Why You Should Put A Few Pennies In Your Bird Bath

Bird baths are an excellent way to attract wildlife to your yard, particularly in the hot or dry months of summer, when birds and other creatures like bees are most in need of a cool drink or quick bath. In order to keep your bird bath clean and looking its best, all you have to do is look in your wallet or pockets and grab some pennies. By placing a few copper pennies in the bottom of your bird bath, you can help to keep it clean all year long.

While bird feeders can be beautiful, in certain climates they can encourage algae and bacterial growth that can bring about a whole bunch of problems, including unpleasant odors and mosquitos that multiply in stagnant water. A dirty bird bath can actually keep birds from wanting to use it, which means fewer birds in your yard, and more pests and unwanted microorganism growth due to still water.

The copper in the pennies releases ions which slow the algae growth in water. While large quantities of copper can be harmful to birds, small amounts are safe, allowing you to use a few pennies in the bottom of your bird bath to keep the water clean and fresh. Since many birds, like crows and blue jays, are attracted to shiny objects, the pennies can also help you attract them to your yard and garden.

Pre-1982 pennies, in particular, work best for this hack, since older pennies have a higher ratio of copper to other metals like zinc, which is toxic to birds.  For best results, replace the pennies every few months. The coins are an excellent alternative to harsh chemicals and cleaners which can be harmful to wildlife and the environment. While the copper pennies will help keep the water clean, it still helps to switch out the water whenever you water your garden or yard, particularly in warmer climates.