How-To Guide To Keep Birdbaths Fresh and Clean
Cleaning products are available for bird bath care on this page.
Cleaning birdbaths can be quick and easy if you take the time to consider what a birdbath is made of before you purchase one.
They are made out of many different materials, some are more convenient to keep in good shape for our feathered friends and others have disadvantages.
So it is an important question to ask before purchasing a bath.
Will it be easy to clean? Some materials that water baths are made of are hard to clean, such as concrete and some plastics.
These materials are porous and absorb stains.
It has been difficult to impossible, in the past to keep them clean.
It is easier to keep baths clean now because of the newer products available on the market.
They clean better and can be added to the water to keep it fresher, longer.
These products also prevent concrete and plastic baths from staining.
Many of the newer products for bird bath care are environmentally friendly, natural enzymes.
The enzymes will not harm wild birds when they drink the water and are actually good for the ecology.
Resin, glazed ceramic, glass, and metal baths are relatively easy to clean because of their harder surface.
The material itself is either too dense to allow for anything to be absorbed, or the finish, as in the case of glazed ceramic prevents substances from penetrating into the material.
But cement and some resins may absorb stains and make it difficult to keep the water safe for birds to consume.
That is where natural enzyme cleaners are very helpful.
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Here is a larger selection of bird bath cleaning products.
Why Is It Important To Keep A Bird Bath Clean?
There are some options for keeping the water fresh and clean.
But there is no choice involved whether to clean it or not to clean it.
Like bird feeders, once a person decides to take up the activity, keeping things clean is a must!
The reasons are obvious and simple. Water baths are regularly contaminated with bird droppings, feathers, algae, dust
and dirt blew in from around the yard.
Dirty bath water and bird feeders cause wild birds to contract disease, leading to sickness or even death.
As well bird baths left standing too long with stagnant water could be a breeding ground for mosquitoes carrying West Nile disease and other sickness.
Clean Bird Baths often & well to keep it safe for birds.
Methods For Cleaning Bird Baths:
- Mix a solution of white vinegar (1 part) and water (4 parts). After rinsing the bath out, pour the white vinegar and water solution in the bath and let it soak for 15 minutes.
- Buy a water bath cleaning product. There are products that contain natural enzymes, are safe for the environment and as I mentioned earlier safe for birds to drink.
- A weak bleach and water solution can be used.
- With your choice of cleaner use a brush to scrub out the water reservoir well.
- Always rinse thoroughly.
How To Keep Your Bird Bath Fresh Longer
- There are some excellent products available that can be added to clean bath water to keep it fresher longer. They are again natural enzymes that are environmentally friendly and can keep a bath fresh, some users suggest, up to a month!
- There are products on the market called wigglers, which can be inserted into the water bath to keep the surface of the water agitated enough to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. Drippers and misters may also serve this purpose.
- Adding a half to a whole teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, the amount depending on how big the birdbath is, will also help keep it free from algae growth longer.
However, any method used to keep the water in the bath fit for birds to drink, does not replace the need to clean the water bath regularly.
Natural enzymes, wigglers, drippers and misters, just put off the need for caring for your birdbath a little longer.
Which of course can be a big help!
How Frequently Should Bird Baths Be Cleaned?
- the number of birds using the bath each day
- a source of water movement will decrease the frequency need for cleaning
- adding store-bought products to keep the water fresh longer
- the amount of sun the bath receives
- but even a water bath in the shade during the heat of summer will need cleaning more often
- a water bath will also need regular cleaning in the winter
- how much rain water has been added
With some guidance on cleaning bird baths (and some elbow grease), you can make watching feathered friends in your backyard safe for wild birds and enjoyable for us!
- Dust Baths, sunbathing and “anting” may seem like odd practices to humans, but we actually practice activities for the very same purposes.
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- #1 Heated Birdbath Review will point out the benefits and the drawbacks of this favorite & versatile heated birdbath.
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- Bird Bathing Info A bath for birds also provides a basic need for the wild birds too and that is water to drink to sustain their lives.