You’ve opened your birdseed container, only to discover that it’s full of weevils. Do you need to throw it away, or will birds eat seed with weevils in it?
Birds will eat seeds with weevils in them because weevils are insects, and insects form part of a bird’s normal diet. Weevils are an excellent protein source for birds. The only issue with weevils in a seed container is that they can gradually eat the seed, resulting in less food for the birds.
What Should I Do With Weevil-Contaminated Seeds?
You might wonder how long you can keep the seeds and if there’s anything you should do to counteract the weevil infestation.
So, what should you do with the weevil-contaminated seed?
You should check your weevil-contaminated seeds for signs of fungus or mold.
Weevils can spread fungus and mold, which are harmful to birds, so if you notice fungus or mold, throw the seed away.
If the seed weevil contamination seems new, it’s best to feed the seeds to the birds as soon as possible to prevent mold or fungus formation.
Alternatively, you could kill the weevils and prevent them from spoiling the seed by heating them to at least 150°F (65.5°C).
Another way of killing weevils is to freeze them for at least three days. After freezing or heating the seeds, the birds will enjoy a tasty and protein-rich meal.
Will Birds Eat Expired Seeds?
If you have a bag of expired birdseed that still looks fine, you might wonder if it’s okay to use it to fill your bird feeder. Will birds eat expired seeds?
Birds will eat expired seeds, but old seeds gradually lose nutrients. Expired seeds can also lose their nutty taste, making them less appetizing for birds.
Though expired birdseed is less nutritious, it’s still safe to feed it to birds.
As long as you don’t notice mold, fungus, or clumping seed that won’t separate easily, you can still use it.
Seed clumps that are difficult to separate could indicate that they contain moisture, which is the perfect condition in which bacteria and fungus can form.
Fresh birdseed is best, but you should replace the seeds in your bird feeder every two to three days.
If you leave it for longer, moisture can accumulate in the seeds, providing the perfect breeding ground for fungus and bacteria, especially if it’s hot.
What’s the Best Way To Store Birdseed?
The best way to store birdseed is to use an airtight container.
You should store the container in a cool and dry place to keep it as fresh as possible and avoid using chemicals or cleaners in the same area.
A thick and robust airtight container is the best option because it helps keep pests away.
Rats and mice and attracted to birdseed and can easily bite through the container if it’s not strong enough or if there are cracks or holes in it.
Many household cleaners and chemicals are toxic to birds, and using them around an open or porous container of bird seed can contaminate the seeds.
Below are some household chemicals to avoid using in the same area as you store your birdseed:
- Air freshener
- Pesticides, including snail poison
- Poisonous rat and mice bait
- Herbicides
- Insecticides
- Ammonia-based cleaners
- Oven cleaner
Buying birdseed in bulk is a cost-effective and convenient option.
However, if you take several months to use it up, you increase the risk of a weevil infestation or fungus formation.
If you buy smaller bird seed bags, it helps ensure the birds have a constant supply of fresh and nutritious seeds.
What Is the Healthiest Food for Birds?
Having a bird feeder filled with seeds can attract interesting bird species to your backyard. But what is the healthiest food for birds?
The healthiest food for birds is sunflower seeds. However, peanuts, corn, pinhead oatmeal, and safflower is also highly nutritious.
You might also consider providing dried mealworms, fruit, or suet for extra protein. Sugar water is good for hummingbirds.
Here’s why these bird food types are healthy for birds:
- Sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds provide high levels of calories and proteins for birds. They also contain carbohydrates, Vitamin A, and potassium for healthy organ functioning. Many types of sunflower seeds are suitable for birds, including striped, black oil, whole, or gray seeds.
- Peanuts: Most birds find peanuts incredibly tasty due to their high-fat content. Birds can eat whole, crushed, or chopped peanuts and also enjoy peanut butter.
- Corn: Cracked corn is a popular ingredient in birdseed mixes and is rich in protein, fat, and fiber. Many birdseed mixes have tiny corn pieces, which often fall to the ground when birds eat from the feeder. However, ground-feeding birds will gladly eat the spoils.
- Pinhead oatmeal: Pinhead oatmeal is finely chopped oatmeal that is packed with protein. Birds with softbills, such as robins, canaries, mousebirds, and finches, enjoy eating pinhead oatmeal due to its soft texture.
- Safflower: Not all birds eat safflower as it has a hard shell and a slightly bitter taste. However, if you want to attract chickadees, cardinals, or grosbeaks to your backyard, it’s an excellent choice as these birds love safflower.
- Dried mealworms: Insects form an integral part of a bird’s diet but these can be hard to come by during the winter. You can help your backyard birds during the colder months by providing them with dried mealworms.
- Fruit: All birds enjoy fruit because it’s full of fructose and gives them plenty of instant energy. Examples of fruit you can leave out for the birds include orange halves, seedless grapes, apples, or bananas. Berries are also a good choice.
- Suet: Suet is semi-solid animal fat that many bird species enjoy during the winter due to its high energy and fat content.
- Sugar water: Hummingbirds drink nectar from flowers but also love sugar water from hummingbird feeders. You can buy ready-made hummingbird water, or you can make your own by combining one part sugar with four parts of water.