There’s a secret to producing the perfect apple—ones with nary a wormhole at harvest time. Every one remains perfect, unblemished and worm-free when snapped from its limb.
We don’t use pesticides around our house, so all the apples used to get ruined by pests. I prefer to enjoy all the wildlife—butterflies, birds, raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and other critters—over eating apples.
But something glorious happened!
I defied the worm gods unwittingly by changing only one thing.
I feed wild birds!
All day long, various birds—songbirds, sparrows, finches, swallows, and others, swoop in a spry and jazzy rhythm snatching pests from the yard. They dive bomb the lawn, peck at the flower stems and leaves, and nibble at the shrubs. They even hover at the stucco to snatch spiders from their webs. Their meal is my pest control.
Nature produces the most exhilarating musical! Many of the birds come for the Nyjer seed and clean bath I provide, and others for the pest buffet.
I use Nyjer seed for several reasons.
First, rats and mice aren’t attracted to it like they are other bird seeds. Years ago I hung a bird feeder with typical bird seed that attracted rats to my yard and they covertly destroyed my 10-man spa. The seeds also rooted weeds everywhere. What a mess!
Nyjer seed will not germinate in our yards since the USDA requires that all imported to this country be heat-treated to sterilize the seed. It’s a win for us and a win for the birds. After trying several brands, I settled on Wagner’s Nyjer Seed Bird Food in a 10-pound bag from Amazon. They offer the best product at the best price. And with a Prime account, shipping is free. The bag features a re-sealable zipper to keep in the freshness—Nyjer seed can easily dry out. I carry the large bag in a bucket for easy transport to the feeders.
My favorite bird feeders come with a Quick-Clean like this and this. The removable base makes cleaning easy, the seed stays dry in a gentle rain, and many birds can feed at the same time.
Nyjer seed, also called thistle seed, is a gourmet seed. It can attract a swarm of beautiful lesser goldfinches, American goldfinches, and pine siskins. Doves and sparrows also feed daily on the seeds that fall to the ground. It’s a regular garden party!
Wild birds are the best natural pesticide all the while providing beauty and song to my yard. (Read this post to learn about the circe of life in my garden.)
Nature is a brilliant and perfect design.
Wild birds at my bird feeder
Organic green apples from my yard
Updated 10/30/25
6 comments
Deborah, thank you for your duggestjon. I have up bird feeding many years ago for the very same reason you discuss! Very informative, thank you, maybe time to try again – without weeds, or vermin!
I hope you enjoy the birds as much as I do. My yards are so full of life now!
I never thought of that! I get harvestmen, spider looking bugs all around my front door and spiders because of the light and resulting bugs at night. I’ve taken to squashing and brushing them off every morning before work but now ill just put in a bird feeder. I’m sure the kiddos will love that!
It’s so fun to watch the birds dart about. And now I’m learning to identify them and recognize them by their songs. And this year, doves have moved in. Their coos are as steady and soothing as a trickling stream. Birds and feeders are not the perfect solutions, but they’ve enhanced my life greatly.
Thanks, Deb, for this tip on the bird seed. We have humming bird feeders and bird feeders but it’s mostly blue jays who hog them, pushing away the other birds. I love watching the quail, finches, mourning doves, and other birds, but I don’t see them on the feeder very often. I will definitely check out this seed.
I loved reading about your applesauce canning, but have never canned that, although I’ve made a big pot for an applesauce shortcake dessert. I love canning but only canned my zucchini relish and some tomato sauce this year. I have to purchase the produce as I, unfortunately, don’t have the space for a garden. We also had so much travel this fall I missed my opportunity to try fig jam from my friend’s plethora of figs.
Wow, Sue, you are lucky to have such a variety of birds. Nyjer seed is very small and so it’s mostly for finches and sparrows. Although, the bird expert at our local bird shop was adamant that mourning doves don’t feed on Nyjer seeds, I have seen them frequently nestle right in the bottom tray that catches seed husks and seeds and feed for a long time.They also like to hang out on the ground below the feeder. Clearly, they like the seeds, too, to my absolute delight. Regarding the canning, I understand that canning tomato sauce is tricky (risky) and so kudos to you! ~~~ In your many travels to my area, you could hit up the farmer’s market for the freshest produce to can. That will be my strategy for the future—except for apples of course! Oh, and figs! *be still my heart* Have you tried fig jam on pizza? My new fav! 🤤