Frustrated with all the seeds scattered on the grounds below your bird feeder? Bird feeders do help in attracting pretty little birds to your garden, but it also creates a mess at times.
When the wild birds enjoy their mealtime, they tend to be messy in the way that they eat. Seeds and seed shells in your backyard can attract other animals, including squirrels and raccoons, possibly posing many problems. However, there’s a solution; wondering what? “A Seed Catcher.”
A Seed Catcher attached to the bird feeder helps in managing seed wastage and mess in the garden. It is basically a tray-type device that gathers all the seeds which were meant to fall here and there apart. Not only that, but a Seed Catcher also acts as a secondary feeding platform for birds.
A seed catcher can be purchased commercially, but you can also DIY it. A DIY Bird Feeder Seed Catcher isn’t just economical, but it also brings in recyclable materials to use. Here’s how you can process for the same.
How to make a DIY Seed Catcher at home?
WAY 1: Seed Catcher with an old pan
Things you will need:
- A Large Pan (Plastic or Metal)
- Shepherds hook
- Drill Machine or Something to make holes with
- Spray Paint (Optional)
The Procedure:
- Take the large pan, cover it with spray paint (if required) and allow it to dry.
- Now drill holes in the pan. For doing so, firstly, check on the bottom of the feeder pole and locate any prongs. It will help you mark the correct spot on a point where you want the prong to penetrate. Once you have marked the correct spot, drill the hole precisely.
- Further, place the pan where you want to position it on the ground. Now push the bird feeder pole into the ground through the hole on the pan. If it requires pressure, use a hammer for help.
- Lastly, place the feeder and check the effectiveness of your Seed Catcher. Continue cleaning the tray regularly from seeds and debris.
WAY 2: Seed Catcher with Mesh
Things you will need:
- Cloth Mesh
- Cutter/ Scissors
- Hooks
- Bunjee Cord
The Procedure:
- Cut the Mesh material to suit the size of the bird feeder. Make sure the seed catcher should be larger to catch all the falling and flying seeds from the feeder. Keep the size about 3 to 6 inches, probably larger than the feeder.
- Now for connection, use standard bungee cords to attach the rim of the mesh seed catcher to the bird feeder. If necessary, drill the hotel in a bird feeder, or you can also attach hooks.
- Or, run a sturdy-gauge wire from one to the other for a secure fit. Here, go with coated or galvanized wire to keep it safe from rusting.
- Lastly, pour a handful of seeds into the seed catcher to ensure if it can take the weight or not.
Why do birds throw seeds out of the feeder?
Birds usually discard the inedible outer hulls and throw them on the ground. Or, at times, some nuisance-causing birds also knock seeds out of the feeder resulting in them being scattered here and there on the ground.
Later, the same bird, however, does not prefer picking those fallen seeds. Therefore, adding a Seed Catcher will help your gather all the fallen seeds and reuse them with the feeder again.
Do bird seed catchers work?
Yes, Bird feeder seed catchers work by catching tinier food scraps such as seeds and grains. It keeps the seeds from falling into the ground and becoming waste.
5 Best Commercial Bird Seed Cage/Catcher 2022
- Innovations America Songbird Essentials 30 in Universal Seed Hoop for Bird Feeders
- Songbird SEIA30034 Essentials Seed Hoop
- Perfitel Universal Birdcage Cover Seed Catcher Parrot Birdcage Nylon Mesh Guard Netting with lace
- Bird Seed Catcher Tray Platform Feeder Hanging Tray Outdoors Backyard Garden
- Songbird Essentials 30″ SeedHoop Seed Catcher & Platform Feeder
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Wrapping up…
By now, we hope that you have learned to make a Bird feeder seed catcher an easy way. Even though the commercial ones aren’t very expensive, you can still try bringing your craft skills to life.
However, in case you aren’t pleased with making some extra effort, you can go with the above Seed catcher recommendations.