Bird Bath Care

Algae growth makes a bird bath unattractive to birds.

Attract birds to your yard by providing them with a bird bath to drink, play and bathe in. Whether your bird bath is made of plastic, metal or cement, regular maintenance keeps it attractive to the birds while also keeping them healthy. Spending just a few minutes a week caring for your bird bath keeps it clean and inviting.

Water Quality

Change the water frequently so it remains clear. Birds may avoid bird baths with dirty water, and dirty water is also more likely to spread disease. Change the water daily when possible, otherwise water changes every two to three days are usually sufficient. If you notice debris or waste in the water, change it immediately. Fallen leaves rot in the water and make it unfit for consumption and bathing. Ground-based bird baths often fill with debris more quickly than the pedestal style. Replace with clear water to a depth of 2 to 3 inches -- most birds avoid baths with deeper water levels.

Weekly Cleaning

Scrub the birdbath at least once a week to prevent algae growth. Dump out the water and scrub the interior surface of the bath with a nylon scrub brush. Use a mild dish soap on badly soiled baths to help ease cleaning, and rinse thoroughly before refilling. Avoid algae removal products as the chemicals in these treatments may harm the birds. If the algae is growing quickly, move the bird bath to an area that receives some shade. Algae thrive in warm water in direct sunlight.

Disinfecting the Bath

Disinfect the bird bath monthly during the spring, summer and fall. Regularly disinfecting the bath prevents the spread of disease and pests to healthy birds. Make a weak bleach solution by adding one part bleach to nine parts water. Rinse the bird bath in the bleach solution. Allow the bath to air-dry completely before adding water to ensure that any residual bleach evaporates off the bath completely. If a bird disease outbreak occurs in your area, disinfect the bath more often.

Winter Concerns

Birds depend on bird baths more in the winter than at other times of year since many natural water sources are frozen over. During light freezes break the ice on the surface of the water in your bird bath so the birds have access to fresh drinking water. If you area experiences hard freezes, consider installing a bird-bath heater. These heaters are available at most garden centers. Also, continue to replace the water and clean the bath regularly throughout the winter months. Clean water is important at any time of year.

References

• University of Nebraska; Water for the Birds; Mary Jane Frogge; April 1995
• Penn State Extension; Pennsylvania Wildlife; Water for Wildlife: Bird Baths and Backyard Ponds; Jennifer DeCocco; 2003