Living Garden

Nesting boxes
• Why a nesting box?
• Guests in the nest
• Placing out the nest
• Cleaning the nest

Bird tables
• Why feed birds?
• How do birds eat?
• What do birds eat?
• Species at the bird table
• Placement
• Cleaning
• Endangered bird species
• Put out water!

Butterflies
• Daytime butterflies

Hygiene is important in contact with your bird table!

As your bird table is a meeting place for several different birds the risk of contagious diseases spreading is very great. It is not unusual that birds carry diseases that are harmful both to humans, their pets or poultry farms. Examples are bacteria such as campylobacter, e-coli and salmonella. It is the greenfinch and house sparrow in particular who with their droppings spread these bacteria.

Clean your bird table frequently
Tables should therefore be correctly designed so the birds don’t sit in the food, and it is very important that they are cleaned regularly. A couple of times each month you should wash off droppings and dried-up food remnants.

Lukewarm water mixed out with a mild dishwashing liquid works fine, but to be on the safe side you can add 10% disinfecting agent. Afterwards, rinse thoroughly with water. Also take caution and wash your hands afterwards or use protective gloves while cleaning.

Read more about the Multiholk from Wildlife Garden »