[New Englander]

I'm considering getting a bird bath for my backyard. I'm in a courtyard Villa and many birds land on the block wall in the back. Now, I don't want to give Mosquito a place to breed. I see there are tablets you can put in a bird bath that will keep the mosquitoes away. I don't want to hurt the birds, I want to help them. Does anyone here have experience with this or is a birdbath a bad idea?

[Topspinmo]

If you do get bird bath don’t let water set in there. Flush it out every couple days minimum. If it starts to turn color with algae you have use algae cleaning product or 10% or less bleach. Then throughly rinse. Birds are going to get bird bath dirty so you going to want to flush it out daily or minimum every couple days. Maybe be more work than you anticipated? Plenty of water in this area so makes no difference. I enjoy watching Bluebirds, cardinals, house finches, mocking birds splash around.

[Altavia]

Solar Fountain Pump for Water Feature can help.

https://a.co/d/8SKt5Tr

[jbartle1]

Our bird bath turned upside down, mosquitoes! Bird feeder empty, bird flu, pretty sure they will survive without us.

[Two Bills]

At the end of a day of bathing, there is not much water left anyway, just muck.
Flush it daily and there will be no problems with critters breeding in the bath.
Do not need any chemicals, just clean water and a brush to clean.

[Pondboy]

You could also get a fountain…..more expensive and a bit more maintenance, but if you’re outside a lot, the sound of running water is nice. Get one where there is a shallow area on top for them to bathe in.

Fairfield Farms and KB Landscape would be a good source for one.

[chrisinva]

I don't know about the tablets for birdbaths, but the donuts (Lowes & probably H. Depot) are great. Donuts won't hurt the birds & will kill mosquitoes. On the other hand, a regular flushing will be needed as noted above. It won't be a maintenance free bird bath. It's a great idea, however!

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by chrisinva

I don't know about the tablets for birdbaths, but the donuts (Lowes & probably H. Depot) are great. Donuts won't hurt the birds & will kill mosquitoes. On the other hand, a regular flushing will be needed as noted above. It won't be a maintenance free bird bath. It's a great idea, however!

What are donuts for a bird bath?

[Pondboy]

Originally Posted by New Englander

What are donuts for a bird bath?

It contains a bacterium that kills mosquito larvae….or something like that. It’s used mostly in small koi ponds. Never used it in a bird bath…..

[Bonanza]

You will probably need to hose out the bird bath daily because of bird poop and bird seed. You will never get mosquitos with clean water.
Do NOT use chemicals.
If you get a bird bath that is smooth or slippery, you will have to put stones or something rough in it because otherwise, the birds will lose their footing. That will make it more difficult to clean, however, but you may also attract butterflies if the water level is not deep.

[Cuervo]

Is the bird bath for the birds or is somewhat for your visual pleasure.
If it's for the birds, as a previous poster said the birds will survive without your bird bath.
If it's for your visual pleasure, see if there is such a thing as a bird shower, so this way they will sing as they're scrubbing themselves clean.

[bowlingal]

I have a bird bath. Birds love it. I need to change the water 3-4 days this time of year. In the summer , because it is in the
hot sun, algae forms more often, so it needs to be cleaned every 2 days or so. I just use a magic eraser and fill back up with nice cold water.

[La lamy]

I agree with posters who said to have one you can clean easily and often. We have a couple of them up north and they're so worth it!

[coconutmama]

We did not have good luck with ours but we do not live in a villa. We mostly attracted black birds & raccoons. Finally a raccoon managed to break it. Now we use the base for our sundial.

Also if there are any rat traps near your property (including nearby rec centers, etc) and a rodent eats the bait & needs water to drink, they will smell a nearby waterfall, pond or birdbath.

But hopefully you have better luck.
As another poster mentioned, with bird flu I personally would not try it again now

[SHIBUMI]

Made the mistake of a bird feeder and bird bath. Got mice, rats, raccoons. Ate thru my screen birds flew in what a mess. Had to put a panel in to replace bottom of screen. Just observe, don't interact, you will get more than you bargained for.

Originally Posted by New Englander

I'm considering getting a bird bath for my backyard. I'm in a courtyard Villa and many birds land on the block wall in the back. Now, I don't want to give Mosquito a place to breed. I see there are tablets you can put in a bird bath that will keep the mosquitoes away. I don't want to hurt the birds, I want to help them. Does anyone here have experience with this or is a birdbath a bad idea?