Put feeders on your spring to-do list

Now that spring has arrived, it's a good time to get your bird feeders ready for action. Here are a few points to consider:

Debris often builds up in feeders over the winter. Remove old seed hulls and other debris. Clean the feeder with hot soapy water; rinse well. Let dry before filling.

Don't forget to clean the corners of your platform feeder. A twig is a handy (and eco-friendly) way to pry out dirt.

Tube feeders require special attention. Soak them in a mild bleach solution. One part bleach to 10 parts water is a good mix. Scrub using a long handled brush (available at The Bird House in different lengths). Make sure to rinse well and let dry.

Pills of hulls under the feeder? Move the feeder to a different location, and rake up the hulls to give the grass underneath a chance to recover. Consider using a different type of feed: sunflower chips. They have no hulls, so there is no mess, yet most songbirds love them.