Keeping your bird bath sparkling clean

Cleaning a bird bath is crucial for protecting your feathered friends from harmful bacteria that can develop in dirty water. As the weather warms up and birds migrate back to the South, bird baths will soon be in use again. It might seem like an extra chore, but neglecting to clean the bird bath can lead to visiting birds becoming ill from contaminated water.

Watching birds splash in a clean bird bath is one of the greatest pleasures of gardening. While cleaning a bird bath may not always be at the top of your list of gardening priorities, it does require regular attention.

Why it’s important to know how to clean a bird bath

In most urban areas, water can be a limited resource for birds, especially during hot, dry summers. Clean bird baths filled with water are readily used by birds year-round for drinking and bathing. Knowing how to clean your bird bath is crucial to its effectiveness in attracting birds. To prevent the spread of bacteria within the local wildlife, cleaning out the bird bath is crucial, as it can easily become contaminated. Algae is also one of the more common substances found in your bird bath, and when left unchecked for a while, the water will turn murky and unpleasant for birds.

Image Credit: Pexels

Guide to cleaning your bird bath

You should rinse out the bath regularly to remove any build-up of bird droppings, algae, dead leaves and other debris that may be accumulated on the bird bath.
Give your bird bath a thorough clean. Scrub well to remove any algae and other dirt. Using household disinfectants may be necessary, but always check that they are formulated for bird baths. For an alternative, safer method, use vinegar water.
Rinse thoroughly and refill with clean water. It is ideal to replenish and replace the water every few days during summer.