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Bird feeders causing weeds?

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  • Hi-ya. I am after a solution in our garden. I live in a house with a rather ornate garden, the owner is (quite rightly) very garden proud. But I am a bit over enthusiastic with bird feeding - I just love them. however as you can probably imagine I am the cause of a large amount of random sunflower growths and other "weed's" and random grasses.

    We don't believe in Microwaves at all, they surly strip some of the goodness out of anything they heat. and it would not be the place to shove an unsightly stone or plastic tray... around the ground under the feeder area is a flower bed with very pretty flowers- amongst my dropped seed gorilla gardening. they also form clumps of stubborn stuff that forms a lump... Don't really want to move feeder - in ideal location in terms of view from Kitchen and Summer house.

    So any great ideas would be greatly received - No microwave, No big rocks, no nasty plastic trays... Any help ??? - Please and Thank you 

  • AlieshAliesh Posts: 179

    I recently heard of similar thing to the microwave tecnique

    Just spread seed on a baking tray and place in a warm oven for a few mins 

    ( not tried it myself ) 

  • mdw84mdw84 Posts: 105

    Laurie - I don't think there is anything else that could be done, just let the birds do their thing

  • Yes thick grass that digs up like a mat.  I was searching for a bird feeder base that catches the seed but have so far failed to find one.  There is 'no mess' seed but it is more expensive than the ordinary seed

  • hi laurie, you can buy bird seed called no grow i get mine at my local pet shop

  • I use Feed and Weed for nyger seed on the grass. I notice the birds do eat the seed spilt on the slabs including the goldfinches who can't crowd onto the long feeder. I got a hook screw and tray with the very expensive slit feeder, but the screw did not fit.  The feed and weed is only to done when grass is growing, but I keep it up as long as the nyger seed keep growing.

    Roberta

  • DiddydoitDiddydoit Posts: 801
    Can you buy this treated seed form any good pet shop, and how does it actually work?
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,611

    It is heat treated to stop it germinating.

    I get my bird food from these people, and they deliver it.

    http://www.gardenbird.co.uk/ultiva-finest-blend.html

     

  • ClaringtonClarington Posts: 4,949

    We got the glue gun out and stuck a plastic plate (aka of the cheap picnic variety) to the bottom of our feeder. It halves the amount of food that seems to drop on the floor. Its not perhaps the prettiest of things but it works just fine if anyone is looking for a 99p cure.

  • I have recently purchased a nice feeder station and love watching the goldfinches enjoying the nyger seed,but oh the mess!! Also the pigeons are taking over,even trying to get the seed from the little slits on the feeder,which scares the finches away,so the pigeons are my main concern,any ideas?

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