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Have you ever considered giving your favorite breakfast cereal bowl a respray? Probably not! For one thing, paints are full of toxic chemicals. Even when dry they still give off dangerous fumes for some time, and can flake or chip. You would not want paint chips with your cornflakes.

Painting or staining bird houses or feeders is really not a good idea. The danger of poisoning the very creatures you are trying to help is just too high. Woodstains claiming to be 'wildlife friendly' can be obtained but you have to hunt for them and check the labels on the cans with great care. Most woodstains are toxic and remain so for a long time after application, even when dry. Birds, even young ones, tend to explore things with their beaks, remember. Some will even try to modify their houses by pecking around the entrance hole. There is a high risk of ingesting paint or woodstain fragments.

Most bird feeders can be purchased in dull metal or matt green, and some are available in other colors. They are manufactured from non-toxic materials and are intended to blend in with back yard environments.

Bird houses of a wide range of designs are available, made from differing woods such as cedar or pine or from 'woodcrete', a mix of clay, sawdust and cement. With such a variety on offer it is best not to risk experimenting with DIY color schemes.

Learn more about this author, Mark Hopkins.
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