Salt in bird bath (2024)

FAQs

Do pennies prevent algae in bird bath? ›

To keep algae growth from your bird bath drop some pre-1982 copper pennies in. I have what I would call a normal size bird bath & I use 7 pennies. The reason for the pennies being pre-1982 is that before that year, the pennies contained copper, a natural algicide.

For the safety of birds and other animals, salt should never be added to birdbaths.

Once or twice a month a special bath of one tablespoon of Epsom Salt diluted in one gallon of water should be provided to all types of birds, especially the feeding parents. The Epsom Salt bath can help to neutralize any sourness in the digestive system. Remember birds only have their beaks to do most of their chores.

Black objects retain heat well, by adding a black liner to the base of your bird bath or adding a few black rocks you can help prevent the water from freezing as quickly. Always make sure to clean the liner and any objects in your bird bath frequently to avoid bacteria building up.

Yes, dilute apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a great choice for combatting algae in your bird bath the natural way. The higher pH value of the ACV makes it too acidic for algae to grow.

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.

All subsequent research has shown that Epsom salt has no pest control properties.

One of the best ways to use baking soda in the garden is to clean your bird bath. “Shake baking soda into the basin. It removes mold easily and is safe for birds,” says Birds & Blooms reader Stephen Holland. “Cleaning the bird bath isn't my favorite task, but it's more fun when you use baking soda and white vinegar.

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.

Make a float

Place a ping-pong ball, tennis ball or cork into your bird bath. The movement of it in the wind will keep the water moving, making it less likely to freeze.

Can you put tap water in a bird bath? ›

What type of water is safe for birds? 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.

Installing a Birdbath Dripper

Now that you have your birdbath, it's time to add some moving water. A birdbath dripper is basically a curved metal or plastic tube that you can set in your birdbath. You can run the tubing from your backyard spigot to the dripper on your birdbath.

The copper will keep it for a week to 2 weeks & then you'll have to clean it. Beats cleaning it every 2 or 3 days. Also, instead of copper, you can use apple cider vinegar, just 1/2 cap per bath but you have to add it every time you fill the birdbath up or top it off.

Oxygenators can help prevent fountains going green and prevent algae build up. Oxygenators, as in the name, add oxygen to your water which will balance out any excess of nitrogen which causes the algae. As well as causing more movement of the water which also helps to prevent algae growth.

If you have an algae problem, your best friend is white vinegar. White vinegar can quickly kill algae but is not harmful to birds, insects and the majority of plants.