It is important to make sure bird baths are kept topped up with water in hot weather. Baths will be used by invertebrates and mammals as well as birds, meaning they are a good way to help wildlife in your garden. If you don’t have a bird bath, you can put out a plate of water, slightly elevated on a brick or up on a table as an alternative. Find out how to make a birdbath.
It is important to keep the bird bath clean. Daily replacement of water will also prevent mosquito larvae developing – an important step towards reducing the risk of spreading Usutu virus. If you’re not able to refresh it every day and clean it weekly, it would be better not to offer a bird bath. In summer, it might turn green or red with algae – this is to be expected but is a sign the bath needs a good clean.
To clean your birdbath, use hot soapy water and give it a good scrub with a brush. You can also use a weak disinfectant solution or spray but be sure to rinse it thoroughly. Let it dry naturally before refilling with fresh water.
This simple addition to your garden can make a huge difference to the wildlife that makes your garden its home.