Helpful Tips

Feeding Tips

To maximize the number of species that visit your yard, keep a variety of feeders filled, offer multiple seed types, and feed year-round.  Nature’s Way Bird Products offers many styles of bird feeders (cedar, bamboo, tube, and nectar) for various types of seeds and feed, and many of our feeders offer spacing that will attract larger birds to your backyard.  Always offer quality seed in your feeders to increase the number and variety of birds with less wasted seed.  Store extra seed in a clean, dry container and always check for mold before placing in the feeder.  Also consider gardening and landscaping, including water features or birdbaths, to duplicate natural habitats as a way to entice birds to visit your yard throughout the seasons. 

 

What type of seed/feed?

While birds sometimes surprise us with their seed/food choices, the seed listed below typically attract these birds:

  • Mixed seeds: Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Titmice, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Finches, Jays, Juncos
  • Sunflower: Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Titmice, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Juncos
  • Thistle (Nyger): Finches, Siskins
  • Suet Cake: Woodpeckers, Jays, Titmice, Chickadees, Nuthatches
  • Nectar: Hummingbirds, Orioles
  • Grape Jelly/Orange halves:  Orioles
  • Mealworms:  Bluebirds, Wrens, Chickadees
  • Peanuts:  Jays, Woodpeckers
  • Chopped apples/dried fruit:  Woodpeckers, Mockingbirds, Catbirds, Robins

Ultimately the size, shape, and type of a feeder will determine the type of seed used and the birds that will visit that particular feeder.

 

Hummingbird Nectar Recipe

The formula for hummingbird food is simple: about one part white granulated sugar to four parts water. Boil the water for approximately 2 minutes, add the sugar, and stir to dissolve thoroughly. We do not recommend adding red dye to the nectar mixture. Cover and allow to cool before using or pouring into a clean storage bottle. A large batch of nectar can be made and stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. This makes refilling the feeder easy so you won't mind doing it every few days.

You must change the nectar frequently - at least twice a week. The need to change the nectar depends on the temperatures, where the feeder is hung, and number and frequency of hummingbirds feeding at your feeder. If the birds are not emptying your feeder between cleanings, it's unnecessary and wasteful to fill it completely. Fill only with the amount of nectar they will consume in a few days. Over time you will get a feel for how much nectar to put in the feeder. If you notice that the nectar is turning milky, or that white strings or black spots are growing in it, change it more often.

 

Where should I place my Nature’s Way feeder?

The best way to determine where most birds prefer to have their dinner in your yard is by experimenting.  Here are a few things to consider:

  • Placing your feeder (cedar) near natural cover (such as trees, shrubs, and other vegetation) provides nearby shelter for birds to view their feeding area so they can see any predators while waiting for their turn to feed.  Many birds like to bring the seed to a safe area to eat it.  But be careful not to put your feeder too close as it can provide cats with ambush spots and jump-off points to catch birds, as well as squirrels easier access to the feeders!  It is best to keep the feeder about 10-12 feet from any tree or obstacle.
  • Placing feeders near flower beds or planters may help you attract more birds to your yard.  The bright colors and seeds of flowers attract many birds, such as finches and hummingbirds (nectar).
  • Consider placing your birdfeeder (bamboo) in quiet, yet convenient, areas sheltered from wind, rain and snow so the birds in your yard can feel safe and comfortable while they eat, and you won’t mind filling it in bad weather!  The south side of the house is generally the warmest, but areas buffered by trees and shrubs also offer good placement areas.
  • You will want to place the feeder (tube) so you can observe the birds through a window or from your outdoor living spaces, but you will want to consider the “mess” factor!  When feeding birds there will be feathers, seed shells, and droppings. 

When initially putting up a new feeder, be patient!  Birds are creatures of habit and may not take to a new feeder right away.  But once they find it, you will enjoy many hours of bird watching!

 

Why clean feeders?

