Cleaning Squirrel Proof Feeders

Maintaining Your Squirrel Proof Feeders

If you have squirrel proof feeders , you want to remember to do some regular cleaning maintenance on them. Cleaning a feeder will not only keep it looking nicer but will also help prevent the spread of disease. So not only will you be protecting birds from disease but also protecting bird feeders from looking unsightly.

Having large clusters of birds eating out of the same area is not a natural occurrence. In nature birds find their meals from different areas and different sources. This unnatural gathering can increase the chance of disease as birds are more likely to be exposed to infected droppings.

The other concern with dirty birdfeeders is the risk of birds eating moldy seeds. This can especially be a problem in damp, rainy climates. Anytime you find moldy bird seeds in your birdfeeder, they should be removed immediately. Most birds know instinctually not to eat bad seeds but if they are hungry enough they may still eat it. This is more likely to happen in the winter season when food is scarcer.

To make the cleaning chore easier, it might help to have the proper cleaning supplies handy. You may wish to keep a cleaning kit for bird feeders in a garden shed or near a garden water hose. Always ensure you let the birdfeeder dry completely before refilling it with seed. This helps to avoid seeds getting damp and moldy.

Cleaning kit supplies:

Bucket

Pair of rubber gloves

Scraping tool to scrape any caked on bird seed or bird droppings

Long handled brush to scrub the inside of the feeder

Disinfecting solution (you may wish to use a vinegar solution or a bleach solution of 9 parts water to 1 part bleach)

A thorough cleaning of your birdfeeder should be done regularly. How often will depend on the climate you live in, the type of feeder you are using and how much bird traffic you receive. You should be able to get a sense of when your birdfeeder is due for a cleaning just by looking at it. At a minimum, once a year your birdfeeder should get a good, detailed cleaning. You might want to consider doing the yearly cleaning in late summer/early fall when bird traffic to feeders starts to increase. Optimally, consider cleaning your birdfeeders once a season.

I hope these tips help you with keeping your squirrel proof feeders clean and safe for our birds.