Dirty bird feeders harbour mould, bacteria, and salmonella that sicken and kill birds. A clean feeder every 2–4 weeks (more often in hot, humid weather) is one of the most important things backyard bird feeders can do.
Tube and Hopper Feeders
- Empty all old seed — discard it, don't return it to the feeder
- Disassemble all removable parts
- Soak in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water for 10 minutes
- Scrub with a bottle brush inside the tubes and around all surfaces, paying attention to seed ports and perches where droppings accumulate
- Rinse extremely thoroughly — residual bleach harms birds
- Allow to dry completely in the sun before refilling — a wet feeder causes seed to mould within days
Platform and Tray Feeders
- Remove all old seed and debris — platform feeders collect droppings and wet seed that rots quickly
- Scrub with a brush and hot soapy water
- Rinse well and allow to dry
- These feeders need cleaning more frequently (weekly in wet weather) because they're open to rain and droppings
Suet Feeders
- Remove suet cake
- Soak in hot soapy water to dissolve fat residue
- Scrub and rinse
- Dry before adding a fresh suet cake
Tips
- Place feeders away from the house — seed hulls and droppings below feeders attract rodents and insects
- Rake and remove seed hulls and droppings from the ground beneath feeders weekly — these also cause disease
- In Toronto's hot summers, clean every 1–2 weeks — heat accelerates mould and bacterial growth in seed
- Bring feeders in and stop filling during confirmed salmonella outbreaks in local bird populations — public health agencies issue advisories when this occurs