How to Clean Bird Feeders to Prevent the Spread of Diseases

(Photo : Wooden Earth Ltd)

The month of February is considered as the bird-feeding month. It is a wonderful time to celebrate our feathered friends and provide them with extra water and food to help them get through the winter. However, if you have an unclean bird-feeder hanging around your garden for weeks, you might be placing your avian neighbors at risk of illnesses or even death.

Bird Feeders and the Potential Spread of Diseases

Many bird diseases like avian pox, conjunctivitis, trichomoniasis, and salmonellosis have been historically connected to congregations at bird feeders. In relation to this, Washington officials asked their residences to remove their bird baths and feeders until March. This is to prevent or slow down the spread of diseases that might kill native and visiting birds in the area.

The Audubon Society recorded that an irruption of pine siskins has been going South into the US. These birds most likely carry salmonella bacteria that can cause salmonellosis (a fatal disease). Moreover, the recent influx of pine siskins to crowded birdbaths and feeders is believed to be fueling the spread of the said disease.

Salmonellosis tends to affect evening grosbeaks, house finches, and goldfinches. However, pine siskins are more susceptible due to their tendency to gather around in groups. If by any chance that an infected bird poops in the bird feeder and a healthy bird eats it, the healthy bird might get infected.

Birds with salmonellosis most likely become emaciated and dehydrated, which eventually leads to their death. Besides that, there is also a risk of transferring the disease from one bird to another because of the gathering in the baths and feeders. However, this is rare in nature.

Tips in Cleaning Your Bird Feeders

The facts stated above are one of the reasons why you should know how to clean your bird feeder. An unclean bird feeder can attract mold, bacteria, and other diseases that can quickly impact birds in your area. Lucky for you, cleaning a bird feeder is a piece of cake.

Here are some tips you should know:

Choose an Easy-to-Clean Type of Bird Feeder

If you choose a wooden bird feeder, there is a big chance that it will absorb oils and other debris. This makes them challenging to clean over time. Bird feeders made out of metal, glazed ceramic, recycled plastic, or glass can be easy to maintain. To know more about different bird feeder types and designs, you can visit birdinformer.com.

Always Remember to Clean Regularly

It would be best to clean your bird feeders at least once per month. However, busy bird feeders might need more cleaning than the one recommended. This will depend on how many seeds are consumed and how many birds are using the feeders. Furthermore, if you have oriole feeders and hummingbird feeders, it would help if you clean them every time the nectar is refilled.

Consider Using Proper Cleaning Solutions

You can sanitize a bird feeder by using a one part bleach to nine parts hot water solution. Moreover, a mild solution of unscented dish soap or a commercial bird feeder cleaning solution also does the job.

Soak Bird Feeders First

It would be best to soak bird feeders first before scrubbing and cleaning them. This is because soaking will help loosen the debris, which makes it easier to clean. Furthermore, you can opt to completely soak your entire bird feeder in a washtub, utility sink, or a large basin.

Remember to Clean All Feeder Parts

To ensure your bird feeder is 100% clean, clean it inside and out. You should include the lids, perches, reservoirs, feeding ports, and platforms. Besides that, the feeder's poles, hook, and other parts that the birds might poop or perch should also be cleaned.

Consider Using Proper Equipment

To avoid any contamination, it would be best for you to use rubber gloves when cleaning. You can also opt to use stiff brushes to provide a thorough cleaning. Pet supply stores, nature stores, and garden centers usually offer specialized brushes for bird feeders' different shapes and sizes. However, regular bottle brushes also work.

Using an old toothbrush also is great for cleaning the small parts, tight corners, and feeding ports of the bird feeders. On the other hand, a stiff pipe cleaner really comes in handy for pulling through tiny feeding portholes.

Rinse Thoroughly

After cleaning the bird feeders with your cleaning solution, it is time to rinse. It would be best to rinse it for several seconds to ensure all the chemical residue has been eliminated. Moreover, it would help if you ensure that there are no lingering suds, stuck-on debris, or chemical odors left after rinsing the feeder.

Dry Completely

Always make sure the bird feeder has been dried completely before you refill it. If there is any remaining moisture, it can cause a build-up of mold and mildew. This could lead to rotten seeds and might cause illness to birds.

Cleaning The Area Surrounding Bird Feeders

Besides ensuring your bird feeders are clean, it would also be best to clean the nearby areas. This is to ensure you provide a safe and healthy environment for your avian neighbors. You can do this by doing the following:

Remove fallen fruits or rotten fruits from your trees where birds might feed;
Refresh gravel or mulch beneath the bird feeder to cover the droppings;
Keep fences, birdbaths, and other perches clean;
Remove any damp or old seeds beneath the bird feeders;
Trim the grass underneath your bird feeders for easy cleaning.

In Conclusion

A clean bird feeder will definitely attract more birds because they find clean and fresh seeds more nutritious and appealing. Not only that, but it also helps minimize the potential spread of diseases and other problems of having a dirty bird feeder. Furthermore, it would also be best not to clean the bird feeders alone, but also the surrounding area to ensure a healthy environment for your feathered friends.