Watching birds congregate and interact in the backyard can be relaxing and enjoyable. If you want to bring more birds into your yard, you may be thinking about adding a birdbath to your property. A well-designed and regularly maintained birdbath can be the focal point of your yard and your wildlife viewing. Here are some tips from bird removal experts, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control.

Birdbath Placement

You first have to decide where you want to place a birdbath in your yard. Opt for a birdbath that is lower to the ground than the traditional large pedestal bird bath so it mimics a natural water feature. Additionally, position the birdbath on the edge of your property instead of right by your back door so birds are tempted to roost and nest in your home.

It’s best to place the birdbath near some shade and areas where the birds can quickly get cover, such as near trees or bushes. You also want the bath to be close to a hose or water source so you can clean and operate the bird bath’s water features.

Water Depth and Birdbath Features

Next, make sure you get a birdbath that is shallow, such as two inches or less. Birds just want to splash around, drink or wade in the water instead of dunking themselves or swimming. Add some large stones to the bottom of your bath if the water gets too deep. 

Another way you can make your birdbath more attractive to the birds in your region is to add moving water. This can be through a fountain feature or a filter that keeps the water circulating. Moving water also helps prevent mosquitoes from nesting and taking over the birdbath.

Summer and Winter Maintenance

Once you have your birdbath up and running, you need to make sure you regularly maintain it throughout the summer and winter seasons. In the summer, clear out and clean the birdbath periodically. Bird feces and dirty feathers can make the water toxic and harm birds that stop for a drink.

In the winter, you may want to remove the water from your birdbath so it doesn’t ice over. You could also invest in a heated bird bath that keeps the water from freezing. Make sure the heating element is plugged into a ground-fault interrupted circuit to prevent an electric shock.

Attracting Birds

There are also some extra things you can do to enhance your birdbath so more birds come by and visit. Provide plenty of perching spots so birds can relax and check out the scenery before taking a dip in the birdbath. These are also great spots for birds to preen and fix their feathers after splashing around.

Additionally, consider putting a bird feeder in your yard close to the birdbath. Add colorful flowers, bushes, trees, and other foliage to your yard so it’s a natural ecosystem for a variety of bird species.

Bird Removal for Problem Behavior

When you have the opposite problem of too many birds in your yard, you may want to reconsider your birdbath plans. Talk to our team of technicians about wildlife control in Milwaukee and strategies to prevent birds from roosting in your attic, deck, garage, or garden. The experts at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control can help give you advice about backyard features that don’t cause a serious critter infestation.

If you want to learn more about how to keep birds from nesting in and around your home, contact the crew at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Our safe and reliable bird removal tactics can give you peace of mind.