Do you put bird seed in a birdhouse

Bird seeds belong in bird feeders only or are put on the ground, seed mixes put in an enclosed birdhouse will not only be missed, but can invite predators.

You do not put bird seeds in a birdhouse because right now, birds are looking to nest in a new site, rather than prioritize seeds. Birds who come to a birdhouse specifically to seek out the seeds, are those not interested in nesting, and there is nothing you can do to force the issue without creating serious issues.

When putting up a birdhouse in our yards in an attempt to attract a variety of wild birds to nest, it really can be frustrating when birds don't show up soon enough.

Its only then does the temptation to add something to the wooden box kick in, as you feel it will attract bird house birds a little sooner than later. Let me tell you now... you must never add anything into or on a birdhouse.

Birdhouses are designed to be a home for wild birds only, they aren't some kind of enclosed bird feeder contraption, that is made to store bird seed. plus additional bird feed which only belongs in a bird feeder or on the ground.

Adding wild bird seed mixes into the interior of a birdhouse can bring a whole lot of trouble early on, and later in the nesting season.

Birds can be tempting to bird feed in a birdhouse of which, they could enter to retrieve the food, but they will never, ever use this as an invitation to nest in the same box.

In fact, a birdhouse masquerading as a bird feeder will only deter all birdhouse birds like Houses Finches, Chickadees to Woodpeckers, and thus the wooden birdhouse will be completely ignored, as wild birds deem it unsuitable.

In addition to attracting wild birds who're likely to eat bird feed on the whim, adding bird feed to the interior of a birdhouse could also invite what would normally be bird feeder pests like squirrels - or later on when the nesting birds become trapped in a box containing bird seeds.

And believe me when I say squirrels who are currently visiting our yards, we will all find it difficult enough to keep squirrels out of birdhouses, as you'd have to affix a basic predator guard at the minimum.

Be sure wild birds are attracted to a birdhouse naturally by letting nature takes its course, only then can you be sure the conditions meet the demands of any particular birds.

Birdhouses are made for nesting birds come Spring which is where they'd build their own nest, using natural or artificial materials plucked out of the environment.

Its also worth remember, birds who want to nest in your birdhouse may not be seed-eating birds at all, like Bluebirds who primarily feed on worms. With that in mind, that isn't an invitation to pop dried mealworms into a birdhouse instead.

Birds need home, NOT food

Well, OK several birds who nest in birdhouses, can be the same species who regularly come to our bird feeders to eat seeds, like: Chickadees, Woodpeckers, Sparrows, Wrens, Titmouse and House Finches.

None of these common backyard birds are investigating a potential nesting site with bird feed in mind.

Right now, all birds looking at potential sites to raise their young aren't interested in feeding at this time, and are only trying to secure a safe and secure home.

Birds need a home with no time to waste, thus bird feed can wait as they pick your bird house or perhaps a cavity in a hole somewhere.

Never mix feeding with nesting, wild birds will prioritize finding a new birdhouse now while feeding later on, as soon as its lit up outdoors, and will feed again later and in between of seeking out a secure nesting site.

Bird seeds added to a bird house can indeed put off potential birdhouse birds, who will feel this wooden box that appears like a good site to nest in, is in fact a place where other birds come to feed.

Continue to invite wild birds

Don't give into the temptation of attracting wild birds to a birdhouse that has bird seeds added to it, which can just as easy by adding seeds via the opening roof or panel.

Its easy to fill a birdhouse with bird seeds just as it would be to replenish bird feeders, but you must keep food resources far and away from birdhouse locations.

When a particular birdhouse has been situated in your yard which is done so according to the conditions set forth of each bird species, allow enough time to pass for wild birds to come to your birdhouse naturally.

Adding bird seeds can indeed attract wild birds to a birdhouse naturally, but it won't be for them to continue on to finally nest in it.

Birds scope out birdhouses based on their specific requirements - among them size of the box and entry hole - but what is more important is the environment and distance off the ground, of which the birdhouse is situated in.

Bird seeds added to a birdhouse is a temporary measure that will only last for as long as the seed mixes are eaten, or probably ignored all together.

Can attract predators

You do not put bird seeds in a birdhouse for one specific reason, and this reason takes precedence over all other issues.

You see, to add bird seeds of all types of wild bird food to a wooden birdhouse, can inadvertently attract common predators to a birdhouse who can smell out the seeds, but will in turn end up killing or stealing the occupants eggs.

One specific predator would be a raccoon who will attempt to reach in a birdhouse to look for its next free meal.

And of all the different types of bird houses made for specific bird species, one or another can certainly provide a large enough entrance whole for predators like raccoon's and squirrels to access.

With all that in mind, I will recommend you utilize a wooden bird house with a predator guard affixed to the entry hole early on, to be sure the chicks and their parents remain safe for the duration of their stay in your box.

Now you know adding something as simple as wild bird seed mixes to a birdhouse interior can in fact attract a mix of pests and predators looking for food to eat - I hope you never feel the need to add bird feed to a birdhouse ever again.

Only things adding to a birdhouse would be natural debris wild birds bring too the house to make up their own nest within the box. Come to think about it, you can put wood chips into birdhouses intended for Chickadees and some Woodpeckers, among others.

Natural nests built within the birdhouses will later have to removed come the fall by you, to make way for new occupants to roost in winter or nest again come spring.

Rely on good fortune only

Never put bird seed in a birdhouse then when only good fortune that comes your way will hopefully see success in your particular birdhouse.

Certainly a birdhouse could end up seeing no nesting wild birds before the nesting season is over come the summer, but that is the nature of using a birdhouse which has a mixed success rates.

If you cannot attract wild birds to nest in your birdhouse this season then perhaps they'd come next year.

And that doesn't mean you have to make any dramatic changes to the birdhouse itself or the location of which it resides.

Don't attempt to force Finches to Woodpeckers, Sparrows to Chickadees to nest in a birdhouse, by add bird seed mixes. It doesn't work that way, wild birds will only nest in a birdhouse they feel safe to nest in.

And there is absolutely nothing you can do to extradite wild birds finally nesting in a box.

Birdhouses are made to benefit wild birds in many ways, and its only those who attempt to change that by selfishly tempting birds to what is an unsafe birdhouse that is filled with bird feed, that will in time attract others who want to eat it.

Summary

Bird seeds are a wild bird food that is used primarily in a corresponding seed feeder, or to use out of bird feeders in an attempt to attract birds to feed in your yard.

To add the same bird seeds to an enclosed birdhouse will never have the same effect, which for one reason this seed mix will simply be out of view.

In fact, the very opposite effect could happen as wild animals like squirrels and raccoon's who can smell out food - whilst having flies swarming rotting bird seeds - and so they will be attracted to the box which could end up cornering the nesting birds.

Adding seeds to the interior of a wooden birdhouse will only see them rot, and as the smell and mold is ever lasting, it will eventually invite predators.

Birds are currently seeking out birdhouses as a place to nest in come the spring, and there is absolutely nothing you can do to force wild birds to nest - with bird feed having no effect on their decision to stay.

Bird seeds are kept for seed feeders or throwing on the ground, with seed mixes never put in a birdhouse or on top of the roof as it happens.

Do try and distinguish between a place where birds nest to food that can invite a whole load of trouble.

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