Bleach is the only reliable bird feeder disinfectant.

Yes, you need to scrub it with a diluted bleach solution every two weeks during spring.

Bird diseases spread fast at feeders — salmonella, conjunctivitis, avian pox — and plain soap and water won’t kill them. The standard mix is 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Soak the feeder for a few minutes, scrub with a brush, then rinse thoroughly and let it dry completely before refilling. Don’t use vinegar or essential oils; they’re not strong enough.

The drying part matters. If you put wet feed in, you’re breeding mold. And don’t skip the two-week cadence — during spring migration, feeders become disease superhighways. If you see sick birds (fluffed feathers, lethargy, swollen eyes), clean every time you refill until they’re gone.

A clean feeder is better for birds than any fancy seed mix.