Stokes Select Tips for Cleaning Feeders
by Don and Lillian Stokes
1. For the health and safety of birds, it’s important to clean your bird feeders regularly. This will prevent the transmission of disease and keep your birds healthy. If you have many feeders, cleaning them on a rotating schedule will shorten the task each time.
2. Start by emptying or scraping any old or moldy seed or debris out of the feeder into a trash bag, not onto the ground. Use rubber gloves on your hands while cleaning feeders.
3. Disassemble the feeder, saving any screws or parts to insure you can put it back together.
4. Thoroughly clean feeders with soapy water, using bottle or scrub brushes, if necessary. Rinse, then dip in a mild bleach solution (nine parts water to one part bleach). Rinse thoroughly with clear water, then let dry before refilling.
5. Frequently rake up any old or moldy seed or hulls from the ground under the feeders and dispose of it. Periodically move feeders to new locations to prevent seed build up on the ground.
6. Keep bird seed in a cool, dry place in rodent and insect-proof containers. Discard any that is musty or moldy. Buy new seed regularly and keep fresh seed in the feeders.
7. Give birds space for feeding. Adding feeders, spread apart in different areas of your yard will reduce crowding of birds and the potential for transmission of disease between healthy and sick birds. Plus it will allow a wider variety of birds to feed, adding to your bird feeding enjoyment.