Steps for Cleaning a Bird House

Cleaning your bird houses is essential for good bird health and safety. Dirty bird houses can harbor rodents, insects, feather mites, fungus and bacteria that can spread disease to the birds. Ideally, a bird house should be cleaned after all babies have grown and left the home. Remove all old nesting material and scrape out any feces or clumped matter. This material should be disposed of in a plastic bag to prevent spreading any parasites it might harbor. Scrub the …

Attracting Birds to Your Garden

When gardening to attract birds, try providing a combination of massed plantings and open space. Several shrubs and trees used to enhance landscapes also provide food and nesting sites for birds. Many smaller songbirds live entirely on insects and their larvae during the summer months. Inviting birds to your garden will provide natural insect control, beautiful sights, pleasing sounds and an educational experience for everyone young and old visiting your garden. Try some of the following ideas to attract birds: A …

Attracting Seed Eating Birds

Nothing beats native vegetation in a natural setting when feeding birds. When you garden for birds you provide natural food that will attract the greatest variety of songbirds in your area. These birds will recognize their favorite plants & frequent your garden from fall until the seed is gone. During spring and summer deadhead flowers to promote repeat blooms and sturdy stems. Once fall arrives leave old blooms in place. As the seed matures birds will begin enjoying the feast. …

Plants that attract Hummingbirds

While Hummingbirds are attracted to red, they will feed from any color flower that has nectar. Annuals and perennials, vines, shrubs, trees, bedding plants and hanging plants: you can choose from all these categories in selecting flowers for attracting hummingbirds. Since there is such a dizzying array of plants that will help you achieve your goal, here is a list of the flowers, shrubs and vines that are commonly used to attract hummers. Flowers Bee Balm Digitalis Cardinal Flower Delphinium …