Cleaning Bird Feeders

How To Clean Your Bird Feeder:  

Moldy or decomposed seeds and hulls that accumulate on feeder trays can easily make birds become ill. Contaminants such as bird droppings on your feeder can also spread infectious bird diseases. Clean your feeders about once every couple of weeks, and even more often during seasons of heavy use. The best way is to wash your feeder thoroughly in hot, soapy water and soak or rinse it in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Be sure to dry the feeder completely before filling it as to not affect the new feed.   

Clean the area below your feeder too, in order to stop any build-up of birdseed hulls and other waste. Moldy or spoiled food is unhealthy for your pets and other wild animals, not just the bird. Bird food scattered on the ground can also attract rodents, and prevent grass from growing. Space your feeders apart to prevent overcrowding and be certain they don’t have any sharp edges that can injure the birds.   

Cleaning Hummingbird Feeders:  

Your hummingbird sugar solution should be changed every four to five days to prevent mold and deadly fermentation and the hummingbird feeder is best cleaned at least weekly with hot water and a bottle brush. Be sure not to use soap or a detergent. Your hummingbird feeder can also be cleaned by filling it with a dilute bleach solution and rinsing it very thoroughly.

DO NOT use honey in hummingbird food. Honey ferments easily and can grow mold that is dangerous and can even be fatal to hummingbirds. If bees, wasps, or ants become a problem, try moving the feeder to another location and DO NOT put any kind of oil around feeding portals to deter the bees, as the oil might contaminate the nectar.

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