Ask the County Agent: Do I need to clean my Birdfeeder?

By STEPHANIE BUTCHER, UGA Extension Coweta County Coordinator

QUESTION: Do I Really Need to Clean My Birdfeeder? 

AGENT: Yes, you should clean your birdfeeders, and this is a great time to clean them and make sure they are full. It is very simple and easy to do and can help prevent diseases that can spread when birds visit neglected feeders. 

Several common diseases that are seen in backyard birds include: salmonellosis, conjunctivitis, aspergillosis. 

• Salmonellosis is a bacterial disease than is transmitted orally and through accumulated fecal matter beneath feeders. Birds infected with the salmonella bacteria are often lethargic and easily approached. 
• Birds with conjunctivitis have crusty-looking eyes, may lose their sight and may remain perched on feeders even when approached. 
• Aspergillosis is a fungal infection that can cause respiratory distress in birds and can result from a buildup of wet and moldy seed hulls beneath feeders.

These diseases and others can be prevented with routine cleaning in and around birdfeeders and birdbaths. 

• Clean feeders weekly using a 10-percent bleach solution – one part bleach to nine parts water – and rinse them thoroughly. After washing, let the feeders dry completely. (Always wear protective gloves while cleaning feeders, feeding areas and bird baths, and wash carefully afterward.)
• Rake up bird seed, hulls and fecal matter beneath feeders two or more times a week. Wear a mask to avoid inhaling fungal spores stirred up by raking.
• If you have multiple feeders, space them out to help limit gatherings of birds.
• Move feeders regularly. A move as few as 20 feet away lowers the risk of disease transmission.
• Empty and clean bird baths every two days when bird visitation is heavy. (This also discourages breeding mosquitos from using the bath water!)

Here are a few other things to keep in mind. 

• Plastic and glass feeders are more sanitary and are easier to clean than wood feeders since the wood can absorb moisture. 
• Report multiple bird deaths to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Resources Division. One dead bird is not a cause for concern, but four or more in a short amount of time is worth reporting.
• Concerning avian flu, which was confirmed in Georgia this year, research shows that the disease is not likely to be widespread in backyard songbirds but remains a concern for backyard and commercial poultry producers. 

For more information about backyard wildlife, contact the Coweta County Extension office or visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division at georgiawildlife.com. 

The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences is an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization. Special thanks to Georgia DNR for contributions to this article.