Christie’s Blog

Mid July 2024

Help the Songbirds! Clean their Feeders

If you’re getting  a little bored in this hot weather and don’t have garden work to do except water, a good task to perform is to clean your bird feeders.

The main reason it’s important, especially in wet weather, is that when bird seed gets moldy, bacteria and fungi can grow and cause birds to get sick or die. Salmonella is one disease often seen. These diseases can wipe out entire bird colonies. Dirty feeders also attract insects and rodents.

So get on your crummy clothes – grab a big bucket, a long handled scrub brush, bleach, a powerful hose nozzle and follow these steps.

1. Take down feeders and dump out any  remaining food. This is especially good to do right before you fill empty feeders given the price of bird food. I have 10 feeders. My husband tells me we should invest in a bird seed company..

2. Next, blast each feeder clean with a powerful nozzle on your  hose.

3. Use a long necked brush to scrub all areas that you can get to. Some people take the feeders apart but I have a hard time figuring out how to put some of them back together.

4. It’s time to grab a large bucket and  fill it with water.

5. Mix 1 part bleach for 9 parts water.  Don’t use too much bleach.

Another option is to use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water,  but I have so many feeders I think bleach is less expensive. You can buy expensive cleaners from the bird stores. I try to save my money for bird food, not store bought cleaners

6. Dunk each feeder in the bleach mixture.

7. Leave feeders in the bucket of bleach and water about an hour,  then turn them upside down and leave them a bit longer so all areas are sterilized.

8. Let all bird feeder parts dry outand,

9. Voila! Fill them up and hang them!

I have read that a feeder owner should  clean the feeders every 2 weeks! (Forget it!)  I guess I’m horrible and only do mine a few times a year.

The point for me writing this blog is to encourage you do it at least once a year and more if you can.

In any case, happy blasting!  Listen carefully and hear the birdies singing as you work.

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as a personal and professional gardener.