Will heating birdseed stop it from sprouting when it hits the ground? See what experts say, and get more mess-free bird feeding options.
Should You Heat Birdseed to Stop Sprouting?
“Is it OK to bake birdseed so it doesn’t sprout?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Alice Ritchie of Salisbury, North Carolina.
Birding experts Kenn and Kimberly say, “For keeping things tidy in a garden, baking is one way to sterilize the seeds and cut down on weeds. Many different approaches work, but the most common suggestion is to spread out birdseed on a baking sheet in a layer less than an inch deep and bake at 300 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes.
Five minutes in a microwave oven may be just as effective. You can experiment with variations of these methods. As long as you don’t burn the seeds, you really can’t go wrong.
Also note that chopped sunflower hearts won’t germinate and imported Nyjer seed is usually sterilized.”
Keep the Area Under Bird Feeders Clean
One idea to prevent birdseed from sprouting underneath your feeders is to cover the surrounding ground with patio pavers or smooth landscaping stones. This type of setup allows for fast and easy cleanup using a rake, broom or wet/dry vacuum. Regularly removing spent seed hulls (which get soggy or moldy in rainy/humid weather) and bird droppings may reduce the spread of wild bird diseases and your exposure to fungal spores and bacteria.
Another option is to look for specially designed “no-mess” bird feeders. You can also try hanging a mesh seed-catching tray/hoop underneath the feeder or around the pole.
Hand pull any small volunteer plants that do appear when they are small.
Seed-free Options to Feed Birds
Offer sugar-water feeders for hummingbirds and fresh oranges or grape jelly to attract orioles and other fruit-loving songbirds. Clean hummingbird feeders regularly and make a fresh batch of homemade nectar every couple of days—here’s the recipe.
Also add native plants to your garden that attract both seed-lovers and pollinators.
About the Experts
Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman are the official bird experts for Birds & Blooms. They are the creators of the Kaufman Field Guide series and they lead birding trips all over the world.
