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Use Bird Seed Trays for Clean Bird Feeding
Add them to a post, add them to a bird feeder pole, or hang them… seed trays greatly reduce ground mess and waste. Spilled seed can lead to other problems, like mold which is unhealthy for ground feeding birds, and may attract some unwanted visitors too. Over the years we’ve heard from many folks (especially in the city) who stop feeding birds altogether due to rats… yuck!Clean feeding is easy with bird seed trays or seed catchers. Using a no-waste seed mix or sunflower hearts also helps alleviate ground mess. They’re pure with no filers – which is what ends up on the ground anyway. Milo, red millet, cracked corn and oats don’t really serve birds well at all, they’ll toss it right out of the feeder on purpose!
Newer designs in recycled plastic make it possible to add the generous-size trays to a 4×4 post or standard garden
pole. The large area is inviting to some birds who may never have visited the feeder before. Adjustable Seed Hoops fit almost any type feeder out there, and come in 16-and 30-inch diameter. The smaller size is ideal for tube styles, while the large tray is best for hopper bird feeders.
Should you happen to be one of the “I don’t feed birds in summer” folks – just know that backyard feeders are hopping with activity now as most birds have nestlings to feed. The show of migratory birds passing through is colorful and quite dazzling to catch… so don’t give up the ship due to ground mess!
*Use seed trays to minimize waste
*Switch to cleaner seed mixes with no fillers
*Try No-Melt Suet Doughs for warm weather feeding
*Offer fruit & jelly for migratory birds- it leaves no waste
*Feed dried mealworms (boil and steep to soften) for a real treat! -
Why Use an Ant Moat with Feeders?
Sugar, anything with sugar is bound to attract ants! Be it hummingbird, oriole, butterfly or any fruit & jelly feeder… ants will find them-especially in hot, dry weather. They spoil nectar for hummingbirds, the sprites will not drink from a feeder containing ants. Same goes for grape jelly and oranges set out for orioles, and even butterfly feeders offering nectar. Ants must exude something quite nasty as it only takes one to ruin a meal.The most basic ant moat is simplistic in design, an upside-down umbrella or cup that holds water. Ants drown when trying to cross water. Some prefer to coat the inside with petroleum jelly instead, which also acts as a barrier for ants. To slow water evaporation, you can a drop or two of cooking oil to the moat’s water.
Etched hummingbird feeders shown above have unique wood tops and bases and offer their own optional ant moat. With sleek style and matching wood grain, this type of moat features a grooved underside containing an anti-ant substance that lasts for several years. It’s neat and clean with no filling required.Parasol crafts a mean ant moat, in red or black it looks like, well… a parasol!
We’ve seen goldfinches actually drink from these on hot summer days, even though several birdbaths are always kept clean and full! The ant moats work well with any feeder, regardless of how many vessels. 
You can feed hummingbirds without attracting pesky ants… of course using a no-drip feeder really helps.
As for bigger pests? We caught a raccoon red-handed, drinking from a feeder on the deck the other night. He had both hands wrapped around the feeder, guzzling like it was beer! New solution: bring said feeder inside at night… dang!
- Bird Houses, Copper Roof Birdhouse, Decorative Bird Houses, Dovecote Birdhouse, Uncategorized, Vinyl with Copper Roof Birdhouses
Stately Dovecote Birdhouse Makes a Superb Mother’s Day Gift!
Did you procrastinate for mom’s special Day? Panicked in search of an amazing gift to show your love? No worries!Our dovecote birdhouses are works of art that really do last a lifetime. In durable vinyl/PVC, they could actually pass for wood. In fact we’ve had customers call and tell us “I ordered a vinyl birdhouse but received a wood one instead”. Copper stays bright and shiny for 3 to 4 years, at which time you can apply copper polish or let it weather naturally. The aged patina finish is to die for, the images just don’t do them any justice at all!
Ranging from small to estate-size, these fine bird houses will grace the landscape with timeless beauty and elegance – we even guarantee it.
If you’ve delayed, an e-card will let mom choose her favorite style and roof option. Actually, an e-gift certificate will provide a most unique and really fun shopping experience that promises to be personal and friendly! That’s a big advantage to shopping small, just check our stellar testimonials for personal service that’s above and beyond any online shopping experience!
This post was to be written days ago, but I think there’s been a mental block due to the holiday? Listen up: if you’re lucky enough to have your own mother around, spend time with her tomorrow, celebrate her nurturing way and all that’s she’s done for you growing up, you know, all the little stuff that’s taken for granted. And above all, show her your appreciation… dovecote birdhouse or not!
By the way, we’ll design an e-gift card with your personal message, send it via email for you to print and insert in your Mother’s day card. Talk about last minute… she’ll never know 🙂
To all the Mom’s out there, we wish for you a very Happy Mother’s Day!
May it be filled with Family, Love and Laughter!
Birding Tips, Information & News
