Why hygiene is key to good health

Why hygiene is key to good health

Gardens are a hotspot of activity throughout the year as our feathered friends live, forage and feed in our outdoor spaces. To avoid the spread of disease among wild bird communities, hygiene is essential.

Here are some handy pointers for a healthy wash and brush-up:

1 – Always clean feeders and bird tables outside. All Food4WildBird feeders can be taken apart so that each component can be thoroughly cleaned.

2 - Put on some gloves and remove any leftover food. Discard into a bin and do not reuse. You can feed less more frequently to reduce the amount of food becoming spoiled by the weather.

3  -All cleaning equipment should not be stored in the house and kept solely for this purpose. It should not be used for any other cleaning chores.

4 – Get a bucket of hot, soapy water and, using a brush, scrub away any caked-on food and debris.

3 – Rinse with cold water, then spray with a bird-friendly disinfectant. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the bottle for correct usage.

4 – Rinse again, then leave the table and feeders to dry overnight. In the morning, refill with fresh food.

Our hygiene spray and cleaning brush make light work of keeping feeding equipment and accessories in tip-top condition while maintaining a healthy environment for our wild birds.   

Shop Hygiene Spray

Shop Cleaning Brush

Choose a bird feeder that’s easy to clean

All feeders available in the Food4WildBirds shop are made from easy to disinfect materials such as plastic and metal, and  are simple to take apart for washing.

Important factors in suitable feeders are good drainage for rainwater, correctly positioned perches and there should be no cracks and crevices where food can get stuck. Feeder perches that sit one above the other can result in droppings falling on to the ones below, so should be avoided.

Sweep the floor

Food can gather under feeders and become a breeding ground for bacteria. Avoid this by sweeping the area on a daily basis and discarding any waste collected into the bin.

Fresh water daily

Make sure that fresh water is provided with drinking bottles and bird baths cleaned on a daily basis.