Spring has sprung; the birds are chirping and busy building nests. This year make an effort to help birds out by creating and maintaining a healthy and safe environment for them. Start with reducing or eliminating pesticides and herbicide use by using fewer chemicals in and around your home. You will help keep birds, pets and your family healthier.
Select and maintain pest-resistant plants adapted to your area; native plants generally have fewer pest problems. Native flora provides birds with food in the form of fruit and seeds, and creates a home for bugs and spiders.
Keep invasive plants out of your yard. If you have any, remove them and don’t bring any new invasives onto your property. Invasives do not provide good food or habitat and they threaten healthy ecosystems.
Use organic gardening techniques; healthy soil building techniques, companion planting, herbal pest sprays, and crop rotation. Learn to recognize and care for natural pest controls, such as ladybird beetles, beneficial wasps, birds, toads, parasitic and predatory flies, and many others.
Intervene if you must. Try hand removal or spraying pest insects with water. If this fails, try biological controls, traps, or a dust such as diatomaceous earth - a silica substance that kills soft-bodied insects such as aphids. Control weeds through appropriate fertilization and liming, adjusting mowing height, and mulching.
If you must use pesticides at all, use them with proper handling and safe disposal methods. Start with the least toxic type, such as an insecticidal soap. Steer clear of broad spectrum insecticides, such as SEVIN or DIAZINON. Contact with these chemicals will kill virtually any invertebrate. When done with any pesticides, dispose of them properly through a municipal or county toxics disposal program.
Most commercial fertilizers boost plant growth rapidly. Too commonly, these high potency fertilizers are used in excess, and end up as phosphorus and nitrate pollution of ground water and small streams. Poisoning of aquatic life and severe oxygen deficiencies may result from these chemicals reaching our water sources.
You can reduce fertilizer potency and application rates and still improve plant health. "Natural" fertilizers, such as composts and pasteurized manures, are preferable, as they release a much greater variety of nutrients more slowly. If commercial fertilizers are used, choose a slow releasing fertilizer.
Providing a good source of clean water will attract more birds than food does. Even birds that don’t normally visit your feeders can be tempted by a water source. Moving water is most effective, since the motion and splashes or dripping will attract the eyes and ears of birds in the area, even migrating ones. Birdbaths are also essential to provide water for drinking and bathing. And don’t forget various types of birdhouses which will bring more birds to your yard.
To keep the birds in your backyards healthy it's important to keep feeders, birdhouses and birdbaths clean. Birdhouses should be cleaned at the end of each season or before the new season arrival of birds. For feeders, a monthly cleaning with a nine-to-one water-bleach solution will deter bacteria in plastic, ceramic and metal feeders. A diluted vinegar solution (three-to-one) or non-fragranced biodegradable soap should be used on wood to minimize fading. The water in birdbaths should be changed three times a week when mosquitoes are breeding.
When refilling the bird bath, dump out stagnant water instead of just adding more. Rinse the bath briefly every time it is refilled to remove sticky debris and feces. Position the bath away from feeders so spilled seed will not land in the water. Choose a shady spot for the bath to minimize algae growth and slow evaporation and position the bath where it will not be clogged by grass clippings, falling leaves and other debris.
To thoroughly clean a bird bath dump out any old, stagnant water. Use a disposable rag or the scrub brush to remove any large deposits of spilled seed, feces, debris or other contaminants. Use a solution of one part chlorine bleach to nine parts water to scrub the bath thoroughly. Scrub the basin, lip, and any area of the bath where birds land, perch, drink or bathe. For extremely dirty bird baths, it may be necessary to allow the bleach solution to soak for several minutes. Rinse the birdbath thoroughly with running water until there is no persistent foaming. Allow the bath to dry completely before filling with clean water.
To attract hummingbirds with sugar water; combine 4 parts hot water to 1 part white sugar, boil for 1-2 minutes, let cool before putting outside. Never use honey, artificial sweeteners or food coloring in a hummingbird feeder, it’s unhealthy for them. Clean hummingbird feeders with a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water once a week.
Do not feed bread to birds, it is heavily processed and contains chemicals and preservatives that are not suitable for wild birds. Bread contains very little protein and bread molds ingested by birds can cause a whole range of illnesses to them. Also, too large a piece of bread may cause blockages in their digestive tracts and bread is more likely to attract nuisance bird species, particularly European Starlings.
