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Tips To Know Before Creating A DIY Bird Bath
By BARBARA PAVONE
A bird bath in your garden is a delight for both you and your birds, but it also involves effort on your part to make sure it’s safe and provides what birds need to fully enjoy it.
First, find a shady location for your bird bath so the water doesn't get too hot or evaporate too quickly. Birds are also more likely to use a bath that’s surrounded by foliage.
For the basin, choose a non-porous, textured material that’s easy for birds to land on, like weathered glass, ceramic, or terra cotta. Avoid metal as it gets hot in the summer.
Your bath should be large enough to fit multiple birds but no more than 2 inches deep. Fill it with 1 to 1 ½ inches of water to ensure little birds can also enjoy it safely.
Put a few stones in the bath to give birds above-water places to perch. To make it safer, raise the bath 2 to 4 feet off the ground using a tree stump or inverted flower pot.
Empty out your bird bath and refill it with fresh water at least every other day, because leaving water standing for too long causes bacteria, algae, and mosquitoes to proliferate.
Scrub the basin regularly with vinegar or baking soda and water to disinfect it without harming your birds. Avoid commercial chemical cleaners, as they can make your birds sick.