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Talkback: How to clean bird feeders
I was hoping that this item would show how to clean plastic seed containers which I find much more difficult to clean than the peanut mesh ones.
I clean mine at every refill but it's always hard to get the base clean. I use a metal skewer, soak it in warm soapy water etc but it's not easy, particularly if it's been raining a lot.
In spite of keeping my own containers clean I had a dunnock in my garden which clearly had avian pox. I live in Merseyside which the RSPB said was the most northerly report they'd received. I only recognised the disease because of national publicity last year.
Any more tips on cleaning plastic containers would be very welcome. Thanks.
I clean mine at every refill but it's always hard to get the base clean. I use a metal skewer, soak it in warm soapy water etc but it's not easy, particularly if it's been raining a lot.
In spite of keeping my own containers clean I had a dunnock in my garden which clearly had avian pox. I live in Merseyside which the RSPB said was the most northerly report they'd received. I only recognised the disease because of national publicity last year.
Any more tips on cleaning plastic containers would be very welcome. Thanks.
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I find the best way to clean seed feeders is to dismantle them as much as possible and wash the components in a bucket of hot soapy water (soak them overnight if you can) I know this is time consuming but you should try to do this at least every month. Otherwise clean them as much as possible with a brush and cloth and then rinse with the garden hose fitted with a high pressure nozzle,(be sure to wear eye protection) paying attention to the hard to reach parts of the feeder.
I hope this advice was helpful to you
Thanks very much.
I do try to dismantle them but the bases are the problem. I've got one soaking in a bucket of soapy water at the moment. I intend to get a longer, sturdier bottle-brush too. The high pressure nozzle is a good idea as I've only tried a full-on sink tap so far.
I think it's possible to buy feeders that the bases come off but they might be expensive - will have to look. I have 7 hooks but about 10 feeders so that I can put a clean fresh one up each time I take an empty one down. The 'square' Gardman(?) ones are easy to clean but the seeds get wet as soon as it rains.
Mostly I feed sunflower hearts which are particularly popular with the goldfinches - even when there are niger seeds available. I've been pleased to see them eating from my teasels too.
I haven't had my feeders out for a while - mainly because they need a good clean and I haven't had the time but I really should get my act together now the weather is finally getting colder.
I've always used Detox or diluted bleach - is this not good enough?
soak in jays fluid or bleach watered down over night this kills viruses bactiria that travel about on birds and gets all the muck off much easier its good
you dont need vetinerary disinfectant just use the old fashioned jays fluid spray this is a multi purpose disinfectant and once rinsed off its harmless to plants animals
kater1 - I'm having problems getting to the bottom of my plastic feeder too, and have just resolved to buy a new one that dismantles better so I can clean it more easily. If I find a cheap one I'll let you know!
full-time-mum - diluted bleach is fine, but make sure you rinse it well afterwards. Otherwise veterinary disinfectant is available from the RSPB shop
Birdie2 - if you have seen birds looking ill, it would be better to remove all the debris beneath your feeding station to avoid contamination of healthy birds.
Kate
I think you may be worrying too much. All this cleaning and disinfecting will harm the birds and the environment more in that you reduce their natural ability to fight diseases and infections. The same rule applies to households. Of course, if you do actually genuinely see an ill bird, do clean but otherwise I wouldn't even think about it. We've been putting sunflower seeds out on simple bird tables hanging from trees and our balconies, for years, and it's a sight to behold! Can't recall the last time we cleaned them. Birds are not that dirty, its the holders. I'd recommend sticking to simple bird tables with a low roof cover if you want, and hang them in places away from trees if you have a problem with squirrels...