# Can I feed sunflower seeds that have been infiltrated by mice? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 5, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-feed-sunflower-seeds-that-have-been-infiltrated-by-mice/601997 "2011-11-05T22:07:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-feed-sunflower-seeds-that-have-been-infiltrated-by-mice/601997/1 "2011-11-05T22:07:12Z")
We have a plastic bin in the garage that holds our sunflower seeds for the birds. The lid got cracked, and mice got in and ate some and, of course, peed and pooped on some. Can I sift out the bad stuff or get rid of the poop and still feed it to the birds or will the like die or something? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-feed-sunflower-seeds-that-have-been-infiltrated-by-mice/601997/2 "2011-11-06T01:09:26Z")
I don’t think the birds will die. If you are talking about wild birds, I’m sure they get stuff that is a LOT nastier in their daily diet than you could provide with these sunflower seeds. What kind of quantity are you talking about? Five-pound bag? Twenty-five pound bag? If it were five pounds or less, I’d probably pitch it. Because running your hands through a mouse toilet is definitely not the safest thing for you to do. Mice are incontinent, and they piddle constantly. Mouse urine can transmit some diseases, particularly the Hanta virus. If you are in the Four Corners area, I’d ABSOLUTELY get rid of it. I’d also find a way to mouse-proof the garage. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-feed-sunflower-seeds-that-have-been-infiltrated-by-mice/601997/3 "2011-11-06T12:27:41Z")
It was a 20lb bag, so kind of a lot to get rid of. I’ve got gloves and can get a mask from work. I’ll give it a try. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-feed-sunflower-seeds-that-have-been-infiltrated-by-mice/601997/4 "2011-11-06T13:03:41Z")
Maybe save the mice for the owls… ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-feed-sunflower-seeds-that-have-been-infiltrated-by-mice/601997/5 "2011-11-06T14:43:43Z")
don’t bother to clean it. secure it from further infiltration and use it. during this time of year (in the colder north) mice are looking for nesting and food storage sites for the winter. secure anything that is food (they can chew through wood and plastic and fit through very small cracks and holes). they will be back. use traps or poison baits as you feel the need. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-feed-sunflower-seeds-that-have-been-infiltrated-by-mice/601997/6 "2011-11-06T14:54:37Z")
Taking care to mouse proof the garage goes double where you car is concerned. I have seen mice do thousands of dollars in damage to a car. The worst I have ever seen was $10,000 when all totaled up. Exterminators can provide stuff that repels mice from the car. (looks like a green urinal cake, gets wired into place) I have also heard that dryer sheets will repel mice. I have seen customers stuff them under seats and in other nooks and crannies. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-feed-sunflower-seeds-that-have-been-infiltrated-by-mice/601997/7 "2011-11-06T16:20:59Z")
I was gonna say…do NOT go sifting through the seed removing poop! Who knows what kind of filth and diseases are in there! Mother Nature is not clean and neat, birds drink from dirty water (birdbath) all summer. I’m given to understand birds can catch bird diseases from other birds (I remember the horrible eye disease/respiratory plague among the finches a few years ago when we were told by experts to keep the birdfeeders extra clean), but I’ve never heard of them being affected by poop and such from other creatures.