This is just a warning for everyone who puts out bird feeders during the spring, summer and fall: don’t kill the birds.
By not cleaning out the feeders once a month, you could allow salmonella to breed in the seed and poison all of the birds (especially Nyjer seeds, which have a high oil content). If that doesn’t phase you, then if your dog or cat gnaws at the diseased bird… they could get it too. And in turn, they could give it to you. So if you see a dead bird in your yard; get off your lazy ass, put on rubber gloves, and dispose of it! Because if I see it, I’ll throw it through your damn window!
Clean out the birdbaths and put in fresh water, everyday… the hot water is just a nesting ground for bacteria. And then, the poor birds who don’t know the difference between an ant and their own shit will drink and bathe in the contaminated water! Help them out a little, OK?
To clean out the feeders, just use 1-part bleach in 9 parts of water… works like a dandy.
Do everyone a favor; don’t kill the birds. I don’t like to take a walk in the morning only to see dead birds lined up down the damn sidewalk.
~Shadow