How to clean a bird bath for your garden's feathered friends

Instead of using soap or bleach to clean the bird bath, the National Audubon Society recommends scrubbing it with nine parts water to one part vinegar. You might want to let the solution soak for a few minutes. Be sure to stay close to the bird bath so no birds sneak in!

How do you disinfect a bird bath?
How do you keep a bird bath algae free?
Is it safe to clean a bird bath with bleach?
How do you maintain a bird bath?
Do pennies keep a bird bath clean?
Is Vinegar safe for birds?
Do copper pennies prevent algae?
Should I put rocks in my bird bath?
Where is the best place to put a bird bath in your yard?
Why do birds poop in the bird bath?
What is the best color for a bird bath?
Can I put apple cider vinegar in my bird bath?

How do you disinfect a bird bath?

Dump out any old, stagnant water. Remove any large deposits of spilled seed, feces, debris or other contaminants. Use a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to nine parts water to scrub the birdbath thoroughly. Scrub the basin, lip, and any area of the birdbath where the birds can land, perch, drink or bathe.

How do you keep a bird bath algae free?

Allow your freshly cleaned bird bath to thoroughly dry in the sun. This will further discourage algae growth and keep the bath fresh for a longer period of time, and it will help sterilize the surface against bacteria or other contaminants. On a hot, sunny day, the basin can dry in just a few minutes.

Is it safe to clean a bird bath with bleach?

Scrub With a Bleach Solution

Create a bleach solution made from 1 part chlorine bleach mixed with 9 parts water. If your bird bath is positioned within garden plantings or on the lawn, remove the basin and wash it in a spot where the bleach will not strike plants or grass.

How do you maintain a bird bath?

Attract More Birds to Your Yard!

Remember to keep your birdbath close to, but not directly under, woody brush and feeders. Falling debris and seeds can muck up the water quickly.
Add a fountain or stream feature to keep the birds happy and the mosquitoes at bay. ...
Update your bath for the winter by adding a heater.

Do pennies keep a bird bath clean?

While algae will be repelled, however, it is important to note that copper will not completely eliminate algae and bacteria growth in a bird bath. All bird baths, even those made of pure copper, must still be cleaned regularly to remove all unwanted growths.

Is Vinegar safe for birds?

Vinegar is a great non-toxic disinfectant and cleaner. It smells unpleasant, but it's not harmful to birds in the way other chemicals are.

Do copper pennies prevent algae?

Over time a birdbath can slowly have algae grow in it. However, copper pennies in bird bath may help you solve this problem. Copper has biostatic properties that makes it incompatible with algae. Due to this, a basin, bird bath, container, bathroom sinks, or copper sinks will not trigger algae growth.

Should I put rocks in my bird bath?

Adding a large rock or stones to your birdbath helps birds. It's absolutely true, especially for juveniles venturing out into the world after springs' nesting season. Shallow, shallow, shallow is best, with a maximum depth of 2-3 inches. If your bowl is deeper – just don't fill it all the way.

Where is the best place to put a bird bath in your yard?

Place your birdbath in the shade if possible, to keep the water cooler and fresher. Having trees nearby will also provide branches on which they can preen. Arrange stones (or branches) in the water so birds can stand on them to drink without getting wet (this is particularly important during freezing weather).

Why do birds poop in the bird bath?

So when a bird takes on water either by drinking or bathing, instinct tells them to get rid of any useless weight to be a more efficient flyer. As a result, poop happens. ... Both waste products come out together because birds have a single opening called a cloaca, which they use for waste disposal and reproduction.

What is the best color for a bird bath?

Natural camouflage colors such as gray, brown, and green are excellent choices to attract birds with more nervous temperaments, such as doves, quail, thrushes, and other ground feeders.

Can I put apple cider vinegar in my bird bath?

Apple cider vinegar is generally considered safe to use in bird baths as long as it's properly diluted to lessen the acidity. It's one of the best non-toxic bird bath cleaners and additives that don't use harsh detergents.