Keeping birdbaths, bird feeders, and bird houses clean at BirdsAndBackyards.com

Keeping Devices Clean and Healthy

It is necessary to keep birdfeeders, birdhouses, and birdbaths clean. They should be washed from time to time with a mild disinfectant. Keeping them in a cool dry place is suggested because moisture and open air causes mold, and stale, moldy or rotted seed may cause illness among birds. Also, feed should not be stored in old milk containers or other used containers. Residue from the contents remains and may contaminate bird feed. Like humans, birds are sensitive to their food and will detect a sour taste or smell.

Check your feeder regularly to see if the feed is being eaten within two weeks. After this period, dispose of any remaining seeds since it could be moldy already (and clean out your feeder if it has gotten moldy as well). If there is much feed left over, try using less when refilling. This will also prevent waste.

Wild birds require high protein diets and benefit most from quality seeds. Black oil sunflower seed is the most well-known seed for birds. Be aware that plain sunflower seed or bulk seed bought out of a bin can be second-rate feed.

For hummingbirds, it is even more essential to maintain a clean hummingbird feeder and healthy nectar. These birds need are more dependent on healthy food because of their high metabolic demands.