Note: Because I recently changed how I store my birdseed, I updated my original post to add a third way to store seed.
I like labeling mine for a few reasons. .
Ellen is a busy mom of a 22-year-old son and 27-year-old daughter. But heavy plastic storage bins like those sold in home improvement stores can also work well if chewing isnt an issue.
Promise!).
You can store bird feed indoors but it needs to be kept cool so make sure its away from radiators or warm pipes and isnt somewhere that is likely to get condensation or damp.
If feasible, store larger quantities of seeds inside locking boxes or garages in a convenient place where feeders can be retrieved easily. But if stored, for example, in a hot shed, adjustments might be needed.
Proper storage will help keep your birdseed safe for your feathered friends to enjoy. (Mice can chew through even thick plastic.)
Be sure to store them in a cool, dry place, so they dont melt.
They are such a pain to get rid of!
Because these tins are on shelves, the side labels are easiest to see.
Yes, it can go bad if exposed to heat or sunlight for longer periods. And one more metal container originally held a bulk order of desiccant packets (used when I produced a monthly paper magazine.)
If youd like to work together, email info@other-peoples-pets.com to chat. If you are the only one filling the feeders, you may not need to label them.
I also dont have to worry about seed getting excessively hot or it getting wet and then rotting before I can use it.
The plastic bags that bird seed comes in are not airtight. Sharp unpleasant smells are a definite warning sign that your bird food should be discarded.
If you want to know what is the best bird food storage container, read on and well share our top tips on how to keep your wild bird food in tip-top condition.
Although the seeds may be cold at this point, they thaw quickly, even before the birds return to your feeders to eat.
Over time, the seed will go bad if its not kept in a cool, dry place. I only use these links for products Ive used myself unless specifically noted otherwise. Thanks for sharing that.
To attach them to my kitchen tins, I used clear packing tape to attach it to the side of the tins.
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Nancie. Store seeds in a cool and dry area to keep it freshest.
With a little planning, you can easily keep your bird seed fresh.
These large tins were found around my house. I should be able to post them here either today or tomorrow. When I come home from the bird store, I carry the fifty-pound bag to just inside my kitchen door and set it down on the floor. 
), If you have mice around and they find a way inside, you may develop a mouse problem. All storage containers should have a well-fitting lid to prevent insects and rodents from accessing your bird feed. Good luck with the mice. If you feed birds sunflower seeds or safflower seeds, you need to store the seed in a cool, dry place.
Sunflower Stored in an Old Metal Container, Mealworms and Millet Stored in Old Christmas Treat Tins, Birdseed Stored in Large Plastic Storage Containers, Birdseed and Peanuts Stored in Galvanized Metal Cans.
The storage of bird seeds is different depending on the climate. 
The best way to store bird food is in a cool, dry place out of reach of pests.
Doing it this way kept my label sheets clean.
I found out for me using large coolers with wheels work really well .
The first clue that your bird food has gone bad is if the wild birds visiting your garden dont seem to be eating it anymore! Two started life as big holiday gift tins of popcorn and candy. When storing birdseed inside, you could go with either metal or heavy plastic storage bins.
(I have used both. But once the kitchen
To make my labels, I printed out a picture of each seed labeled with the name of the seed on regular paper.
You can find suet cakes at your local hardware or feed store.
Your bird food containers should also have lids on them to keep your bird feed fresh and prevent contamination.
If your bird food has gone bad and you are reusing a container, its best to thoroughly wash and disinfect the container after disposing of the old feed before you refill it with fresh bird food.
I check my feeders each day, either by looking out my windows or doing a quick walk through the feeder area. Musty odours suggest mould or mildew from damp seed. Done! If I didnt use that much, Id choose a smaller size. There are many different types of storage containers for bird seed.
I have not yet labeled the newer galvanized cans. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ellen LaFleche-Christian and Other Peoples Pets with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Containers close to feeders makes refilling bird feeders easier and many people choose a sheltered outdoor location like a garage, shed or storage box. I keep about 6 large bags of different types of bird food in our outbuilding and have had the mice get into them before.
I love seeing birds eating in the window feeders in the winter. Birdseed & Binoculars is the blog of Nancie Waterman. Hi Steve,
(For more on purchasing birdseed, see my Where To Buy Birdseed post. How do you store your birdseed?
While you might be tempted to just keep seed in the paper or plastic bags they came in, there can be problems with that, even if you are storing it inside away from damp and critters.
All content of this site is copyrighted Nancie Waterman 2013-2021 unless credited to someone else (who probably then has copyright on it.) Taking temperature and humidity into account is a good point. How to Choose Birdseed For Backyard Birds, Want to read more posts about birds?
Choose a storage method that works best for you and your family.
Basement seed storage will work for large containers.
Remember that mice and squirrels may chew through your plastic storage containers.
feeders.
