Backyard feeders aren’t just “for the birds.”
Who’s Invited?
Backyard bird feeders are a staple in private properties and multi-residential facilities alike. Whether its suet cakes, mealworm dispensers, or the traditional black-oil sunflower seed containers, the seemingly religious ritual of feeding backyard birds is very common among both novice bird watchers and diehard enthusiasts.
An Eastern Grey Squirrel at the local feeder. (Photo | Jeff Traynor, A.C.E.)
While the intent of the bird feeder is pretty clear, many are unaware of the unintended consequences that come with providing a 24/7 all-you-can eat buffet to your local wildlife.
Spoiler alert - your backyard bird feeder isn’t just for the birds!
Rodent haven.
Rodents - for the sake of this article, encompassing mice, rats, and squirrels - are feeders of opportunity, and prolific hoarders.
In other words, they tend to stockpile whatever food sources are available; and the left-over droppings of seeds on the ground around feeders as a result of hungry birds will produce an ideal (and recurring) source of food for rodents. Due to its size and shape, bird seed is ideal for stockpiling.
Most rodents are also a prey species, and tend to harbor in areas where they feel safe. Bird feeders that are installed in close proximity to homes create an ideal micro-environment for these creatures - introducing safe harborage (the walls, garages, sheds, basements and attics of your home) in close proximity to a never-ending food source (your consistently refilled bird feeder!).
In the case of squirrels in particular, their ability to climb and manipulate roof joints to gain access to attics and soffits, poses an additional layer of vulnerability to your home.
And they’re incredibly enginuitive; we’ve all seen the great lengths with which bird-feeder owners will go to outsmart aggressive squirrels who develop a knack for emptying bird-feeders in a single sitting. In fact, countless manufacturers have made quite the profit on gizmos designed to deter the determined squirrel from infiltrating the bird seed cache!
In short, the installation of a bird feeder in close proximity to the home is essentially rolling out the welcome mat for your resident rodents.
Skunks, and Raccoons, and Bears - Oh, My!
Homes with basement crawl-spaces, porches, decks, sheds and other areas with dirt may be welcoming more than Cardinals and Blue Birds to to their back-yard oasis.
There are plenty of mid-sized urban wildlife that will take full advantage of a free meal close to a potential denning location. Skunks, raccoons, opossums, and many others will readily stop at bird-feeders on their nightly forage.
Raccoons are just one of several species that will readily scavange around bird feeders. Innocent enough until these crafty critters start checking out your home for a place to “shack up” next to the free-flowing bird seed buffet. (Photo | Jamez Picard)
Much like rodents, these mid-sized critters want to harbor close to a recurring food source; which means your deck, porch or basement may now be an enticing locale for skunks, opossums and others. While they may seem cute and fuzzy - these wild species have the potential to spread disease, parasites, and fecal waste as byproducts of their “extended stay”.
Particularly in winter, New Hampshire’s snow-covered backyards read like a roadmap of foot traffic from creatures of all species and sizes; and nine times out of ten, that foot traffic leads to and from the hanging bird feeder.
Additionally, the NH Fish & Game Department is known for their slogan “a fed bear is a dead bear”. The department handles countless human/bear conflict complaints annually, and routinely implores residents to take down bird feeders that may habituate bears to the “lavish” high-calorie digs of urban human presence.
Hungry, Hungry… predators?
Passionate “birders” may not realize that the implementation of bird feeders could also pose risk to the birds they enjoy seeing.
The consistent re-filling of bird feeders creates a “watering hole” effect that may bring birds of many species from far and wide. This high-traffic patterning is great for casual viewing, but can attract attention from more than just birds…
Predators, such as hawks, owls, and bobcats, have adapted to bird patterns and will readily stake out over bird feeders in urban settings - preying upon the songbirds that visit to feed on the dispensing seeds. While the predator-prey relationship is a normal and natural aspect of our wild world, excessive feeding of birds by humans has the potential to create unnatural habitation and unrealistic patterning - as the saying goes, like shooting fish in a barrel.
Six-legged Invaders.
Indian Meal Moth (Photo | Kaldari)
Its not just birds and wildlife that are attracted to your bird seed hoard.
Grain pests, such as indian meal moths, weevils, and a plethora of stored-product pest beetles will also be attracted to the seeds and grains found in your bird seed materials.
Bird seed storage should be strongly considered - with properly closing and sealing containers for stored seed, as well as locale, such as storing bird seed in areas away from the home so as to avoid introducing a potential infestation.
Have Your Birds; and feed them too!
Fear not enthusiastic birders! You can, in fact have your birds and feed them too!
That is, provided you follow a few steps to manage your bird feeders in a way that also protects your home and property.
Install feeders away from the home. Bird feeders should be installed at least 25-30 feet from your home. Further if you can enjoy viewing your birds from a distance. Many mice species in particular will feed up to 30 feet from where they nest.
Avoid overfilling your feeders. This will help reduce the consistency with which fresh seed is available, thus reducing habitation from non-bird species.
Reduce/clean spilled seed. The most common attractant to creatures other-than-birds is the spilled mess of seeds left on the ground. By cleaning/removing uneaten seed, you can greatly reduce scavengers on the ground such as mice, rats, skunks and others.
Choose a less-messy presentation. Suet cakes and mealworm dispensers are great alternatives to traditional sunflower seeds. Granted, these presentations are selective to certain bird species, but they are also less attractive to pest species due to their lack of waste spilled on the ground. Additionally, spend the money on a feeder that can contain spillage and wasted seed, so as to reduce ground accumulation of seed for foraging pests.
Store bird seed materials away from the home. In the case of grain pests like moths and beetles, as well as household mice, it is strongly urged that bird seed be stored in areas away from the home so as to minimize the risk of an infestation introduced into your home. The vast majority of meal moth outbreaks I’ve found in my experience can be traced back to improperly stored bird seeds and grains.
These suggestions are just some of the ways you can reduce the presence of household pests and habituated wildlife organically, without the use of chemicals. Part of any Integrated Pest Management program starts with changing human habits and addressing conducive conditions!
Having trouble with rodents? Think something other than birds is attracted to your bird feeder? Contact Monadnock Pest & Wildlife today for an inspection and consultation on how to better protect your home from mice, rats, and wayward wildlife!