No matter what type of feeder or type of food you provide, cleaning birdfeeders is an easy way to keep your backyard flock healthy and avoid spreading diseases among birds.  Dirty feeders allow the seed to spoil and harbor mold and bacteria.  Rancid seed can attract unwanted wildlife such as mice, rats, raccoons, and insects.  Spoiled seed can cause wood decay and difficulty in cleaning the feeder which may cause additional damage.  Caked seed can clog feeding ports, hinges and other parts causing it to crack, warp or break.  Feeders should be cleaned 1-2 times a month depending on its frequency of use.  Nectar feeders should be cleaned 1-2 times a week.  Clean birdfeeders and feeding areas will attract more birds and keep all backyard birds healthier for you to enjoy!

 

Feeder Cleaning Tips

Nature’s Way Bird Products has made maintaining clean feeders easier with our innovative and patented bird products!

Nature’s Way Bird Products’ Bamboo and Cedar Series features feeders with the patented Fresh Seed™ tray.  The Fresh Seed™ tray keeps seed fresh by allowing water to drain and air to flow freely.  When necessary, the rust-free seed tray lifts out easily for quick and thorough cleanings.

Nature’s Way Bird Products’ tube feeders feature the innovative and patented Twist & Clean™ and Easy Clean technology.  Simply twist and pull to remove the feeder’s base, ports, and perches, as well as the ends of the innovative horizontal tube feeders, for ease of cleaning.  The deluxe tube feeder models are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning of the entire feeder. 

Nature’s Way Bird Products’ Nectar Series features innovative Easy Fill & Clean™ glass feeders that can be taken out of their decorative hangers for cleaning.  The Easy Fill & Clean™ feeders’ lids or bases and flowers can be removed, allowing the entire feeder to be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.  Or if desired, the nectar feeders’ featured extra-wide openings allow for easy hand cleaning.

 

If you should choose not to use the dishwasher for cleaning the Nature’s Way Bird Products' feeders, or for feeders that cannot be washed in the dishwasher, feeders can be sanitized with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts hot water, or with a mild solution of unscented dish detergent and warm water.  Rinse thoroughly with water and let dry completely before refilling.  Washings can be less frequent if you give your feeder a quick cleaning every time the feeders are refilled:  scrape, dump, or shake out any seed clumps and excess debris before refilling the feeder.

 

Where should I place my Nature’s Way Bird Products birdhouse?

Your immediate habitat, local birds, and size and placement of the birdhouse are important in attracting birds.  Here are a few simple rules to follow when selecting and placing your birdhouse:

  • Research the type of bird(s) you are trying to attract.  This will assist you in purchasing the proper type/size of birdhouse as well as the proper type of habitat to place it in. Nature's Way Bird Products' cedar and bamboo houses will attract different species of birds depending on where the houses are placed.
  • Position your birdhouse so it will be relatively safe from predators such as squirrels, cats, and snakes.
  • Face your birdhouse away from the prevailing winds in your area to keep rain from entering the box.
  • Provide a nearby perch to allow the birds to stop and take a look around before making their way to their nest.
  • Consider placing multiple birdhouses.  This gives birds the opportunity to choose the house that suits them best.
  • Offer food and water.  Having a bird bath or pond and a bird feeder will provide the birds needed food and water for themselves and their growing young.
  • Areas where pesticides and herbicides are used should be avoided.  They are harmful to birds and decrease or eliminate the insects many birds depend on for food.
  • Make sure your birdhouses are in place well before the breeding season begins. 

Be patient!  Don’t be discouraged if the birds do not begin nesting in your box immediately; sometimes it takes time for the birds to find it.  Wait a significant amount of time (a year if you’re patient enough) before moving it to another location.

 

Cleaning Bird Houses

An important part of attracting birds with nesting boxes is maintenance.  Birdhouses and nesting boxes should be cleaned at least once each year.  Nature’s Way Bird Products’ cedar and bamboo birdhouses feature clean-out doors making it easy to remove the old nest and any debris that has collected.  At minimum, cleaning should be done prior to nesting season in the spring; some recommend cleaning the nesting boxes after each brood has fledged.  This type of maintenance will reduce bird parasite problems and help keep the nest box useful longer.

