How can I stop bird seed from falling on the ground?
Attach a tray to your bird feeders to catch falling seeds. Also, use quality seeds, offer shelled options, separate messy blends, and position feeders over hard surfaces.
Is it okay to throw bird seed on the ground?
No, provide seed from a feeder rather than scattering it. Keep areas under feeders clean, use fresh seed, and clean feeders regularly.
What should I do with old bird seed?
If the old seed looks wet, clumpy and moldy, dump it in the trash. If it looks okay, spread on the ground for ground-feeding birds.
Conclusion
With a little routine maintenance, you can easily stay on top of the seed mess under your feeders. Follow these tips to keep your bird feeding areas clean, healthy, and inviting for local birds. Most importantly, be sure to properly dispose of collected waste. Your feathered friends will thank you!
How often should you clean underneath your bird feeder?
First things first. How often should you clean up the mess underneath your bird feeder? That depends on how busy your feeders are! If you’re worried about nocturnal pests, a daily clean-up is best. Otherwise, a good rule of thumb is every couple of days, or whenever there’s a noticeable layer of seed. Don’t let it pile up – it could turn into a moldy, bacteria-laden mess that’s bad for birds and other wildlife who like to ground feed.
Choose to feed one type of seed per feeder
Birds can be picky eaters, often flicking out the seeds they dont like. To keep more food off the ground, avoid seed blends and stick to a single, crowd-pleasing type like black oil sunflower seed. If you want to offer a variety of seeds, use separate feeders for each type. This way, birds can pick their favorite without tossing unwanted seeds onto the ground, keeping your feeding area tidier! If leftover shells are still an issue, look for no-mess or no-waste seed options.