Upgrade A Dollar Tree Birdhouse With An Inexpensive Hack Birds Go Nuts For

If you have been attracting birds to your yard with birdhouses and bird feeders, you get to enjoy hours of entertainment that these feathered visitors provide. But more importantly, you're playing an important role in keeping them well-fed and healthy when they need it most. The next time you're eyeing bird feeder options, try creating your own with a simple wooden bird house from Dollar Tree. Keep in mind that these are meant to be decorative, measuring less than 3 inches wide and deep and less than 4 inches high. They're not meant to actually be used to house birds but can be transformed into a DIY feeder. All you need is the house, peanut butter (or a similar mixture), and bird seeds. Put this outside during the winter, as birds require more calories and need help with finding food during that time. In addition, the cooler temperatures will keep the peanut butter from spoiling too quickly. 

Ideally, when choosing a peanut butter that generally safe for birds, look for one that doesn't have added oils or sugars. You also can combine one part peanut butter with one part true suet — a high-energy animal fat that birds can easily digest — to reduce the likelihood of melting. Although birds will devour the peanut butter, for this purpose, it actually serves more as a base under a layer of seeds. Wondering what to sprinkle on top of the peanut butter? Black oil sunflower seeds appeal to the widest range of birds. But if you prefer a mixture, find a blend that contains sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn, which are the preferred cuisine among birds.

When using peanut butter or suet in bird feeders, remember that fats and oils can cause feathers to lose their insulation and weatherproofing abilities. This is especially detrimental during the winter, when birds need to stay warm. For this reason, consider placing the house on a platform where the bird can nibble at the seeds without having to sit on the house. If the bird needs to land on the birdhouse in order to eat, it will inevitably get peanut butter on its wings or feet, even if you're topping off the creamy layer with seeds. Also, as mentioned earlier, use peanut butter only during cold seasons. Hot weather will cause the peanut butter to get rancid and soft (and more oily) too quickly. If you're worried about other visitors stealing the birds' food, try this common spice to keep squirrels off your bird feeder. 

Bird feeders should be cleaned about once every two weeks. This means the remaining food is discarded, and the feeder is thoroughly washed and disinfected. However, with a wooden birdhouse like this one, it might be better to toss it after two weeks rather than attempt to clean and sanitize a house that's intended more to be decoration rather than a long-term bird feeder. Thankfully, with a price point of $1.25, these birdhouses won't break the bank if you want to make another feeder. For a different tactic, try this bird food recipe that also uses peanut butter and seeds.