It goes without saying that using bleach on a bird bath should be done with caution but if you have stubborn algae it will remove it. The bleach should be well diluted, 200ml of bleach to 5 liters of water. It will need to be left for approximately 15 minutes, so cover the bird bath well.
A weak bleach solution will kill the bacteria and algae living in your birdbath. Mix one part bleach with nine parts warm water and stir to create an effective cleaning agent that's safe to use on birdbaths.
Add water to the bird bath until it's almost full. Then add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of bleach. Cover the entire bath with a black trash bag to prevent any birds from getting to the bleach water. Allow it to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
But don't use it straight; the fumes can seriously damage a bird's respiratory system. Instead, dilute it, using one ounce of bleach to each quart of water. This is a 5 percent solution and is quite effective in killing bacteria and viruses.
You might also want to wear rubber gloves. If you don't, be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water once you're finished. Instead of using soap or bleach to clean the bird bath, the National Audubon Society recommends scrubbing it with nine parts water to one part vinegar.
Diluted vinegar is normally sufficient for removing algae, dirt, and other gunk from even an old bird bath. If you feel like you need a little extra cleaning power to tackle a tough stain, try using baking soda.
To keep your birdbath fresh, just rinse and scrub it with nine parts water, one part vinegar. Skip the synthetic soaps and cleansers; they can strip the essential oils off of bird feathers. And make sure to refill the water every other day to keep it from bugging up.
Add Bleach
If desired, use a stick or twig to mix the bleach with the water. The amount of bleach you add can vary, but do not add more than 1 1/2 cups to a basic bird bath. A shallow bath will need less bleach, while more bleach may be necessary for a deeper or excessively dirty bird bath.
Using vinegar to clean your bird bath is a natural non-toxic method that doesn't use harsh detergents that could strip the birds' feathers or make them sick.
Will Bleach Keep Birds Away? Bleach won't keep birds away, so don't waste your time with it. Using a solution of bleach and water is a great way to wash away bird poop and mess from areas of your home, but there are other more effective ways to repel birds.
Bleach, for example, gives off chlorine gas which is very harsh on a bird's lungs and any product with an aerosol delivery system should be avoided entirely. Fortunately, there are healthier and safer alternatives for both you and your bird that can be used that are also very effective at cleaning.
You can use another harmless ingredient to remove stubborn stains from your bird bath. Common baking soda can lift the darkest and ugliest stains, and it won't hurt the birds.
If you happen to have a deeper bird bath, you can make it more appealing by adding in a few rocks in the middle or along the edges. This will give birds a place to land so they can splash and preen themselves in the water.
Chlorine bleach, phenols and ammonia can all have dangerous vapors that can cause irritation, toxicosis and even death in pet birds. Common household aerosol products, such as perfume, deodorant and hairspray, can cause respiratory problems in birds as well.
Spray droppings or contaminated materials until it is moist with a bleach solution* (1 part bleach, 9 parts water). Allow this disinfecting solution to soak in for 5 minutes.
Scrub your birdbath immediately if algae start to grow. Use very hot water and a good scouring brush. Water in birdbaths should be changed at least every three days, and in warm weather even more often. Algal growth is one issue, but even more urgent and potentially dangerous is the possibility of mosquitoes breeding.
Rowden recommends using a solution of nine parts water to one part vinegar for cleaning a bird bath. Avoid the use of harsh chemical or abrasive cleaners, which can damage the bird bath and the surround area and be unsafe for birds and other wildlife who might stop by for a dip or a drink.
It is highly recommended to be used for parrots in moderation. “Apple cider vinegar contains calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamins C, E, B1, B2 and B6. ACV can treat fatty liver disease, renal failure, joint pain, yeast infections and mite infestations.” (Stephens, 2021).
It needs to have shallow sloping sides with a shallow approach to water. To allow different species to bathe, provide a sloping bath, so the water is between 2.5cm and 10cm (1-4 inches) deep. Make sure the surface of the bath is rough so birds can grip it with their claws, and not slip.
We are often asked whether tap water is safe for birds. The short answer is yes - generally speaking, if your tap water can be consumed by humans, it can be used in a bird bath. However, if you're still not sure, bottled spring water or filtered tap water will work too.
Several commercially available disinfectants are safe for birds. One cup of household chlorine bleach in one gallon of water is effective against many disease-causing organisms. To be most effective, disinfectants should be applied to a wet surface.
Zoetis Virkon S is a Veterinary Virucidal Disinfectant for cleaning / sanitizing bird cages as well as cages of diseases birds and animals. It helps disinfect biomedical remains as well. Can be used on all kinds of surface, equipment which came in contact with diseases birds, poultry or animals.
Ceramic is one of the most common materials for pedestal bird baths. Our favorite ceramic bird bath is the two-tone pedestal design from Sunnydaze. Ceramic holds up well to most weather conditions but usually needs to be protected from freezing weather. It's easy to wipe clean, which is a big plus.
Keep your bird bath clean.
If you see the water is discolored or there is algae, scrub your bird bath with baking soda, lemon juice or white vinegar and then rinse well. Never add chemicals to the water! Add motion to the water in your bird bath, if you are still worried about mosquitoes.