How to Reseed Your Edible Birdhouse Step-by-Step
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There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing your edible birdhouse visited day after day by colorful birds. Over time, though, even the best-seeded bird houses start to lose their coating as hungry visitors snack away. The good news? It's easy to reseed your edible birdhouse and give it a fresh new life!
Whether you have one of our tall bird houses, Christmas bird house, or sunflower bird house, this simple guide will walk you through how to refresh your bird feeder house so the birds (and you) can enjoy it for seasons to come.
Why Reseed Your Edible Birdhouse?
An edible birdhouse isn’t just a one-time decoration—it’s a lasting part of your backyard. Our handmade birdhouses are built from durable wood frames, meaning they can be reseeded year after year.
Refreshing your birdhouse bird feeder helps attract even more species of backyard birds. You’ll enjoy seeing your favorite visitors—like cardinals, chickadees, and finches—return again and again.
Plus, reseeding is a fun and easy project that makes your edible birdhouses look brand new without needing to purchase bird houses every season (although we always have unique birdhouses for sale if you want to expand your collection!).
Supplies You'll Need
Before you begin, gather a few simple supplies:
- Your edible birdhouse (frame intact)
- Fresh bird seeds (we recommend a high-quality mix like black oil sunflower, millet, and thistle)
- A natural adhesive such as peanut butter or Elmer’s Edible Glue
- A butter knife or spatula
- A tray or shallow pan
Note: Elmer’s Edible Glue is a non-toxic, bird-safe adhesive that holds up a little better than peanut butter, making it a great alternative for anyone with peanut allergies. Both options work well for reseeding your bird feeder house!
You can find reseeding kits and recommended bird seeds on our Types of Seed page if you need ideas.
Step-by-Step: How to Reseed Your Edible Birdhouse
1. Check Your Birdhouse
First, inspect your seeded birdhouses. Make sure the wood frame is still solid and hasn’t been damaged by weather or particularly enthusiastic birds.
If the structure is still intact—and it usually is—you’re ready to reseed.
Pro Tip: If your birdhouse is especially dirty or has leftover sticky material from the old seeds, soak the house in warm water for a few hours to loosen any debris. Then allow it to fully air dry before recoating with new bird seeds. This helps the fresh layer stick better and keeps your bird seed house looking great.
2. Choose Your Seeds
Selecting the right bird seeds is key to attracting the birds you want.
If you're hoping to attract goldfinches, go heavy on nyjer seed. Want cardinals? Mix in plenty of black oil sunflower seeds.
You can create your own custom blend or buy ready-to-go mixes designed specifically for edible birdhouses.
Check out our Types of Birds page for help picking bird seeds based on your favorite feathered friends!
3. Apply a Fresh Layer
Use a butter knife or spatula to spread a thin, even coat of your adhesive (peanut butter or Elmer’s Edible Glue) across the exterior of the birdhouse.
Focus on the walls and roof—the same areas that were originally coated.
Tip: Be sure to cover any bare wood to help the new seeds stick better. This is especially important for tall bird houses with slanted roofs and edges.
4. Press on the Seeds
Pour your seeds into a shallow tray. Gently roll or press the sticky parts of the birdhouse into the seeds, making sure they adhere firmly.
You can use your hands to press seeds into harder-to-reach areas.
Make sure your bird feeder house is fully covered, creating a fresh buffet for the birds.
Now you officially have a birdhouse covered in bird seed again—good as new!
5. Let It Set
Give your reseeded birdhouse about an hour to fully set.
If it’s a warm day, you might want to pop it into the refrigerator for a few minutes so the peanut butter or glue firms up nicely.
6. Rehang and Enjoy!
Once dry and secure, hang your bird feeder house back in its original spot.
Position it near shrubs or trees to provide birds with quick cover from predators and easier access.
Soon, you’ll have a steady stream of chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, and cardinals visiting your edible birdhouse!
Bonus Tips for Reseeding Edible Birdhouses
- Rotate seeds by season. Use sunflower-heavy mixes in winter and lighter millet-based blends in spring.
- Use Elmer’s Edible Glue for durability. It can help your edible birdhouse last longer, especially during rainy seasons.
- Decorate for the holidays! You can even add festive touches like mini holly berries to your birdhouse or buy our or Christmas birdhouses with holiday elements.
- Protect the roof. Focus reseeding mainly on the body of the house to preserve your bird feeder roof.
- Mix it up. Try combining millet, nyjer, and sunflower for a diverse blend that appeals to a variety of birds.
Common Questions
Do you put bird seed in a birdhouse? Normally, no—but that's the beauty of an edible birdhouse! It’s both a birdhouse and bird feeder, all in one.
What if my birdhouse is very worn out? If the wooden frame is damaged, it might be time to purchase bird houses from our shop. We always have bird houses on sale and new edible bird houses being added.
Is it okay to reseed a holiday birdhouse like a Christmas birdhouse? Yes! Just remove any non-edible decorations before reseeding.
Final Thoughts: Keeping Your Edible Birdhouse Fresh Year-Round
Keeping your edible birdhouses fresh is a simple and rewarding way to continue enjoying backyard birdwatching. Our handmade birdhouses, whether short or tall, are built to last—designed so you can reseed them again and again for years of enjoyment.
Whether you’re refreshing a favorite bird seed house, updating a birdhouse made of birdseed, or creating a new birdhouse covered in bird seed, the birds (and your backyard) will thank you.
Ready for more? Browse our birdhouse store for amazing bird houses that make your backyard the go-to destination for feathered friends!