Pest Birds

• Bird enthusiasts often become discouraged when aggressive birds such as the European starling begins to feed at the bird feeder. If pest birds become frequent visitors to the bird feeder, consider placing fencing around the feeder. The fencing will effectively keep out large pest birds and only allow small songbirds to reach the seeds. A wide array of commercial feeders are also available that have been designed to keep pest birds away from the birdseed.
  
  

Predator Birds

• Predator birds such as hawks can take up residence near a bird feeder to search for prey. The bird may visit the bird feeder several times a day and can hang around the feeder for a day, week or more. Nothing deters the bird from hunting. If the homeowner finds the bird's presence and hunting activity upsetting, consider putting away the bird feeder for a few weeks to deter it. Once the predator bird ceases seeing tiny songbirds to prey on, it will go away.
  
  

Insect Pests

• The Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella) regularly infests stored birdseed, and the moth's larva will reside in the birdseed. The infested seed will usually exhibit a silk webbing throughout the seeds. In addition, the sawtoothed grain beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis) can easily get into bags of birdseed because of its sharp teeth. The beetles appear flat and brownish-red in color. The flat beetles can create up to seven generations per year in the birdseed.
  
  

Pest Control

• Placing a sticky trap near the birdseed will help prevent adult Indian meal moths from laying eggs in the birdseed. Throw away birdseed infested with flat beetles. The seed can also be frozen for three or four days to kill the pests. Store newly purchased birdseed in air-tight containers. Avoid keeping birdseed in cardboard or paper bags because the insects can tear into them. Also, never use insecticides on birdseed, or the birds may become poisoned.