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How to maintain a bird bath

How to maintain a bird bath

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Wednesday, 2 October 2019 at 2:06 pm

Keep your garden birds healthy, by regularly cleaning your bird bath. We show you how.

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Set amongst plants in borders, bird baths give birds the security they need to safely drink, bathe and preen their feathers.

It's important to change the water daily and clean baths at least once a week, as algae, leaves and bird droppings will contaminate the water. Placing bird baths away from feeders will stop any seed and nut debris falling in, too.

To get birds to visit your garden in the first instance, it's important that you provide natural food sources, shelter, supplementary food and nesting sites, as well as water.

Follow these simple steps to maintain your bird baths.

You Will Need

Rubber gloves
Bucket of hot, soapy water
Scrubbing brush (for hygiene reasons, the brush and bucket should only be used for cleaning bird feeders and bird baths. They should be kept outside and only be used outside, away from food preparation areas)
Large stone or two
Non-toxic disinfectant

Ensure you follow good hygiene practices by always wearing rubber gloves and washing your hands and forearms thoroughly afterwards with soap and water.

Step 1

Scrubbing the bird bath

Wearing rubber gloves, empty the water and any leaves or other debris. Use a brush to scrub away algae and dirt with hot soapy water. Spray the bird bath with non-toxic disinfectant and leave for a few minutes. Rinse off thoroughly. Wash hands and forearms with soap and water.

Step 2

Filling the bird bath with water

Leave bath to air dry, then fill with fresh tap water. The water will evaporate quickly during warm weather, so top it up every day.

Step 3

Adding a stone to the bird bath

Add a large stone or two to the bath to increase perching space for the birds and help them make a fast getaway if needed.

Winter maintenance

Birds will want to use bird baths in winter, too, so prevent the water from freezing over by melting it with a kettle and changing the water daily.

Blue tit. Photo: Getty Images.

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