How Can I Make Sure My Birdseed Doesn’t Go Bad?

Photograph of Red-breasted Nuthatch and Chestnut-backed Chickadee by Charles Oldham

Spoiled or moldy seed can be harmful to your birds and make a mess of your feeders. How do you make sure the seed in your feeders stays fresh?

Fill feeders with no more seed than will be consumed in 3 days.  Place only sunflower seed in a hanging feeder.  Millet, cracked corn, or seed mixes should be offered in an open screen-bottomed feeder.

Be sure your feeder is designed for Northwest weather.  Hopper and fly-through feeders should have large overhanging roofs and screen bottoms to keep seed dry. Tube feeders can benefit from a dome over the top to keep rain out. Feeder Fresh (crystals of anhydrous silica, basically sand) can be added to your feeder to absorb moisture and keep your seed fresh longer.