Storing birdseed in your garage is a great way to keep the seed fresh and dry.
To fill the feeders, you obviously need to get the birdseed from the storage containers to the feeders. If you are concerned about wild animals or mice, make sure it has a tightly fitting lid.
The exception is my thinner nyjer tube A cold area of your home or garage will work for large quantities. Shes a proud Mommy to 2 shelter kitties.
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You can also do a sniff-test of your bird food.
Storing birdseed inside is the most convenient option for me, with the seed easy to access. Fat balls or suet for birds should be stored separately from other types of bird feed (such as seeds) as these have a shorter shelf life, especially in warm or damp weather.
Enter your email address to receive email notifications of new posts. Sturdy plastic bins, and galvanized metal containers are popular choices for bird food storage.
never mix old and new seed together.).
I wanted to be sure I could fit it all inside the cans.
Other problems with improper storage are that it can lead to spills of bird food and make refilling your bird feeders messy, tricky and time-consuming!
So now I use the medium-sized can for peanuts in the shell and the larger cans for sunflower hearts/chips, safflower and nyjer seed. If you are storing it outside, look for galvanized metal that wont rust.
The best way to keep these seeds fresh is in the refrigerator or freezer.
Its important to store the seed in temperate, dry conditions to keep your bird food fresh.
We love making homemade bird treats for the wild birds that visit ourfeeders. We used a. We are still not sure how they got into the house to begin with but they found the basement seed storage irresistible. So what is the best bird food storage container? I can empty the bags right from the tailgate of my truck directly into the coolers, then wheel it right where I need them. Smaller containers can be stored in the kitchen or near the door if they are attractive.
Once I have everything filled, I take
My own seed is stored in my basement that never gets very hot so it isnt a problem.
Thanks!
For those, I use the jar to instead fill an old plastic Dont have a well-sized decorative tin that will work for seed storage? Another large decorative tin was a gift. So maybe this is really a pro. Learn how your comment data is processed.
My suggestion is either a metal or heavy plastic storage container. A cool, dark, well-ventilated area between 8 and 10 degrees celsius is ideal and you should choose storage containers with deep sides and a lid.
I lined the bins up in a row and it was quick and easy to lift a lid and scoop out seed.
takes about ten minutes each day, maybe a little more if I need to
outside with less spilling.
Ellen LaFleche-Christian and Other Peoples Pets, 2015-2022.
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Another problem with poor bird food storage is that your bird food may be exposed to damp or extreme temperatures and begin to go bad. During the winter, you can store seeds that the birds can consume for four weeks. I can carry three of these filled jars in each hand outside without spilling seed.
(A secure lid keeps them inside the storage container .
If you give a little thought to setting up a convenient and easy to use birdseed storage system, youll find that filling up the feeders doesnt have to be a chore.
Bird seeds must be kept away from animals and insects that might get into the container, such as squirrels and raccoons.
Sigh. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ae92c7b228a0d8e5eb80506d491ef12d" );document.getElementById("gc44ad9799").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Look out for signs that rodents may have got to your bird feed such as damaged containers, teeth marks or signs of chewing and even trails of bird food leading away from the container or rodent droppings nearby. The type you use will depend on how many bird feeders you use regularly.
Use galvanized metal cans with the added protection of a locking or tight fitting lid.
So one day while picking up seed at my local bird store, I also purchased a medium-sized 20-gallon galvanized metal storage can with a tight-fitting lid (left in photo above.) In winter, I also buy white proso millet in twenty-pound bags.
until you open the lid. Storing sunflower seeds or safflower seeds, How to store large quantities of bird seed. You can also inspect your bird feed for telltale clues.
Labels make it clear that what is inside is something you need free access to.
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When it is very hot, it is better to store a quantity that the birds can consume for two weeks during the summer season.
document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This method prevents the seed from spoilage because of humidity and hot conditions. The small fees they provide help cover my site costs.
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(Also see Gwens comment below.) You can also use plastic bins or a large plastic container with tight-fitting lids, but animals like squirrels or mice may chew through the plastic if you store birdseed outdoors. Incorrectly stored bird food can lead to a several problems.
If you fill four or more feeders, metal storage containers will be more convenient. I have a lot of bird feeders and fill them with a lot of birdseed year round, but especially during winter months. Clean out your feeders and add fresh seeds every five to 10 days.
Typically it is cheapest to purchase birdseed locally in the largest bags available.
Hi Gwen,
Birdseed costs money and if you want it to last and not get moldy or be eaten by mice or other creatures, you need to store it properly. If you regularly feed the wild birds that visit your garden, youll want to make sure you never run out of bird feed.
You can do it in a few minutes and then get back to watching the birds coming to eat at your feeders!
