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keep water moving… even in a hanging bird bath
An essential element for life, like the air we breathe, water is a simple, inexpensive way to entice more birds to your yard. Many species who don’t visit feeders or use nest boxes will frequent a bird bath. The only responsibility with a pedestal, ground, or hanging bird bath is keeping the water fresh, not only for birds, but for other health reasons too.Recently the New York Times reported that in the Long Island area, the health department has actually been checking residents’ birdbaths and imposing fines for dirty bath water… no kidding! Four people have received hefty fines too-as the city is taking the situation quite seriously. The reason is stagnant water and the fear is the dreaded West Nile Virus spread by mosquitoes.
It doesn’t matter what kind of birdbath you have, or may be planning to purchase in the future. There’s a simple solution to avoid stagnant or standing water, and that is to keep it moving! Known fact: Mosquitoes can not lay eggs in moving water. Bath accessories like Water Wigglers, fountains, bird bath drippers, and leaf misters all keep water moving… and the birds absolutely love them! These create visual magnets for avian friends, and they run on batteries, solar power, or from the garden hose. Plus they’re simple to install and keep bath water cleaner longer.
Take a plastic, gallon milk jug and create your own dripper that works great, even in a hanging bird bath. Simple to do and very inexpensive, pierce a pin hole in the bottom corner of the jug. Secure the jug (through the handle) to a sturdy branch above the bath using rope, wire, or even a large S-hook. One gallon of water dripping through a tiny pin hole will last for days! Simply refill the jug for continued use. The movement will catch birds’ attention, and keep mosquitoes from laying their eggs. It’s a win-win situation for all!
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Keep Mosquitoes Away: Attract More Birds with moving Water Features
- Bath Heaters & Deicers, Bird Accessories, Bird Bath, Bird Baths, Birding Accessories, Heated Bird Bath, Misters and Birdbath Drippers, Uncategorized, Water Wiggler
From heated bird baths to moving water in a snap!
It really doesn’t take a bird bath to make a bird bath! Does that make sense? Years ago, this cool rock-like, poly-resin planter caught my eye. Because of the shallow depth, the perfect birdbath set on a tree stump came to mind.During winter months, this portable bath heater is added quickly and easily, creating one of several heated bird baths in the yard, and the birds use them all!
Today, with the warm sunny weather, and extended forecast for warmer than average temps, the heaters were removed (just as easily) cleaned up, and put in storage for next winter. Out came the water wigglers and bath drippers, which will be in constant use for about, oh, the next eight months or so. Yeah!!
If the birds liked the heated bird baths… they go absolutely bonkers for these fab bird bath accessories! Because moving water is where it’s at as far as birds are concerned. Both resident and migratory birds are attracted to moving water. I like it because bird baths stay cleaner longer, and knowing that mosquitoes can not lay their eggs in my baths is a good thing. Due of the mild winter, it’s going to be a buggy-enough season as it is, and having birds (and bats) around will greatly reduce insect populations the natural way.
If you’re hesitant about having a bird bath with standing water in your yard, you can easily remedy the situation by adding water wigglers, bath drippers or misters to keep water moving and fresher. And, it doesn’t even take a traditional type birdbath, as a deep plant saucer, or shallow dish makes the perfect bath! Two to three inches is the optimal depth. Anything deeper, should have a large rock in the center to serve as a landing spot or perch. With fresh water in the yard (especially moving water), you’ll entice more species of birds, even those who may not visit your feeders. - Bats & Butterflies, Bird Accessories, Birding Accessories, Butterfly Feeder, Misters and Birdbath Drippers, Uncategorized
butterfly feeders, puddlers, and misters are fantastic last minute gifts!
Omg, the last minute rush to find a perfect gift: imagine one that actually gets used and enjoyed, by the recipient and wildlife too?… it’s not too late! FedEx is including Saturday as a weekday delivery this year! We’re getting orders out the next day and most items are in stock. That’s a full weeks’ transit time if ordered tomorrow! Hurry, there’s still time to find fantastic butterfly feeders and more with no expedited shipping charges.This butterfly feeder includes a package of nectar, wicks for real feeding, and small spikes to offer fruit… that’s why it works 🙂 It features both pole-mount and hanging options too.
The Butterfly Puddlers have been extremely popular this year, we’ve sold out twice and have more on the way! Hand crafted in weatherproof stoneware
and recycled glass, they may be used as butterfly feeders offering over-ripe fruit, or as baths- using sand and salts. A lovely garden accent to boot, this item will bring many seasons of use.Another popular type of butterfly feeder is the staked, large glass flower. They may be used as a bath or feeder, but the trick to getting butterflies to drink nectar from this type of open feeder is to add a piece sponge to the flower
(preferably a new one). Soaking up the nectar, the sponge acts as a wick that imitates nature and the way butterflies actually draw nectar from flowers. Still available, but in yellow only.And lastly, if you really want to see some butterfly action this summer, leaf misters work like a charm! The activity in a garden around a leaf mister in summer is truly amazing. Stake one of these in the ground around some lantana, milkweed, or abelia, and enjoy the show. Hummingbirds and songbirds love them too.
Simple to install, there are several options for use. We like the ground stake option, as the mister placement may be easily changed every few days. This avoids saturation in any given spot. Other birds will leaf bathe, hummingbirds dart in and out of the mist, while butterflies “flut” around… it’s very cool! The misters create a “spa-like” atmosphere that you could sit and watch for hours.So there it is, great last minute gifts to entice these winged wonders… all in stock for immediate shipping!
And if I don’t make it back to the blog before then… Wishing you & yours a most wonderful holiday~
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