How to Keep Bird Seed Out in Winter

During the winter months, your birds still need to eat. Unfortunately, food is scarce and many other animals will look to your bird feeder to get a decent meal. You will need to protect your bird feeder during the winter so that the birds can get their bird seed. Also, the winter months bring about different temperatures that can cause mold to grow in your bird seed, and you will need to guard against this.

Things You'll Need

  • Baffle
  • 2 oz. bleach
  • 2 gallons of water
  • Dish pan
  • Soft bristle brush
  • Petroleum jelly
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Install a baffle over your bird feeder. This is a dome-shaped device that works the same way an umbrella does. It will keep rain, snow, and sleet from getting in your bird feeder. It will also provide a dry spot for your birds to rest in bad weather. Most baffles are made of plastic. They can be purchased at a pet store, or ordered online. As an added bonus, the baffles will also keep some unwanted animals from reaching the bird seed.

    • 2

      Shake the bird feeder once each day to dislodge any bird seed clumps that have become frozen or stuck together.

    • 3

      Remove any clumps of wet bird seed each day, or they will begin to get moldy. Then top off your feeder with fresh bird seed.

    • 4

      Wash your bird feeders once a week. Fill a dish pan with the bleach and hot water. Dip your scrub brush in the bleach/water solution and scrub the bird feeder inside and out. This will remove any mold or mildew that has begun to grow on the bird feeder.

    • 5

      Rinse and dry your bird feeder and fill it up with fresh bird seed. Look for a bird seed that is high in fat and protein for use during the winter. This will make up for the fat and proteins that birds lose during the winter months when worms aren't readily available for consumption.

    • 6

      Keep squirrels and other winter scavengers from accessing your bird feeders by greasing up the bottom of the bird feeder pole with petroleum jelly. This will prevent them from climbing the pole. If you have your bird feeder in a tree, the baffle will do the trick.