Can we store birdseed in the freezer?

Question

Hello,
I have 3 bags of cockatiel's seed and 2 of them were mixed special seed (with nuts).  Rencently I found a lot of flying objects and they're like very small and brown in colour.  I been trying to kill them (I squash them) but every time and then they came back.  I checked the seeds everyday and there was nothing in the bags in the first few days when I realised the problems although it was obviously some were trying to get in.  But today I found 2 bags (mixed special seed) had bugs in it so I threw them away.  Another bag (normal seed) got nothing in it so I read some of the suggestions that we could put them in the freezer for around 24hours, I wonder if that works? So when i get the seed out of the freezer, do I microwave them or just feed them to my bird when they defrosted?

Thank you in advance.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

If you bought the normal seed at the same time and from the same place as the infested ones, I'd throw it away. It's not a good idea to store birdseed for very long as the oil in the seeds and nuts can go rancid, besides the fact that. as you've discovered, the nuts may contain the eggs of beetles or insects which hatch out. A caged bird is totally dependent on its owner for all its food, and if it were my cockatiel I'd get rid of all the seed, find a new supplier, and only buy in small quantities which can be served fresh.

thebax2006 · Answer

I've stored seed mix for my 3 birds in the freezer in ziplock bags and remove enough to fill a bowl which I keep in the fridge. It keeps the moth problem down. I've had my Birds for 24 years and they have always been healthy. Birds respond to color, texture, sound,and movement. They also like to eat when you do. Make sure you track down the flying bugs (moths) before they take over the house. Snapping them out of the air with a small towel seems to work the best.

? · Answer

I feed very little seed so I put the seed in small jelly jars and put them in the freezer . I take out a jar as needed and do not open it until it is completely defrosted and room temp--otherwise it gets damp. This keeps the seed fresh and the moths out. Cleanliness is a huge factor in keeping  moths away. Nooks and crannies in the cage must be cleaned and do lots of vacuuming.  Moths can be brought in with groceries too. Seed moth traps work great.You can get them in places like Agway and feed stores.

Charles D. M. · Answer

It's ok to store them in the frig long term and a day or two in the freezer. If the feed you have is contaminated and less then a week old I would take it back to the store and request a replacement batch. No need to microwave them just let them come to room temp.

ballou · Answer

How To Store Bird Seed

Anonymous · Answer

instead of storing them in the bags they come in try using a jar or the storage boxes you use for cereal and stuff. that normally works fine for me. i have alot of birds so i buy a sack every couple months which stays fresh through out without having to freeze it

Anonymous · Answer

perhaps put them in the refrigerator so not much bacteria will grow overnight and to make them less likely to sprout. then put them in the sun the first thing tomorrow. but seriously do you have studies that show you should be washing bird seed. they eat stuff right off the ground everyday. just because you wouldn't eat it doesn't mean wild animals wouldn't. since they evolved eating dirty non washed seed perhaps they might even digest it better that way

Ravenwing · Answer

yes it is okay to freeze bird seed the little worms are called mill moths and are very common in feed products

Can we store birdseed in the freezer?

8 Answers