The Smart Picture Frame Idea That Keeps Your Bird Feeder Tidy

Birds are wonderful creatures to watch in the garden, but let's face it, these guys can be pretty messy. It can be frustrating to fill up your bird feeder to find it empty the next day, and not because the birds have eaten it all. Many birds prefer different types of seeds, and this means that they rummage through the feed, kicking some to the ground to find their favorite snacks. The ground food might get eaten, but birds that eat in trees, such as chickadees and woodpeckers, may find themselves out of a lunch. 

Thankfully, We Are Iowa Local 5 News has a quick and easy DIY you can make to solve this issue. You can create a bird feeder seed catcher by reusing an old picture frame to save the fallen seeds. Adding a bird feeder seed catcher doesn't just help with saving seeds, either. Adding a new level to your bird feeder avoids overcrowding and helps you attract a more diverse variety of birds to your yard. 

All you need is an old picture frame, a screen, screws, and a chain. You can pick many of these things up pretty cheaply from a thrift or DIY store, but to save money, it is helpful to have a look at what you have in your home. If you don't have a metal screen, you could try mesh, insect netting, or thin plywood sheets — anything that is strong enough for the birds to sit on and that will catch the seeds. A metal chain is the sturdiest option, but strong garden twine, picture frame hanging wire, or cord may do the trick.

To make your DIY seed catcher with a frame, you first need to gather your materials and make sure that your old picture frame is strong enough to hold. You may need to add corner brackets or use glue to strengthen it. Then, measure the frame and cut your screen or mesh to size so it fits in the frame just like a picture would. 

Once it is cut, you can secure it in place. The creator used wooden strips for this step, but if you don't have any, you could fix it in place with strong glue or staples. You just need to make sure there are no gaps for the seeds to fall through. The next step is to attach a chain or rope to the seed catcher, either by using hooks or drilling holes to tie your rope. 

Then, your seed catcher can be hung up under your bird feeder! Be aware of cleanliness and issues that may occur if bird droppings and seeds accumulate. If the seeds are getting covered in droppings and the birds start to eat them, there is a risk of diseases such as salmonellosis that are spread through droppings and saliva. To avoid this, make sure you are cleaning your seed catcher at least once a week and even more often if you are noticing bird droppings in your yard.