The wild birds that visit our backyard bird feeder provide us with hours of enjoyment. And we’re not alone. It is estimated that over 57 million households in the U.S. maintain backyard bird feeders. They spend an estimated $4 billion annually on bird feed and associated items.

It is relatively easy to attract birds when using seeds they prefer. Then just sit back and enjoy their antics while keeping the feeders filled. Sounds easy enough. But there is something that needs to be done on an ongoing basis as long as the feeding continues, and that includes a bit of cleaning.

Let’s face it, when feeding stations are filled for the season, birds congregate. Leftover bits of seeds, hulls, and droppings can and will accumulate. It only makes sense to conduct a little cleaning. If not, mold and contaminated debris can cause harm to our feathered friends.

So what needs to be done to clean feeding stations? Actually, the process is simple.

First take down the feeders. In my case this is done after the last birds leave for the evening.

We maintain a Brome Squirrel Proof Feeder that we fill with black oiled sunflower seeds. In preparation for cleaning, the seed is removed and then the feeder is disassembled. Next, all the components of the device are cleaned using a (10%) diluted bleach solution.

Parts that can be submerged should be soaked for ten minutes or so.

Afterwards the parts are rinsed off with water and then dried. In the morning, before the birds arrive, the feeder is re-assembled, refilled, and replaced outside before the birds arrive.

The suet cage and Niger feeder receive the same treatment.

The deck area outside our kitchen, which is accessed by a large sliding glass door, doubles as a platform feeder. This area is swept and kept as clean as weather conditions will allow.

As feeders themselves require attention, the ground below them requires attention as well.

The combination of hulls from seeds, droppings, mold, and bacteria can cause problems for the birds that forage beneath feeders.

The under the feeder clean-up technique we use is quick and effective. Using a leaf rake, loosen the seed debris. Next, a flat shovel is used to pick up the seed hulls. I then deposit them into a garbage bag for disposal.

After the feeders are taken down and the area beneath them cleaned, the ground is coated with a thin layer of lime.

Regardless of when we begin feeding, another situation occurs. The sliding glass doors that lead from our kitchen onto the deck will occasionally present another problem.

Occasionally a “thump” on the glass will occur which is not uncommon.

Ornithologists estimate that millions of birds will die from flying into glass windows and doors.

Recently we found a bird standing motionless on the first step leading down off the deck. The bird appeared to be stunned. We watched over the bird, not letting it be disturbed. After several hours it apparently recovered and was gone.

However, that has not always been the case. So what can be done to reduce these types of bird strikes? More than most realize.

The fix for reducing bird strikes on glass is to break up the reflections that birds perceive as pathway. This can be done by attaching streamers that hang down the pane of glass (on the inside). We use jell-type window stickers and change them out depending on the holiday. My brother uses heavy monofilament fishing line suspended from the top of the window pane and then places decorative colored beads at various intervals down the line.

If the quick fixes described fails to work, netting can be placed on the outside of windows to buffer the impact.

While many maintain backyard bird feeders into spring, it should be done with caution. Last year, in mid-May, we had a black bear boldly walk onto our deck pulling the tube feeder down. The only damage to the feeder was a broken perch ring that was promptly replaced.

While providing food for the birds of winter is fun, it can also bring with it a certain amount of responsibility. After all, we want to keep them coming back.

Charlie Burchfield is an active member and past president of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, an active member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association, Outdoor Writers Assoc. of America and the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers. Gateway Outdoors e-mail is GWOutdoors@comcast.net