Check out these bird seed storage ideas to see what works best. Each holds at least a weeks worth of birdseed, more or less, depending on what is in them, the time of year and the size of the tin.
What Are the Best Ways to Store Bird Feed.
This can be dangerous and even fatal to birds that eat it. Your email address will not be published.
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Mine carries small galvanized metal pails with lids that can securely store small amounts of seed.
Large galvanized metal garbage cans with lids are great for people who like to buy bird seed in bulk in a large bag. . (These are the three cans on the right in the photo above.) Seed pours out of these jars into most
Then I recycle the paper seed bag.
The bulk of my birdseed purchases go into larger storage containers in the basement. If for some reason I couldnt do that, my second choice would be inside our dry garage which is closed up to keep out wildlife.
Bird food containers come in all shapes and sizes and can be made of plastic or metal.
This means youll need to find a safe and convenient way to store your bird food supply to keep it fresh and easily to hand when its time to top up your bird feeders.
I also touch on bird photography, stories about birds and birding field trips. Similarly, if you use live bird food such as live mealworms, these will need to be kept at a specific temperature to prevent them hatching into beetles. If Im stocked up, I can just fill them (See photo below.) Metal storage containers are a good choice if you worry about wildlife chewing holes in a container to get to the seed.
I am more conservative about nyjer seed though because American Goldfinches will shun stale nyjer and it dries out relatively quickly.
Keep the seed in a cool and dry area to keep it freshest.
When it comes to storing bird seed, the main thing is to keep it away from moisture and pests.
clean and re-fill a birdbath too. Feed stores recommend that seeds can be frozen long-term to stay good longer if they have to. You can also buy special bird seed storage containers with a built-in moisture and pest proof seal.
This will help keep the seed fresh and dry.
And during snow storms, I dont have to dig a path to an outdoor storage location just to get birdseed. Because the big bins in the basement were lined up with the tops easiest to see, it made the most sense to put the labels on the lids.
If you buy a large bag of seeds, you will want larger containers.
Because I can usually go through fifty pounds of nyjer in a month, I buy it in the big bags from a local bird store that has very fresh high quality seed. And if I swapped out seed, it was easy to change the label. The point is, if you have a suitable storage container already, clean it out well and use it. . Clean out your feeder and add fresh seeds every five to 10 days. So I buy sunflower hearts, safflower and nyjer seed in fifty-pound bags and peanuts in the shell in twenty-five pound bags from my local bird store. Top 10 yellow birds in Britain and the UK to attract in your garden, Celebrate National Bird Day with some urban birding, World Wildlife Day; How To Attract Wildlife To Your Garden, 7 Ways to Get your Children Involved With The Big Garden Birdwatch, Garden and nature crafts you can do with the kids, 5 things to do to rewild your garden in time for spring, How birdwatching activities can benefit your mental health, How can you do your bit for wildlife conservation, How to Keep Your Bird Feeder Clean and Hygienic. No lifting the heavy bags.
from the kitchen storage and bring them outside. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.
Any chance your labels are available to download?
One of the major issues is that bird food such as sunflower seeds, peanuts and other wild bird seed is not only delicious for birds, its also highly attractive to pests, such as rats, mice and insects! Watertight lids are ideal as theyll protect birdseed from the elements if stored outside. Best metal storage containers for birdseed storage.
Even on wet, snowy days, I have a dry place to get all the seed ready to go outside. I love watching the birds at home.
(But stairs are good exercise right? Nancie. Good birdseed storage containers make it easy for people to use different seed varieties to feed wild birds.
What type of storage containers should you use to store birdseed? As you attract birds to your yard, you may be purchasing a lot more birdseed to feed them.
With tight-fitting lids, these tins have a second life as storage for seed. Thats a really clever idea!
How should you store birdseed for backyard birds? Unfortunately, my lovely plastic bin storage hit a snag this past year: mice. Storing birdseed in an airtight container helps keep it fresh.
You may alternatively be able to find decorative metal tins that look nice for storing seed inside.
The mice started caching seed and peanuts here and there in the house.
(Note: In the comments below, Laura requested copies of my labels that can be downloaded and printed. I use a bunch of 30-ounce plastic jars that originally held Archer Farms trail mix (from Target.)
), First, I have several large tightly lidded metal tins in my kitchen that sit on sturdy bottom shelves or on the floor.
If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. If your birdseed isnt stored correctly, pests can easily find their way to your supply and help themselves. Feeding birds in winter is a great way to enjoy your garden year-round. Our cats were quite thrilled with these entertaining (to them) newcomers but my husband and I were much less thrilled.
(One tin holds dried mealworms instead of seed.).
For myself, I dont have enough space in my kitchen to store fifty-pounds of each type of seed, so I store what I have space for here in metal tins. Then I slid my printed seed picture/name sheets into each pocket via its open top.