 

Where should I place my Nature’s Way Bird Products' Beneficial Insect House

Place the insect house as close as possible to the area you are wanting the insects’ help pollinating and protecting, or where you have noticed the desired insects’ activity – a flower bed, garden, or blossoming trees or bushes.
 
The insects prefer a warm, dry place protected from the wind and rain with exposure to plenty of sunlight. Morning sun is important; it gets the insects warmed up and out earlier each day and helps with an earlier hatch for the bees in the spring.  The house should be hung at about eye level on a secure fence or arbor post to keep it from moving too much when windy. Be sure that the front of the house is facing away from the typical incoming
rain patterns in your area.
 
When initially putting up a new insect house, be patient! Monitor the insect house for a few weeks for any activity, and be aware of what insects are in your garden or landscape. Remember, most insects will be out foraging and pollinating during the day and may not return to the house until nightfall. If after a few weeks of close monitoring you do not notice any wanted insect activity, the location may not be suitable. Take another look around your garden or yard and re-locate your insect house to another sunny location for another try.

For more information on these beneficial insects, visit our blog

 

What should I do with my Nature's Way Bird Products' Beneficial Insect House during the winter? 

The house can be left outside over winter – this mimics the natural environment these insects would encounter.  

If there is concern about exposure to extremely harsh elements or predation from birds, the entire house can be brought into an unheated garage. We do caution against putting the house in too warm of an environment as this could cause an early or premature hatch.

 

Where should I place my Nature’s Way Bird Products' bat house?

Due to the variety of mounting applications or locations, we do not include any mounting hardware for bat houses.  The bat house can be mounted in a couple of different ways. In either mounting style, it is generally recommended the house be mounted 15-20 feet above the ground with a south-eastern to south-western exposure. 

The house can be flush mounted directly onto a building such as a barn or house by using screws that are approximately 1/2" longer than the back of the house. We recommend using 4 screws, one in each corner, and screwed in through the front of the house and into the wood of the building/structure. Pilot holes can be drilled but typically are not necessary with cedar.  We do not generally recommend mounting on a tree as this provides easy access for predators to disturb the bat house.

An alternate mounting option would be to pole mount the bat house by using a pole/pipe and pipe clamps that one can typically find in the plumbing section of the local hardware, plumbing, or fencing store (think top rail of chain link fence). Two pipe clamps can be mounted around the pole and screwed into the back side of the bat house, one near the top above the bat chamber and one on the landing portion below the bat chamber. 

 

LED Troubleshooting 

First, be sure to activate the battery by gently pulling up and out on the clear plastic packaging tab.  Then, make sure the plastic protector from the top of the LED unit covering the solar charging panel has been removed and the light switch is in the ‘ON’ position. Allow an initial charge of a full 8-12 hours in the sun (preferably 2 full days in the sun).  

Check that the solar panel is clear of any dirt or debris.

Ensure the feeder is displayed in a location where the solar panel (not the feeder) gets a minimum of 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Keep in mind, if the weather has been cloudy or rainy this can temporarily impact the ability to recharge.  

A simple test you can do before replacing the solar light/rechargeable batteries: Place your solar light under direct sunshine (or an indoor light) for a day or two and see what happens. If, after this duration, the illumination time has returned to normal, it means that the solar panel was not getting enough light from the sun.

If you are certain the LED solar light is getting enough sun to charge, a check can be done to see if it is the battery or the light that is not working.  You will need a small-head Phillips screwdriver and a new (AAA) battery.  Using the Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the 3 small screws to open the case. Use caution when opening the case that no wires are pulled loose. Carefully remove the battery from the LED light and insert the new AAA battery. Cover the solar panel with your hand to make it appear to be dark. If the light works using the regular AAA battery, it is the battery that needs replaced. A new rechargeable battery can be purchased at a local store and inserted. Be aware that the LED light/new battery will need a full charge to work properly. 

 

For any additional information about Nature’s Way Bird Products, please visit our blog or feel free to Contact Us!