How to Eliminate Algae in Birdbaths

Having a birdbath in your yard is an effective lure for the avid or casual bird watcher. However, bird baths require some amount of maintenance to keep them clean and attractive to birds. Unsightly algae is a common intruder and will often discourage all but the most thirsty birds. Eliminating algae from your birth bath is not difficult; it only requires a little elbow grease.

Things You'll Need

• Scrub Brush
• Birdbath cleaner
• Birdbath water cleaner

Instructions

1. Remove all the water from your birdbath.

2. 

   Scrub gently at the inner bowl of the birdbath with the scrub brush. If there is prior algae growth, apply a commercial birdbath cleaner and scrub until it is eliminated.

3. Rinse the bowl thoroughly with clean water to remove all traces of the cleaner. Refill the bath with fresh water.

4. Add a commercial birdbath water cleaner to the fresh water to discourage future algae growth and help maintain clear water. One example is Microbe-Lift Birdbath Clear.

Tips & Warnings

• Change the water in the birdbath often to maintain clear water, a clean bowl and discourage mosquitoes from colonizing in the standing water.

• Birds are very sensitive to detergents. If you use something other than a cleaner specifically meant for birdbaths, make sure the bowl is thoroughly rinsed out.

References

• Clean Your Birdbath

Resources

• Microbe-Lift Birthbath Clear
• Birdbath Cleaner