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Using the right containers can make all of the difference. The better option is to pour the bird seed into an airtight container when you get home from the store.
Its so relaxing to sit and watch them flit from one spot to another. ), Ive found that most birdseed bought fresh will easily last at least a few months when properly stored. Without the lids, I find these are a nice size to scoop out a decent amount of seed, usually enough to top off or fill one or more feeders.
And second, if we go out of town, someone else might need to find the right type of seed.
When considering what is the best bird food storage container think about where youll keep it.
(Paying less per pound for a bigger bag of birdseed that will dry out before you can use it all is a false economy.). If you dont have a garage, you can store seed for your bird feeder in plastic containers. If you only buy ten or twenty pounds or less of birdseed at a time, this type of storage may be enough.
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What a great, detailed post!
Birdseed bulk can vary a bit, but I could fit at least fifty pounds of any of the types of seed I use in one of these containers and in some cases quite a bit more. First, I learned the hard way that if other people dont know what Im storing in the low flat-topped plastic bins, they might think its ok to stack other things on top of them.
Its a bit startling to open a seed bin to have little mouse eyes staring up at you. Now that Ive shared my bird seed storage ideas and tips with you, check out my post on how to make wild bird treats from birdseed.
But I needed to temporarily put the jars I use as scoops on the tops of the bins, which could damage or dirty the labels.
Choose small bird seed storage containers for one or two bird feeders. I could also create special labels for someone else filling the feeders for me while I was away if they needed more instructions.
This keeps both the stored birdseed and me drier.
Then whatever is left of the bag, I carry (or drag if it is still heavy) downstairs to the basement where I pour the rest of the seed into its bin.
They may not keep your seeds safe outside.
A temperature around 50 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for storing bird seed. . And, it will keep other critters like mice out.
Store the seeds outdoors if you have cooler weather or if there is no area for the animals to get inside. Nancie, Your email address will not be published. And you want it to be convenient and easy to access. These larger cans hold thirty-one gallons and I think should be able to hold (or almost hold) two fifty pound bags of seed. If the container is damaged in any way (for example, its been chewed through) then its better to repair or replace it before filling it with new birdseed. You could of course also use adhesive labels, either printed using a computer or hand written.
(You could do something very something similar with sheet protector pages if you have some of those around the house.). These are great for storing large quantities of bird seed.
You can find many storage options for birdseed.
Labelling your bird food storage container is a great idea so you know what type of bird feed is inside, or if you store several different types of wild bird food, choose clear containers for storage so you can easily identify which is which. Smaller bird food storage containers are lighter and easier to move so are a good choice if you only store small amounts of bird feed or if you need to carry the container outside to your bird feeder, whereas larger containers are ideal for storing greater amounts of bird food. Whatever storage container you choose, make sure it is kept in a cool, dry place. So, for the big storage bins downstairs, I taped a clear vinyl job ticket holder to the lid of each bin using clear packing tape on the three closed sides.
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So I decided to get three more galvanized metal cans, this time from the local home improvement store (Home Depot.) I store my birdseed inside my house.
Suet is a high-fat bird food that is perfect for cold weather.
Here is how I store my birdseed.
.
Because I store my birdseed inside, it reduces the chance of outdoor critters getting into it. (Note: Mice did recently find their way into our house. stock is depleted, I go downstairs to fill up the jars. It makes the most sense to buy a container that fits the size of your bag of birdseed. Required fields are marked *. Hi Laura, You can, but its not the best way to store bird seed. Home Bird Seed, Suet and Other Foods Bird Seed Storing Birdseed: Three Easy Ways.
Be sure to keep your metal storage containers somewhere where they wont rust. The whole process typically Got a question for us?
Whichever style of bird food storage container you choose, you should ensure it has a lid to deter pests and keep your wild bird food fresh.
I dont have room to store all my bulk birdseed on the first floor, so some is stored in the kitchen and the rest downstairs in the basement.
I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. If you use an affiliate link on my site to go to Amazon and make a purchase within 24 hours, I earn a small fee which helps offset blog related costs. Once I know how much of each seed I need, I go inside and gather up my empty jars from their shelf in the kitchen and fill them with whatever seed I need.
Check with your local bird store. Even though the bins were very heavy plastic, they chewed through the side of the sunflower heart bin. Check for insects (alive or dead) or other signs of an infestation. I also fill any feeders that need that type of seed.
Once inside, I open up the bag and bring one of my kitchen tins over near the bag. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. The pitcher spout helps me fill the tubes ), Sometimes moths hang out in seed bags, so storing them inside can bring moths inside. This replaces the previous post. Should I store bird seed in the plastic bag? You want to keep it clean and dry but also secure so other wildlife doesnt get into the seed. I just checked and I do have my seed labels saved as jpg files.
(I later purchased another of these for millet and one of the small pails for peanut hearts.(.