A bird bath can be a beautiful addition to your property that not only adds a distinct visual touch but also attracts a wide variety of birds and wildlife. However, two things come from attracting wildlife to your yard.
Bird Baths - Two Things to Consider
First, they tend to get dirty fairly quickly, and second, you don’t get to pick and choose what wildlife shows up. Some birds ignore bird baths simply because they’re not kept clean or the water isn’t refreshed regularly, which can discourage certain species from visiting.
Algae build up from standing water with plenty of natural debris in it is a constant concern, and mosquitoes that use that water for their spawns are two big problems that turn your tranquil bird bath area into an annoying experience.
Today, we’re diving into some simple yet effective bird bath cleaning tips to help you avoid common issues and make the most of everything your bird bath has to offer.
1. Clean It Frequently With Mild Soap
The first and most important tip is for you to regularly clean your bird bath. Both of the primary issues we mentioned come from the water being allowed to build up contaminants and sit stagnant for a fair period.
This doesn’t have to be done constantly to the point that having a pedestal bird bath is an inconvenient chore, but once per week is a good schedule to get on.
Cleaning is simple, too. Simply empty the bird bath completely, scrub it down with a mild soap, and then rinse it clean so the birds and squirrels aren’t drinking soapy water.
Make sure you scrub enough to scrub all the caked-on gunk and really cover the entirety of the bird bath, and this simple task will go a long way toward keeping algae and mosquitoes down.
2. Use BTI
BTI, or otherwise known as “mosquito dunks”, are additives you can use that kill mosquito eggs before they’re able to hatch.
If you add this to your bird bath water, you won’t have to worry about mosquitoes swarming your bird bath.
The best part is that this is a natural solution that doesn’t harm the animals you want to attract. So, unlike synthetic pest deterrents, you can enjoy the birds and squirrels using your fountain without mosquitoes, and you don’t even have to worry about accidentally harming the wildlife.
The amount you need and how often you have to add more will be marked on the mosquito dunk products you’re using.
3. Change the Water Regularly
Earlier, we mentioned that you should gently clean the bird bath once a week, but you should change the water even more often. Every couple of days, or at least twice a week, you should dump out the birdbath’s water and replace it with fresh water.
This gets rid of all the contaminants that have built up and gives the local wildlife clean, fresh water to drink.
Ensuring the water is always clean and fresh is key to helping your birds thrive year-round, especially during the colder months when many species rely more on bird baths for hydration.
4. Consider a Circulating Fountain
A standard birdbath with still water is perfectly fine, but you might want to consider purchasing one that includes some sort of circulation, or you might want to buy a floating circulator.
Not only does the movement of water add a visual touch, but it also greatly slows the growth of algae and mosquitoes.
Stagnant, still water gets bad a lot faster than moving water.
Enhance Your Home with a Birdbath
Whether you want to attract some wildlife to your garden for an extra-relaxing reading spot or you simply like the look of a birdbath, contact us at The Birdhouse Chick for a wide variety of top-quality birdbaths, birdhouses, and more!
