how to control algae in bird baths

I saw a post on gardenweb not too long ago,… but can not find it any more using the search option. I was wondering what is the best sure fire way to keep a bird bath from becoming so grungy and scummy during the growing season? I just cleaned mine the other day, and frankly it was beyond nasty. The algae was so think in it. I try to empty it every 3 days and add fresh water,…(to keep the water clean & avoid mosquitos) and but the algae is relentless. It just keeps getting worse. Is there a natural way to curtail the growth? And what are some of the safer means to clean the bird bath, when I cant stand it anymore? I tried a scrub brush, and a scraper this time, but I was wondering if there are some natural products out there I can use to make the job easier and more complete? Baking soda maybe?

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I saw a post on gardenweb not too long ago,. but using the search function no longer yields results for it. After cleaning mine the other day, I was left wondering what the best guaranteed method is to prevent a bird bath from getting so grimy and scummy during the growing season. The algae was so think in it. Every three days, I try to empty it and add fresh water. (To maintain clean water) It just keeps getting worse. I’ve tried a scrub brush and a scraper this time, but is there any safer way to clean the bird bath when I can’t take it any longer? I was wondering if there are any natural products out there that I can use to make the job easier and more thorough. Baking soda, perhaps?

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1. Place Bird Bath In Shade

Sun feeds the growth of algae. Algae rely on photosynthesis to survive, so reducing its food supply will result in less growth.

Additionally, keeping your bird bath in the shade will reduce water evaporation and keep the water cooler.

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar With The Mother?

Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apples. The yeast turns the sugars into alcohol. The alcohol is treated with bacteria to produce acetic acid, which is the primary ingredient in vinegar.

“With the mother” brand apple cider vinegar is an organic, unfiltered variety. It has the bacteria, proteins, and enzymes that give vinegar its hazy hue.

Both versions will work for keeping your bird bath free from algae. The type with the mother is often consumed by people for its health benefits but there aren’t any studies on the effectiveness in birds’ health.

FAQ

What can I put in my bird bath to prevent algae?

An apple cider vinegar that says “with the mother” is an organic, unfiltered version. It contains the proteins, enzymes, and bacteria that give the vinegar its murky color. Both versions will work for keeping your bird bath free from algae.

Do pennies prevent algae in bird bath?

To keep algae growth from your bird bath drop some pre-1982 copper pennies in. I have what I would call a normal size bird bath & I use 7 pennies. The reason for the pennies being pre-1982 is that before that year, the pennies contained copper, a natural algicide.

What is the best algaecide for a bird bath?

We recommend using a scrub brush and a dash of vinegar in a water solution. Vinegar will remove algae, a common problem with bird baths. Because there can be harmful bacteria in the water – always use gloves and wash your hands after cleaning.

What can you put in bird baths to keep them clean?

To keep your birdbath fresh, just rinse and scrub it with nine parts water, one part vinegar. Skip the synthetic soaps and cleansers; they can strip the essential oils off of bird feathers. And make sure to refill the water every other day to keep it from bugging up.