Households are being urged to place a simple object in their birdbaths right now to help attract more birds to their gardens this summer. Watching birds frolicking in a gleaming bird bath is genuinely one of gardening's purest pleasures. Yet if you have noticed that the splashing and bathing have tailed off around your bird bath lately, the culprit could be right under your nose.
Why Cleanliness Matters
Cleaning a bird bath rarely reaches the summit of most gardening task lists, especially during the hectic growing season when countless other jobs demand attention. But a grubby birdbath can rapidly lose its appeal for both gardeners and wildlife alike, often turning murky, smelly, or even slimy in warmer conditions. It emerges that one straightforward item dropped into your bird bath can help slow down the accumulation of algae and dirt, maintaining cleaner water for feathered visitors.
The Copper Penny Solution
The specialists at Gardening Know How revealed that using copper pennies is "one of the cheapest and easiest ways to keep your bird bath clean so you can attract more birds to your garden." They explained: "To put the science simply, the presence of a copper penny disrupts conditions that would make algae more likely to develop and thrive. The copper ions in pennies leach into the water and create a chemical barrier that prevents algae from building up. Algae relies on photosynthesis to thrive, and copper renders algal membranes weaker – to the point where they collapse and fail."
If you are wondering how to clean a cement bird bath or metal-based version, this simple penny trick could make "a big difference to a wider cleaning routine." You do not need to add numerous pennies to the bird bath to see results. Just one or two can improve the water's capacity to prevent algae build-up.
Expert Endorsement
Bird enthusiast and owner of The Rocky Safari, Rocky Trifari, supports this approach. He said: "Copper is a natural biocide with properties that interfere with the biological processes algae and other microorganisms rely on. When copper ions leach into the water, they promote an environment that discourages the growth of green algae, one of the main causes of that slimy, dirty water found in birdbaths."
Before placing any pennies in your bird bath, ensure you clean them properly using natural methods and check them carefully for any indication of rust or corrosion. Birds love drinking and bathing in bird bath water, but prolonged or excessive exposure to dissolved copper could pose a health risk, especially for smaller species. Therefore, it is recommended to use only a small number of coins, and it is vital to clean the bath when using this trick. Additionally, supplying fresh water for your birds daily is crucial, too.
Even with this method, regular maintenance remains essential. Especially during warmer months, stagnant water can quickly become uninviting to wildlife and may encourage the development of algae or bacteria.
