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Remember to wash your bird feeders
Secret Squirrel
Posts: 533
Hi
Just a reminder to wash your bird feeders before putting them out. They can harbour bacteria, that can be lethal. According to the BTO the finch population has declined by 95% since 1995. One contribution to this is a disease called, 'trichomonosis' which is a microscopic parasite. It's more active in the autumn, and is a slow death for the bird, they struggle to swallow food and drink.
If you wish to know more, please contact the British Trust for Ornithology.
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It would be good if bird feeders were easier to clean. My squirrel-proof seed feeder is well made, but to take it to bits you need an appropriate sized screwdriver, and then 3 hands (actually I borrow one of OH's!) to reassemble it, or the fiddly little nut falls out before you can get the bolt back in.
I gave my son a feeder held together with magnets, which is much easier to clean. Expensive though, and not squirrel-proof.
Hi pansyface, Have you contacted RSPB or BTO for advice?
I try to clean the feeders every 6 weeks or so, but it is a pretty vile job and they are fiddly to take apart.
I like the idea of a magnetic one Liriodendron, what make is it?
Sorry Artjak, can't remember - but it came from my local GC so I'll check next time I'm in.
Thanks Pansyface. Identical, I think - the GC sells lots of Gardman products so that would figure.
Hello, I wonder if simple bird feeders can go in the dishwasher? Mine is just plastic coated wire.
Probably better to leave them soaking for a few days in a bucket of water to loosen everything, maybe with the addition of a suitable anti-mould or disinfectant. Then hose off preferably with a pressure washer.
Hi. Is washing up liquid good enough. Thanks
Thanks for the link, but I would need 4 of those little ones to substitute for my 2 big ones = £100
....and even with the big ones I sometimes have to refill every other day.
To wash them, rubber gloves, hot water with fairy liquid and disinfectant, old washing up brush, buckets, rinsing water and all done outside. Once really clean, they dry off on top of the boiler in the conservatory/utility area. I would never wash them in the kitchen. I don't consider myself that fastidious but I feel that that kind of stuff should not be brought into the house.
Artjak, yes - I agree about the cost! That's why the magnetic feeder was a present for my son, not for me...