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Spring cleaning taskshave begun.
Many of us are planting flowers, prepping gardens, andrefilling bird feeders.
It looked as if growth had stained the inside of the bath.
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I knew I needed a backyard birding expert to weigh in before I went to work cleaning it.
She also says that the World Wildlife Federation considers fresh water part of a certified wildlife habitat.
So there I had it.
My birdbath wasnt clean and didnt have freshwater, so I knew I needed to fix that.
I enlisted more insight from Hill.
She explained the steps (and missteps!)
of keeping this backyard birding staple clean, plus how to maintain it to keep the birds coming back.
How Often Should You Clean Your Birdbath?
Hill explains that more frequent cleanings are required during certain times of the year, namely the hotter months.
“During cooler weather, refresh as needed and clean every two weeks,” she says.
Stagnant water can breed red, green, and brown algae, which can all stain your birdbath.
She adds that birds may avoid water that has become contaminated, and droppings can contaminate the water further.
You want to avoid this situation and keep the water clean and refreshed.
Can Disease Be Spread From A Dirty Birdbath?
Disease can be spread if the birdbath is dirty.
How Do Birds Use A Birdbath?
Many backyard birds will use a birdbath.
Hill encourages customers who want to avoid maintaining a bird feeder to purchase a birdbath instead.
Maintaining a birdbath with fresh water every few days is a lighter chore than refilling a bird feeder.
She explains that plenty of birds can still be seen with a birdbath.
“For refreshing, just hose out the old water and fill with clean water,” Hill says.
A gravel or cement driveway is the best spot for cleaning the birdbath if you might move it.
Other solutions can be used if you want to avoid using bleach altogether.
