Regular cleaning with brushes, water and a little bleach keep feeders safe from disease.
A variety of brushes, a little bleach or vinegar and a good bit of scrubbing keep bird feeders clean and safe. Without cleaning, feeders can develop bacteria and fungi that can cause disease among birds.
Significance
Clean bird feeders will attract more birds.
The Audubon Workshop likens a bird feeder to a busy restaurant, requiring constant cleaning to maintain sanitary conditions and not spread disease. Feeder buildup of contaminated food or droppings can lead to a variety of problems for birds. In winter or rainy months, wet bird food can quickly develop mold and sicken birds. A clean bird feeder attracts more birds, according to A Home for Wild Birds.
Specialty Tools
Special curved brushes help clean the tight spaces of hummingbird feeders.
While any small bristled brushes can be used to clean bird feeders, some special tools make the job easier. The longest-lasting have nylon bristles and wood handles, according to Bird and Yard. A Home for Wild Birds suggests brushes that are long and narrow with angled tips to reach into corners and seams.
Hummingbird feeder brushes are usually about eight inches long and curved. They have soft bristles that can reach into the small corners of nectar-holding feeders.
Tube feeder cleaning brushes can be up to two feet long to reach deep into long perpendicular feeders that allow several birds to perch at once. Tube feeder brushes look and act much like bottle brushes, reaching deep into the vessel to loosen and remove dirt and grime.
Additional Tools
Any hard-bristled brush can be used to clean flat areas of bird feeders.
Any large, square, hard-bristled brush can be used for for scrubbing flat areas of larger feeders.
Bird Watcher's Digest suggests keeping a couple of putty knives handy to scrape away ice, snow, droppings or other buildup. A small narrow putty knife can be used to pry solidified debris out of seams and corners. Pressure washers or a garden hose with a pressure nozzle will make cleaning easier. The force of the spray will dislodge any buildup inside the feeder.
Since brushing and washing can scatter seed and small pieces of debris, eye protection should be worn when cleaning feeders.
Cleaning
To clean a feeder, mix nine parts water with one part bleach or vinegar. A Home for Wild Birds recommends wearing rubber gloves. Using the brush that fits the feeder best, scrub all inside and outside surfaces. Rinse with clean water and dry with a towel or allow to air dry.
Considerations
The Audubon Workshop recommends cleaning bird feeders every couple weeks during heavy-use periods, depending on conditions. A Home for Wild Birds suggests a quick cleaning every time new seed is added to a feeder. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned as the nectar empties to eliminate the risk of mold or fermentation.
A full inspection and cleaning should be undertaken in the fall to prepare seed feeders for heavy winter usage, according to A Home for Wild Birds. In addition to regular quick cleanings throughout the winter, a heavy mid-winter clean with hot water is recommended.
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