- Vinegar provides a natural, cheap and non-availability method to clean a bird feeder.
- Regular cleaning is important to prevent mold, bacteria, parasites and disease spread.
- The acid in vinegar breaks the dirt and acts as a natural disinfectant.
It is important to clean bird feeder To prevent mold, bacteria and parasites regularly that can spread the disease among the bird’s population.
Monica Sangar, founder of Prego Delian Sanctuary Sanctuary, said, “Regular cleaning also keeps the seeds fresh and attractive, encourages healthy forging behavior and ensuring safety of wild bird visitors.”
The good news is that there is a simple and inexpensive pantry staple that you can use to clean a deep bird feeder: distilled white vinegar. Sangar says that when properly used, vinegar is a bird-safe option for rigid chemical cleaning solutions. Further, you will find step-by-step instructions for cleaning a bird feeder such as a Pro as well as tips for maintaining a clean bird feeder.
Meet experts
Monica Sangar Prego Dalliance is the founder of Sanctuary, a non -profit parrot rescue and asylum.
How to clean a bird feeder with vinegar
“Vinegar is a natural, non-averse disinfectant that effectively kills many bacteria and fungi without leaving the harmful residues,” says Sangar.
Follow the step-by-step instructions below to clean a bird feeder with vinegar.
- Empty the bird feeder. Move down bird feeder From where it is currently hanging and empties it. Remove any food, dirt, drops or debris.
- Observe the bird feeder. Once emptying, take time to inspect the bird feeder to ensure this. Look for cracks that can cause leaks, molds and other issues, and leave the bird feeder if you notice significant damage.
- Dissatisfied. Separate the bird feeder, separate it into more and more parts to ensure the thorough clean of both inner and exterior.
- Scrub with a brush to remove solid debris. Hold a cleaning brush and scrub every part of the bird feeder with hot, soap water. Make sure you scrub every small nook and cranny, as old food and grim can get stuck in small cracks of a bird feeder.
- Soak the bird feeder in an vinegar solution. In a large container, mix equal parts white vinegar and water together and stir to combine. Soak the disabled bird feeder parts in the vinegar solution for an hour, to loose any solid dirt to rotate them from time to time.
- Rinse with water completely. Once bird feeder The vinegar is soaked in the solution, rinse it well under hot flowing water to remove the smell of any residue and vinegar.
- Completely dried. Place the bird feeder parts on a clean dish towel or dish rack and allow them to dry enough time before collecting.
Use distilled white vinegar
Not all vinegar are the same, and when use a pantry staple as a cleaning agent, be sure to use white vinegarDo not use red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
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Tips to maintain a clean bird feeder
Sangar shared the following tips to help maintain a clean bird feeder throughout the year.
- Clean regularly. Regular cleaning is necessary for bird population to maintain sanitary environment. Sangar’s advice is to clean the bird feeders at least once every two weeks. If you notice heavy bird traffic or have a wet weather in your area, clean the feeders more often, preferably on a weekly basis.
- Disinfect all areas. In addition to cleaning the bird feeder, Sangar says that you should also clean the area under the feeder. It is important to prevent pests and disease formation from attracting. Remove the old seeds and drops from the bottom Bird feeder Every time you clean the feeders.
- Use the right tool. Keep in mind when cleaning bird feeders and use appropriate equipment. Pro suggested the use of a brush to scrub all parts of the bird feeder, including feeding the ports and leaflets. She also emphasizes the importance of taking out the bird feeder out after scrubbing, especially if you are using vinegar or light dish soap.
- let it dry. Allow the bird feeder to dry completely after cleaning, as moisture can make a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
- Store well. Be sure to store bird seeds properly. The best way to store it is in a seal container that avoids contamination and keeps food dry.
- There are many feeders. Try to be more than one bird feeder on rotation. Alternatively adequate cleaning and drying time between many feeders allows for the birds to force a single bird feeder to clean the feeder and give it a chance to dry it completely.