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Spring 2013
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Use a stiff brush on wooden feeders to remove accumulated debris. Use hot soapy water and rinse well. Make sure they are dry before filling.
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Soak tube feeders in a mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). Use a long handled brush to scrub. Try new feeders with a bottom that can be removed for easier cleaning!
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Hot soapy water (and muscle) is good for cleaning bird baths. Rinse many times. If you used a water heater this winter, scrub it with a solution of white vinegar and water to remove mineral deposits.
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Piles of hulls under the feeder? Move the feeder and rake up the hulls to give the grass underneath a chance to recover.
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Disperse feeders around the yard instead of grouping them to avoid stressful overcrowding. Moving feeders to different locations also helps in eliminating bird dropping buildup.
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Mid April, put out hummingbird feeders.
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Be sure that any nesting boxes (bird houses) have last season’s nests cleaned out.
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Use more millet for small seed eaters such as buntings, finches, or native sparrows.
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Add another tube feeder to attract more goldfinches.
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Try treats, such as nuts, peanuts, fruits, and peanut butter to keep birds at your feeders.
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Include mealworms on tray feeders for migrant insect eaters.
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Offer crushed eggshells to provide needed minerals.
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Make sure you have fresh water available.
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Plant annuals that will attract insects for the birds to enjoy.
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Plant bushes with berries (blackberries), evergreens (junipers) and other shrubs (winterberry) for food and shelter.
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