I have used shortening. It works on ants, too.
What would we do without nature? I never want to know!
On Sep 27, 2020, at 1:09 PM, Renee Yetter <renee.yetter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
We keep honey bees and check varroa mite count by slipping a greased board
under the hives to see the mite drop. The grease is very slick and we have
brushed it on the poles; it has definitely kept raccoons etc. from climbing
the bird feeder poles. I don’t love the greasy feel but they were almost
emptying the feeders nightly.
Melt 1 container of unscented Vaseline into 1 bottle of mineral oil on low
heat until thoroughly melted and combined. Pour into a jar and let cool.
Brush on poles as needed. You could make a small batch at first to see if
you are satisfied with it. We have baffles but they don’t stop the raccoons
or squirrels :/
Renee
Williamsburg, KY 40769
From: birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of
Cathy Oyster <crhorses@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, September 27, 2020 10:00:17 AM
To: Birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <Birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [birdky] Re: Sunflower Hearts vs Seeds
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click
links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the
content is safe.
Thanks to all who commented on my question “Sunflower Hearts vs Seeds.” You
gave me a new appreciation for un-hulled seeds. I’ll save the hearts for
cold winter days. Now, does anyone have a cure for pesky racoons that climb
the feeder at night?
Cathy Oyster
Jessamine Co.
From: Lyneart <lyneart@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, September 25, 2020 5:36 AM
To: Joyce Bender <landstewardky@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: kytysons9152@xxxxxxxxx; crhorses@xxxxxxx; Birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [birdky] Re: Sunflower Hearts vs Seeds
I too agree with Steve. I’ve been feeding un-hulled black oiled sunflower
seed for decades and I
have a whole little special plant community at my feeding areas. A colony of
asters grows in the rich soil around the side yard feeder and this year the
birds gifted me with a plant beneath my front porch feeder that I’ve never
seen growing any where else - American Sicklepod. Here’s a link to my
iNaturalist observation of American Sicklepod. I don’t know of any other way
a seed could have been planted beneath my feeder than by a bird. -
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58437939
Frank Lyne
frank@xxxxxxxxxxx - near Dot in Logan County, KY
On Sep 24, 2020, at 4:19 PM, Joyce Bender <landstewardky@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Totally agree with Stephen on this. Towhees and thrushes dig around in that
debris and it is fun to see what they unearth. And it breaks down and helps
enrich our poor soil here. Nature may not be tidy, but It is endlessly
fascinating to observe the interconnections!
Sent from my iPad
On Sep 24, 2020, at 12:34 PM, Stephen Tyson <kytysons9152@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I recommend that you think about that shell waste differently. Nature makes
use of everything, and we’ve noticed that sunflower seed debris produces its
own ecosystem under the feeders, especially in the Spring. Robins and
Thrashers pick through the decomposing debris for the rich variety of
earthworms and other small creatures that are drawn to it. In fact, last
spring, a pair of Robins raised a brood near our feeders, seemingly, mostly
from worms picked from under the feeders. It may not look very nice to us
but, in a way, whole sunflower seed is feeding the birds twice.
Also, I can’t help but think that having to shell their food may be better
for them, in the same way it is better for us to use the stairs than the
elevator.
Stephen Tyson, Schochoh, Logan Co
On Sep 24, 2020, at 6:13 AM, Cathy Oyster <crhorses@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Does anyone feed sunflower hearts instead of seeds? The area under my
feeders fills up with the shells.
Cathy Oyster
Jessamine Co.
