How to Keep Large Bird Baths Clean

Not only is a dirty bird bath unattractive, but it can actually be dangerous to the birds. A dirty bird bath doesn’t help the birds, because they only want to drink and bathe in clean water. And, dirty water can spread disease. Plus, mosquitoes are attracted to stagnant water. And the last thing you want is a swarm of mosquitoes hatching in your backyard!

How Do Bird Baths Get So Dirty?

Unfortunately, bird baths can get contaminated very quickly. They can get filled with dust, dirt, grass clippings, leaves, twigs, seeds, bird poop, and bird feathers. If a lot of birds visit your bird bath each day, it’ll get dirtier faster. And if your yard has trees that drop a lot of leaves, seeds, or pollen, these plant materials will find their way quickly into your bird bath. You’ll probably need to clean it on a regular basis. 

1. Small bird baths get dirty more quickly than large bird baths

If you have a tiny little bird bath, it’ll get filled with debris much more quickly. Large bird baths are the answer! Of course, that also means there is more surface area to get filled with leaves and grass clippings—however, you’ll be able to go longer in between cleanings when you have a large bird bath.

2.  Choose the placement carefully

If your birdbath is filling up with debris, it might just be in the wrong spot. If it’s too close to your bird feeders, it might get filled up with birdseed and hulls. If it’s too close to a tree or plant that drops a lot of debris, then that is a problem, too. Try shifting your birdbath to a location that might keep it a bit cleaner.

3. Regularly check it and remove debris

Whenever you’re out in your garden, check the bird bath for large debris and remove it as soon as you see it. The longer the debris sits in there, the dirtier it’ll get, making it hard to clean.

4. Use a scale inhibiting product to prevent stains and buildup

Hard water can contain calcium, iron, and copper, which can, unfortunately, stain your bird bath over time. There are some products out there that are safe for birds and great for helping to prevent stains and other problems with your bird bath. Try the Protec Scale Inhibitor for a safe way to dissolve mineral deposits and stains. It will treat existing buildup and prevent future problems. When used regularly, it’ll keep your birdbath looking great for years to come.

5. Clean the surfaces of the bird bath

Sometimes, your birdbath will need to be completely cleaned out. Hopefully, if you’ve followed the tips above, you won’t have to do this very often. But thankfully, it doesn’t take too long to clean. Dump out the water, if possible (this may be hard for large birdbaths). Use a higher pressure setting on your hose to rinse it out. Then, use a birdbath-safe cleaning product to remove stains and grime and follow manufacturer instructions.

Looking for large bird baths for your garden? We have lots to choose from at The Garden Gates!