Best Bird Seed Storage Containers | Plus Grow Birdseed
It’s no surprise that birds aren’t the only ones drooling after your bird seed! I’ve seen many a bird feeder absolutely demoed by squirrels! We’ve had mice wreaking havoc in our garage when I didn’t use bird seed storage containers to keep the seeds safe.
Oy, what a mess that was!
Thankfully, YOU can learn from MY mistakes. I will never leave bird seed out for mice to ravage in my garage again, I can tell you that much!
And, I wisely bought a special birdfeeder so that the squirrels can share it too, without breaking stuff.
I’m all about the wildlife in our yard, as long as they leave my gardens and plants alone! Our youngest daughter (age 5) absolutely adores the birds and sings in conversation back and forth with them.
Her favorite is “tweet—erro—tweet—erro—tweet!”
It’s really cute when they go back and forth together! And it reminds me to make sure I have food for them.
And of course, a nice bird seed storage tin on hand to make sure the seeds make it to the birds.
Why Do I Need Bird Seed Storage Containers?
Mice love bird seed just about as much as birds do. For that reason, you’ll want to have an airtight bird seed storage container to keep out unwanted pests. Good storage containers keep the seeds fresh, too.
If you’ve ever had a mouse get into your birdseed in the garage over the winter, you’ll be certain not to make THAT mistake again! Those little buggers are destructive. And messy, and just plain disgusting!
Deterring mice alone is enough motivation for me to make sure I have a good bird seed storage process in place. After all, I bought the birdseed for the birds, not the mice.
Choosing a Bird Seed Storage Container
The right containers make a huge difference in storage and organization. You can find bird seed storage bins in all shapes, sizes, and styles.
- Metal Bird Seed Storage Containers – When looking for good bird seed storage containers, metal tins may get the job done. Keep in mind that your mileage may vary, depending on the quality and craftsmanship of the containers.
- Bird Seed Containers with Screw-Top Lids – A plastic or glass container with a screw-top lid is a sure way to keep birdseed safe from squirrels. (At least until you open the jar and fill the bird feeder!)
- Snap-Top Plastic Containers for Storing Birdseed – Bird seed storage and dispenser containers make feeding the birds easier than ever, like this one with a spout. Cereal containers and others suitable for your pantry may also be just as useful in storing bird seed.
- Pet Food Containers – Look at nice pet food containers, too, as they can double for airtight and waterproof bird seed storage. Storage containers like the Vittles Vault offer stackable storage with an included scoop and an airtight sealing system that keeps the food safe from moisture. The Vittles Vault boasts a unique design that uses a double gasket and threaded locking system. It sure sounds squirrel-safe to me!
- Mason Jars – Let’s be honest for a minute here, what aren’t mason jars good for? You can absolutely use them as bird seed storage containers for a rustic, farm-fresh look that’s just as pretty as it is practical.
- Upcycled Containers – Something as simple as an old-school coffee can could be useful for birdseed storage as well. Remember that squirrels and mice are not above chewing through plastic so keep an eye on your containers just in case.
Wild Bird Seed Storage Container
Consider keeping separate outdoor bird seed storage bins from your bulk bird seed bin in the garage or shed. A single, smaller wild bird seed storage container makes it easy to feed the birds on schedule without going to the main seed source every day.
Best Features in Bird Seed Storage Containers
- Secure Lid – An airtight lid gives added protection from pests and keeps bird food fresh.
- Handle – A carrying handle makes it easy to transport the bird seed to locations where you use it. The handle also makes it easy to dispense bird seed without making a mess.
- Pour Spout – Rather impressively, some bird seed containers feature a pour spout to easily dispense seeds for the birds. A spout can be especially helpful for hard-to-reach bird feeders.
- Large Capacity – When storing the bulk bag of bird seed separately, it helps to keep it inside a large latching storage bin with a lid to keep critters out.
A waterproof and airtight wild bird seed storage container may fit nicely on your deck or patio for effortless feeding of your feathered friends.
Other bird food container styles may sit nicely in your kitchen or room closest to your back door or other entryway.
More Ideas for Bird Seed
Growing your own bird seed can be a lot of fun and a great experiment with the kids! Something as simple as black oil sunflowers or millet make great plants for little ones to discover.
Keep your bird seed safe in decorative bird seed storage containers, but get to know more about the seeds you’re feeding your birds.
Choose a special flower pot and plant a sprinkling of some bird seed and see what grows!
We did this in 2020 and grew some small sunflowers and some millet, which ended up looking really cool. You can read more about growing your own black oil sunflowers for birdseed here!
Once you know what the sprouted bird seed looks like, you can watch your yard for new volunteer plants sprouting up!
Final Thoughts: Bird Seed Storage Containers
My favorite plan to keep bird seed safe and fresh is twofold.
First, I’d like to have a main bird seed storage bin for the larger bulk bag of bird seed in my garage. This keeps it safe from the mice who may try to get at it in the wintertime.
Next, I’d love to use a smaller outdoor bird seed storage container to keep wild bird food handy and accessible.
My plan is for my kids to be fully self sufficient in taking turns to feed the wild birds (and squirrels) who may frequent our yard.
What are your favorite types of bird seed storage containers? Do you struggle with other critters or pests going after your birdseed? Let’s chat in the comments below!
