I really hate cleaning, but I love my birds and I know that harmful bacteria can flourish in and around feeders, baths and houses. So I developed a simple cleaning routine for myself that just takes a few minutes and keeps my feathered friends happy and healthy.
To keep it safe, quick, and easy, before I go out to my yard, I slip on a pair of rubber gloves to protect myself from harmful bacteria. I hang my trusty Bird Bath & Feeder Brush on the hose reel and every time I go to refill my baths I give them a quick scrub-a-dub and a rinse. In the heat of summer, my baths get lots of use so I am brushing and filling daily. Every week I sanitize my bath with a vinegar solution. Just mix 4 cups of white vinegar with 1 gallon of water in the bird bath, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then scrub and rinse well. It will sparkle!
I clean my feeders every week as well. First, I give my feeders a good spritz with 3B Protection Spray. Let it sit on the feeder for 15 minutes and then give them a good once-over with a Feeder Brush. A good rinse and an hour drying in the sun and the feeders are ready for some fresh seed. If you have a Duncraft tube feeder, click here for detailed cleaning instructions.
I wash my nectar feeders with hot soapy water, followed by thorough rinsing, every single I time I refill them. Starting with a clean feeder helps keep the nectar fresher for a longer time. A dash of Nectar Defender makes a world of difference in how long the nectar stays fresh.
Bird houses really need to get cleaned out at the end of the season to rid them of yucky germs and parasites. The 3B Protection Spray and a good brush work great for houses, too.
Nobody needs extra chores, but it really feels great knowing that I’m doing my best to keep my birds safe and healthy. Do you have any tips for keeping your backyard bird equipment clean? Let us know!
Make every day a happy bird day!
Special note: We encourage our customers to protect themselves from potential harmful bacteria when working around outdoor areas frequented by wildlife. Use protective gloves when handling Bird feeders, baths, and houses. Before going back inside your home, you will want to place your gloves in a pail of water and bleach to disinfect (or use disposable gloves). To be extra safe, wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap once you have completed your cleaning chores.
The most complete disinfecting procedure for hard surfaces such as Feeders, Baths and Houses is to clean using a 10% bleach solution. Once a week (or more if you have seen sickly looking birds) is ideal for optimal disinfecting. First, wet and scrub all surfaces with a brush, then soak in a solution of 10% bleach/water for a minimum of 4 minutes (per CDC recommendation). Next, rinse thoroughly with water then wash all surfaces with a mild dish soap to remove bleach film and residue. Rinse well and dry completely before setting back outside for the birds.
