Answer: Winter is a favorite time to take care of our feathered friends. However, there are both positive and negative consequences to feeding them. Some of the risks include: contaminated food or feeders, window collisions, and increased dependence on supplemental food. Many birds have been killed because of disease outbreaks at feeders, so it is extremely important to keep them clean and disinfected. If a feeder is designed where birds can easily contaminate food with their droppings, this also increases the risk of disease.
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Stanley Temple, a University of Wisconsin emeritus professor and wildlife expert, did a comprehensive study of the benefits and risks of feeding black-capped chickadees in winter. He and a student studied banded chickadees over three winters and found that on average 69% of them with access to a feeder survived over the winter compared to only 37% without supplemental food. The major difference in the birds’ survival over winter was almost entirely due to how well they fared during brief extreme weather conditions. On the other hand, during milder weather conditions they saw no difference in survival rates between the two groups. They concluded that chickadees with access to a feeder survived better during severe winter weather because they were fatter and had to spend less time and energy foraging for natural foods. In their study, birds with ready access to a feeder never obtained more than 20-25% of their energy needs from it; the remaining 75-80% came from natural sources.
Here are some winter bird feeding tips from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:
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Northern cardinals, blue jays, black-capped and chestnut-backed chickadees, house and purple finches, American goldfinches, evening and pine grosbeaks, gray and Steller's jays, nuthatches, crossbills, and titmice all love sunflower seeds. Peanuts provide a nutritious diet for birds, including black-capped chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and blue jays. Even northern cardinals will come to a peanut feeder. However, these also attract mammals including squirrels and raccoons. Safflower seeds are not as attractive to the pesky mammals. Cracked corn and milo are attractive to house sparrows and starlings, which will discourage other birds from visiting your feeders, so they are not recommended.
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Nyjer thistle will bring American and lesser goldfinches, common and hoary redpolls, house and purple finches, and pine siskins.
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Many wintering birds also benefit from suet, suet mixes and peanut butter. These include pileated, red bellied, red headed, downy and hairy woodpeckers; chickadees; titmice; and nuthatches.
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Water is critical to overwintering birds. Including a heated birdbath in your feeder set-up will be an open invitation to a variety of birds. Don’t worry about birds freezing if they bathe on a cold winter day. This water is primarily for drinking.
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Include a variety of feeders -- open or covered platform feeders, suet feeders, and cylindrical feeders to attract a broad variety of birds.
Experts at Cornell University say that feeders are safest when they are closest to windows because if a bird takes off from a feeder and hits the window, it won’t be going at top speed and has a better chance of surviving. Place feeders closer than three feet to a picture window or affix it to the glass or window frame or place it farther than 30 feet from a window.
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Dear Master Gardener: I have noticed little bugs flying around my house that I think are fruit flies. They seem to be more prevalent around my plants. How do I get rid of them and will they harm my plants?
Answer: It sounds like fungus gnats. If you shake your plant or stir up the soil, you may see a flurry of insect activity. Fungus gnats are usually associated with over-watered houseplants or houseplants that are growing in potting soil that is high in organic matter. They are pesky but do not usually harm plants. Reducing the moisture in your soil should be your first step in combating the fungus gnat problem. Over-watering is one of the biggest mistakes people make with their houseplants. Allow the surface of the soil to dry out between watering sessions, but do not let your plant wilt.
According to the University of Minnesota entomology department, the only effective product for treating fungus gnat larvae in the soil is Bt h14 (for example, Knock-Out Gnats). However, this product does not kill adult fungus gnats. To reduce the number of adult fungus gnats you can place yellow sticky cards in the pots. Look for the insecticide and sticky traps in garden centers or online.
Related: Ask the Master Gardener: Plenty to do for gardeners to keep busy in winter
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When removing snow from walks and driveways, avoid throwing it on evergreens because the weight can break branches. Also, if the snow contains ice-melt salts it can cause desiccation and browning of the needles.
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Remove your Christmas tree, and evergreen wreaths and swags as soon as they start to look dry. Not only are they a fire hazard, but they often harbor spider mite eggs that will hatch in warm, indoor conditions and move to your houseplants.
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When your amaryllis flower shrivels, pinch it off making sure to remove the ovary behind the petals. Water whenever the soil feels dry a little below the surface. Fertilize in six weeks or so. Keep the plants in your sunniest window until frost danger has passed and you can safely move them outdoors for summer.
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Order seeds early for the best selection. Rumor has it that there will be a shortage again this year.
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Prune out cankers and fungal galls, such as black knot on plums, cherries, and pin cherries. Make a cut just above a lateral bud or a branch union 10-12 inches below the infected area. Pruning during sub-freezing temperatures reduces the risk of reinfection.
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Keep poinsettias attractive for months by placing them near a sunny window. Water the soil as soon as the surface no longer feels moist – don’t wait until the leaves begin to wilt. In March begin applying a houseplant fertilizer at half-strength and continue every four to six weeks.
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Be on the lookout for spider mites! The warm, dry conditions commonly found in Minnesota homes during the winter create a perfect environment for them. Check your houseplants regularly for fine webbing or leaf discoloration. Prevent an infestation by applying a systemic miticide to the soil.
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You may get your garden questions answered by calling the new Master Gardener Help Line at 218-824-1068 and leaving a message. A Master Gardener will return your call. Or, emailing me at umnmastergardener@gmail.com and I will answer you in the column if space allows.
University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners are trained and certified volunteers for the University of Minnesota Extension. Information given in this column is based on university research.
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