SEARCH HERE
Black Forest Garden Club
  • Home
  • Classes, Workshops, and Events
  • To Read
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Join the Club!

How to clean a bird bath

8/3/2022

 
Picture
By Kathy Sullivan, Communications

Bird baths are a great source of water and bathing for birds and as such require more maintenance than you might realize.


Clean your birdbath(s) - that sometimes includes a little scrubbing - and fill with fresh water regularly. This ensures better health for our avian friends.

To clean, follow three simple steps:
1.  Dump old water completely.
2.  Scrub, rinse, scrub, rinse well. Use only water.
2.  Refill with fresh water.

Birdbath water should be replaced every two to four days until a scrub cleaning is again needed.

Tips for Maintaining a Bird Bath (from BHG.com)
  • When choosing the bird bath's location, opt for a shady spot over one in direct sunlight; direct sun will cause water to evaporate quickly, leaving a small pool of stagnant water that will hasten bacterial and fungal growth.
  • Always dispose of old, dirty water before refilling with fresh water; avoid "topping off" a bird bath.
  • Place the bath away from bird feeders. If your outdoor space allows for it, position the bird bath in a place where falling leaves, needles, and other flora will not collect in the basin.
  • Drop a penny in the bird bath; copper helps to inhibit algae, which will keep the bath cleaner, longer. Look for a penny from 1982 or before, as pennies minted after 1982 are made primarily of zinc, not copper.
  • Add a wildlife-safe enzyme to the water to help reduce algae growth.

Comments are closed.

    Authors

    Blog posts are written by Kathy Sullivan, Communications Director.  Contact BFGC:  blackforestgardenclub@gmail.com 
    If you would like to submit a guest article please email us.

    Archives

    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    September 2019
    March 2014
    November 2013


    Categories

    All
    BOOKS
    EVENTS
    FLOWERS
    GARDENING TIPS
    GROWING TIPS
    PLANTS
    SOIL
    TREES
    VEGETABLES
    WATER
    WILDLIFE