Clean Feeders for Healthy Backyard Birds

With warmer weather and migrating spring songbirds both on the way, it's a good time to clean your birdfeeders. Maintaining clean bird feeders will help prevent the spread of disease among your feeder "patrons."

To clean your feeders, empty out the seed and rinse the feeder with a sharp stream of water to wash away left over debris.  Then wash the feeder in a bleach water solution: about 1/3 to ½ cup of bleach to a gallon of hot water.  Use an old bottle-brush or toothbrush to clean corners and crevices.  Let it soak in the bleach-water for at least five minutes.  Finally, rinse the feeder with fresh water and let it dry COMPLETELY before filling it with fresh seed.

Also remember to clean up fallen seeds and shells from the ground beneath your feeders.  If left to accumulate, they can harbor mold and bacteria that can make birds sick.

Source: Wisconsin Humane Society