Chicago Home and Lifestyles – 4 crucial tips for bird bath cleaning and maintenance

If you feed the backyard birds like I do, you probably have a bird bath! It’s great for the birds to hydrate and care for their feathers. Unfortunately, when the water is stagnant it can accumulate harmful bacteria and other pathogens. 

Here’s how to reduce the spread of disease among birds and lessen mosquito breeding with bird bath maintenance:

Change the water. Replace old water completely, especially between cleanings, rather than just adding fresh water to dirty water. Pour out the old water into the lawn or a nearby flower bed so it will soak in and not accumulate. Changing every few days or so should be good enough. This is especially important during hot weather or if you have heavy bird activity!

Do a good cleaning once a week. 

Step 1: Put on a pair of waterproof gloves to protect your hands. 

Step 2: Repeat the steps for changing the water, but then rinse out the bird bath with a hose or bucket of clean water. 

Step 3: Next, mix 9 parts of water and 1-part distilled vinegar and pour the solution in the bath. Vinegar is best because soaps (like common dish soaps) have chemicals that strip bird feathers of their oils. 

Step 4: Scrub thoroughly, paying attention to heavy algae buildup. You’ll need a brush that’s made for the material of your bird bath: a wire brush for ceramic, stone or other hard material, and a gentle, nylon dish scrubber for lightweight plastic birdbaths (to prevent surface scratches that give a place for algae to invade). 

Step 5: Rinse the birdbath thoroughly and let it dry in the sun to ensure all vinegar has evaporated. Refill with fresh water!

Maintain the bath between cleanings. This is the best way to keep it sanitary. Keep the birdbath in the shade, if possible, to reduce evaporation and keep the water cooler. Near a low shrub or tree is best for shade and cover. The bath should be no more than 2 inches deep as deeper water is harder to keep clean and is less comfortable for smaller birds to wash. 

Try dynamic options. If you can, consider adding a running water feature like a fountain or even a slow trickle from a hose. Moving and dripping water is very attractive to birds and discourages mosquitoes looking to breed. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago