It's recommended that you wash feeders monthly. A diluted bleach solution should be used. If possible, submerge the entire feeder in the solution. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely before refilling with seed and putting back out. To keep a supply of seed available to the birds, it works best to have more than one feeder so that cleanings can be rotated and all the feeders are not down at the same time.
Many winters there are several reports of avian salmonella and conjunctivitis in the area.
There are lots of dead birds reported in backyards around feeders. Both of these diseases can be lessened or eliminated by keeping feeders clean. Moldy seed can poison birds and kill them. Throw it in the trash not on the ground where birds will find it. All rights reserved.