Birds are very unique animals to have around; watching them fly around, flap their wings, and make sonorous sounds will make you feel happy.
Seeing birds frolicking around birdbaths and drink from there will make the owner look good just by seeing these beautiful creatures perch on the edge of the bath.
As lovely it is to watch birds move around birdbaths, it is also very important to ensure that the bath is very clean, so you must ensure that it is well cleaned from time to time.
Some birds also swim in the bath so you might want to get rid of contaminated and unclean water and make it suitable for these lovely animals.
Different types of birds such as sparrows, cardinals, blue jays, finches, and others can visit the bath during any season and during summer you have to know how to properly clean the bath so as to prevent algae growth and accumulation of germs.
Knowing how to clean, the materials needed, and steps to be taken when you want to clean is very essential to give the birds the most accommodating bath possible.
Do you need to know how to properly wash your birdbath for your friendly feathered friends? Want to know the way to go about achieving a free, clean and disease-free bathing environment for the birds?
Then this is the best place for you to be. In this article, we will take you through the ways through which you can effectively clean your birdbath for your garden feathered friends, so you should read further to learn more about the process.
Where do you place the Birdbath?
Before deciding on the method to be employed in cleaning the bath for birds, it is important to know the right place to site the birdbath.
When choosing a place to site your birdbath, make sure that the place is well shaded, even if not at all times, it must get shade frequently so as to keep the birds calm around the bath.
The place to site your birdbath must be a place that is free from predators as birds can disappear within seconds of noticing the presence of predators around.
Make sure that the bath is free from external contaminants and must not be present in places where it can be easily contaminated by dirt from trees and other sources of dirt.
What are the Materials Needed to Clean a Birdbath?
There are some essential materials that are needed for a proper cleaning process. Understanding the need for each of these materials will give you an important reason to know why they are required for cleaning.
These materials are going to ease the process involved in cleaning and they include the following:
Rubber gloves: they will help you to avoid contamination of your hand with contaminated materials from the bath.
A stiff-bristled brush: this is needed to properly scrub and wash the cemented bath surface clean. Make sure to use a brush that is very hard to ensure proper cleaning.
A bucket: you will need this to pack the content of the dirty birdbath and also to be able to easily pour the dirt in a faraway place where birds cannot have easy access to it.
A black plastic bag and white vinegar or highly diluted bleach solution: this is needed to help dissolve hard-to-clean materials and to speed up the rate at which cleaning occurs in a birdbath. This will also ensure deep cleaning with less scrubbing.
Water source: water must be readily available for use around the place where the bath has been sited.
A clean water source such as well, rivers, streams, etc. that can provide water all year round must be available. Having a high-pressure hose will be a great addition to your water supply kit.
How to Clean a Birdbath?
Having a good understanding of the materials to use for cleaning, after purchase, the next thing to do is get to it and make it count.
However, you need to ensure that the birdbath is well cleaned and make sure to stay close to the bath while carrying this out so as to ensure that no bird comes near the bath.
Cleaning your birdbath regularly will attract more birds to your area, so if you are a lover of wildlife or you just enjoy having them around, then you should ensure that they are always clean and well protected.
The process involved in cleaning birdbaths is very simple, easy, and not time-consuming as long as you follow the following steps:
#1 – Dispose of the contaminated water into the unused portion of the garden. Wear gloves and remove any organic material that is present in the bath.
#2 – Clean the surface of the bath by scouring with pressurized water or bucket and scrub brush.
#3 – Add water (refill) to the birdbath until it is almost at the peak or when it reaches the previous height or level.
#4 – The amount of contaminant present in the birdbath will affect the cleaning method to be employed.
When cleaning, pay attention to the birds so as to prevent birds from coming near as bleaches and other commercial products may be harmful when consumed.
For deep cleaning:
Use ½ cup of bleach to soak the bath and cover with the black plastic bag and leave to sit in the sun for 20 – 30 minutes.
This will ensure that algae and other heavy contaminants that won’t come off easily will be broken down by the trapped heat.
Drain the water away from the birdbath and dispose of it in a very far place. Make sure that the bath is thoroughly and well cleaned as birds can be very sensitive to chemicals.
If possible, carefully finish with a scrub brush and pressurized water so as to ensure that it is ready for birds’ use.
For regular cleaning:
- Use a mixture of 1 teaspoon of white vinegar to a gallon of water. Vinegar is natural so you can use it on a regular basis.
- Pour the solution in the birdbath and scrub for about 5 – 10 minutes.
- Drain water in an unused part of the garden.
- If possible, rinse the bath with pressurized water.
#1 – Ensure that the bath is properly and completely dried in the sun. This will help in the sterilization of the bath and will cause the discouragement of algae growth and it helps avoid foundation formation in the bath.
You can also add copper coins or any other copper materials in the bath to discourage algae growth.
#2 – Refill the birdbath with clean water at a depth of 1 to 2 inches which is sufficient for birds to drink and bathe/swim. You can as well add stones, drippers, or mister to keep the water in circulation.
How often should you clean the birdbath?
The rate of cleaning birdbath will mostly depend on the level of use by birds. If the birdbath is visited from time to time by birds, then you might have to carry out cleaning on a more regular basis than someone whose bath has only slight visitation.
According to a well-recognized organization, Canadian Wildlife Federation, you should clean birdbath every few weeks.
Conclusion
Cleaning your birdbath is essential for a good visit, good tiding from neighboring places, and to ensure that the birds are safe whenever they are around.
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
