Prepare for Winter Bird Feeding

Fall is a great time to prepare for the winter bird feeding season. A bit of house cleaning will help attract more birds and keep your winged visitors healthy.

Clean feeders regularly throughout the season. This helps reduce the risk of disease caused by bacteria and other disease-causing organisms that can develop in dirty birdfeeders.

Wear rubber gloves to protect yourself and use a stiff bottlebrush or old toothbrush to clean those hard to reach places. Use a one-part bleach and nine-part water solution, commercial birdfeeder cleaner or a mild solution of unscented dishwashing soap.

Wash the inside and outside of the feeder, perches and feeding ports. Once cleaned, rinse and dry before refilling

And don’t forget to clean the area around the feeder. Remove any damp and rotten seed and fruit birds may have dropped. Then finish it off by adding a fresh layer of mulch to cover the droppings.

A bit more information: Monitor your landscape for bird-friendly plants. Look for trees, shrubs and perennials that provide food and evergreens that provide shelter. Plan to add a few more along with feeders for future seasons.