If birds make a nest in your chimney or attic, it can cause a problem requiring bird control in Oakville to resolve. However, in most cases, birds and humans get along very well. Humans sometimes try to help by putting out feeders and bird baths to provide the birds with the food and water they need to survive.

Unfortunately, under certain circumstances, bird baths can be a threat to their visitors rather than a benefit. Nevertheless, with proper maintenance and use, the birds in your yard can enjoy the water safely.

Poison

Birds are sensitive to cleaning agents and other chemicals that can leach into the water. These might include the paint job on the bath itself or herbicides, insecticides, or pesticides used in the yard. If you paint a bird bath to make it more attractive, you should use a sealant that is waterproof and wildlife-friendly over the basin. Better yet, leave the interior of the basin unpainted to protect the birds.

If chemicals have been sprayed near the bird bath, e.g., in a neighbour’s yard, clean it thoroughly, rinsing and drying it well, as soon as possible afterward. Avoid using chemicals such as these around them if possible.

Disease

In addition to chemicals, the water in a bird bath can also be contaminated by mould, feces, and debris that is allowed to rot after falling into the water. The contaminated water can become a breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria, and any bird that drinks or bathes in it could be exposed. You should avoid allowing feces to accumulate in the area around the bird bath by cleaning it often, including any nearby perches or ledges where the birds wait their turn. As for the bird bath itself, use a weak bleach solution to clean it on a regular basis. Before refilling it, make sure it is thoroughly dry.

Predators

When birds are drinking or bathing at a bird bath, they tend to be less alert to the threat of predators than usual. That is unfortunate because predators may lie in wait next to the bird bath and pounce on the unsuspecting birds at the first opportunity. Such hunters may include wild animals, such as snakes, as well as domestic and feral housecats. You can discourage predators around your bird bath by choosing one that is taller or putting it higher up. Put the bath out in the open, away from anything that could provide cover to stalking predators, such as shrubbery. You can also provide a nearby shelter that birds feeling threatened can retreat to.

Too Much or Too Little Water

Birds can get dehydration and heatstroke if they don’t drink enough water, just as humans can. Bird baths can provide life-giving hydration during the hottest months of the year when natural water sources may dry up. You can provide several water sources for birds to choose from by placing multiple bird baths around the yard, or you can keep the water refilled throughout the day by adding a chunk of ice to it in the morning.

On the other hand, too much water could cause the birds to submerge and drown. Allow the birds to drink while discouraging them from getting in the water by adding sticks across the top, or add gravel or marbles to the basin to make their footing more secure. Look for a bird bath with a shallow basin of no more than two inches.

If you have trouble with birds on your property, call Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Our strategies are reliable and safe for the birds, including babies that are too young to leave the nest. We will clean and clear any contaminated material and prevent the birds from coming back.