we have a pedestal bird bath made of concrete. because we fill it up with the hose, using city water, it gets really disgusting pretty fast. there's a lovely layer of brown algae on the bottom! scrubbing doesn't get it out, either. i can't use bleach because that would permeate the concrete and pollute the water. any ideas?
2007-05-13 09:55:09 · 8 answers · asked by jop_lester 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I also have a concrete birdbath that gets rather nasty. I use a heavy brush to scrub it once a week. Once a month I do the unthinkable. I pour bleach and HOT water into it and let it sit for a few minutes (stay with it so the birds don't get into it). After 4-5 minutes, scrub and drain it. All you have to do is let it dry thoroughly before you refill it. It will not hurt the birds. I've been doing it for years.
2007-05-13 10:38:03 · answer #1 · answered by mamapig_57 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have the same type bird bath as you do. However, when I first got it the very first thing I did was to paint it with a good grade of oil enamel paint. It not only keeps the algea from forming too fast but also adds to my garden decor. But no matter what you do it will get dirty and algea will form over a period of time. I change the water at least once a week if it needs it or not. Even doing that, you still have to give it a good cleaning every so often. I have used bleach with no problems. But if you cant use bleach then just use any common dishwasing liquid, ("Dawn or Joy" work well). Just squirt it on, let it sit for a while, and scrub it with a little water and an "SOS" pad. Oh. And don't worry about the environment. Dishwashing liquid does not harm the birds or your grass/plants.
2007-05-13 10:26:03 · answer #2 · answered by bigalsr 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wiIl just add to the great answers you've already received, if I may. You probably already know this but don't use soap to clean the birdbath. If you get one of those green plastic sponges, you can scrub off the brown algae between fill-ups if you object to it that much. But the algae won't hurt the birds.
For a treat, you might want to get some bottled water to use for the birds. It's spring water and doesn't have the chlorine and other chemicals in it that city tap water has and is better for the birds. I'm not taking "Evian"--just a gallon of the spring water that costs about $1 a bottle in the grocery store if your birdbath isn't too big. Just a thought.
The sunlight is making the algae form, so if you can move the birdbath to a shady location that will help. If it's too big or heavy to move, put a few potted trees around it that may also shade it and provide a resting area for the birdies. It's always fun to watch the birds and my cats call it "Kitty TV"!
Hope his helps and happy birdwatching. Thank you for helping our feathered friends.
2007-05-13 10:13:12 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Concrete Birdbath
2016-12-14 16:23:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best way to clean a birdbath IS bleach.
just rinse the birdbath, then add a mixture of 10% bleach, 90% water, scrub with a brush, hose out twice.
you will not harm the birds or the bath.
been doing this on my concrete baths for years with no problems.
you should do this once a week.
2007-05-13 19:14:49 · answer #5 · answered by deco 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once it has a good cleaning you can prevent algae forming by taking a few leaves from a daylily plant and a few lavender sprigs, tie them together and place it in the bird bath. It works for a long time - honest!
2007-05-13 18:41:14 · answer #6 · answered by noonecanne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Algae is formed from the sun light. Try moving the bird bath into a shadier spot. Keep the water level down lower if you don't like to see the brown but the birds don't mind. Their used to natural creak water and won't drink from it if it's contaminated. Algae also attracts micro bugs which birds eat.
2007-05-13 10:01:31 · answer #7 · answered by william r 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn it upside down on the pedestal.
We have two, one in the sun more and another under a tree. The one in the sun does have algae. But, I just rinse them about every 2-3 days and add fresh water (just spray with water, no scrubbing). The algae not really hurt anything that I can tell. The one under the tree not have algae but get more leaves and small sticks.
2007-05-13 10:07:13 · answer #8 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately that brown layer is not going to go away uinless the sun does. However painting it with a good moisture resistant paint like KILZ will make cleanup easier.. so will a shadier location.
2007-05-13 10:05:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