Why and how to clean bird feeders?

Message for bird lovers. Making a feeder and placing it in your garden is nice, but regular cleaning is even better. Here you will find everything you need to know about the hygiene of this bird trough.

Why do feeders need to be cleaned?

You may not know it, but feeders are real nests for parasites and bacteria. And it is not for nothing that many birds come to peck and do their needs. As a result, seeds and fat globules become infected and cross-species infestations multiply. One of the most common diseases in bird feeders are salmonellosis and trichomoniasis…

To prevent epidemics, it is therefore imperative to clean your food bowl about every 12 days, as recommended by the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO). To do this, follow the steps below.


Photo: Shutterstock

How to clean the feeders?

Make sure you are well equipped

Before you start cleaning and disinfecting your food bowl, it is advisable to be well rested. For this, put on a pair of gloves and bring a sponge.

remove dirt

Once you’re rested, remove the debris (excrement, seeds, stuck leaves, etc.) with a stiff brush or garden knife. This step is essential to remove all traces of bacteria or disease.

Disinfect the food bowl

Finally, disinfect the feeder with white vinegar diluted in a little cold water. Rub with a sponge and rinse thoroughly. Be careful not to use industrial products that can be toxic to birds and the environment (such as bleach).


Photo: Shutterstock

Now you know what to do to protect birds from disease. And if you’re interested, here are 6 fun tutorials for making a feeder.

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