Gardeners are being urged to put a penny in their bird bath this summer for important reason

The Sun

06-06-2025

PLACING a penny in your bird bath can have an unexpected benefit this summer.
This simple and extremely cheap step can help to transform your garden decor, and help attract more birds.
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As well as serving as a stylish feature, bird baths have a positive impact on your outdoor space.
They attract birds to your garden, helping to control the amount of insects in your flowerbeds.
However, they also tend to become a breeding ground for algae.
But according to experts, there is a quick trick which can solve this problem, and there's no scrubbing involved..
The solution is also extremely cost-effective, as all you need is one penny.
According to the experts at Homes and Gardens, throwing a penny into your bird bath can help to ward off algae.
"The copper present in pre-1982 one or two-penny coins triggers a chemical reaction in your bird bath's water," the pros explained.
They continued on to say that this "acts to naturally fend off the development of algae".
Rocky Trifari, a bird enthusiast and owner of The Rocky Safari, spoke to the publication about the benefits of the hack.
"Copper is a natural biocide with properties that interfere with the biological processes algae and other microorganisms rely on," the expert said.
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"When copper ions leach into the water, they promote an environment that discourages the growth of green algae, one of the main causes of that slimy, dirty water found in birdbaths."
Make sure your pennies are free of rust or corrosion before adding them to your bird bath.
Since birds drink and bathe in the water, prolonged exposure to these elements could cause health risks.
While pennies won't act as a permanent solution to algae, they can definitely help reduce growth.
What does the RSPB think?
The organisation said: "Birds need water for drinking and bathing.
"There are many ways of providing water in the garden, but the simplest? A bird bath.
"Many people put food out for birds, but fewer provide a regular supply of clean water. Birds need water for drinking and bathing.
"Bird baths are particularly important in weather extremes: During winter when natural supplies may be frozen, and in dry conditions such as hot summers with weeks of no rain.
"But being small and enclosed, bird baths can easily become dirty and stagnant, and even dangerous, without regular cleaning.
"Make sure you change the water in your bird bath daily and give bird baths a thorough clean once a week to help prevent the spread of disease."
How to encourage wildlife into your garden
THE Woodland Trust shared five top tips
1. Grow wild
Let nature take its course to create a more attractive environment for all things wild. You don't have to leave your plot to develop into a small jungle – wildlife will thank you for just a small corner, border or planter.
2. Plant trees and shrubs
Research has shown that gardens are more attractive to wildlife if they have trees. And those trees can bring a host of other benefits too, from reducing noise and flooding to fighting climate change.
3. Create homes
If you want to attract a particular species, a ready-made home can look especially appealing to any wildlife passing through.
4. Offer a water source
Water is crucial for wildlife. Making some available in your garden could be a lifeline, especially in extreme weather.
5. Serve an extra meal
One of the best ways to persuade a plethora of wildlife to your patch is to give them access to an easy meal.
Other cleaning hacks and gardening tips
A £1 buy can also be used to transform your mouldy outdoor furniture.
Alternatively, a kitchen ingredient can also be used to scrub up your garden set.
Another budget buy is also said to leave your outdoor garden set gleaming in time for summer.
Or you can opt to clean your garden furniture in seconds with a DIY hack.
And an 80p hack helps to lift stubborn algae from your garden surfaces.
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