Every now and then I get 25 pounds of the KG Finch mix from Herman Brothers Pet Products. Having learned that — given the chance — Peanut will turn into Mr. Quality Control and demand to sample a seed or two from each tub, I keep him safely in his cage while I transfer the seeds from a big bag to an endless supply of plastic containers.

Although I've never had bug problems from Herman Brothers, it's a good idea to store large quantities of tasty seeds in the freezer. That way, if there are any moths or moth larvae in the batch, they'll stay dormant until you take the tub out. And, there won't be much time for them to make trouble by the time the birds go through the tub.

We all sleep better when the freezer is 1/3 full of tasty, tasty seeds.