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Lawn Problem
I have a large brownish patch on the lawn, under the bird feeder. I
assumed that this was due to the seed husk and other detritus left by the birds. However I found out today that swmbo washes the feeder with dilute disinfectant every week (on a Sat morning whilst I'm in town getting the paper). Is this likely to damage the lawn, or will it recover when I move the feeder and the grass starts to grow? -- Roger T 700 ft up in Mid-Wales |
Lawn Problem
"Roger Tonkin" wrote in message ... I have a large brownish patch on the lawn, under the bird feeder. I assumed that this was due to the seed husk and other detritus left by the birds. However I found out today that swmbo washes the feeder with dilute disinfectant every week (on a Sat morning whilst I'm in town getting the paper). How strange to disinfect the feeders in situ. I always take them down, empty them, scrub them, disinfect them, dry them out and refill them. Bit difficult to do that while they are hanging up outside... Is this likely to damage the lawn, or will it recover when I move the feeder and the grass starts to grow? The grass will probably probably if was only dilute disinfectant. I hope. Roger T 700 ft up in Mid-Wales |
Lawn Problem
On Mar 2, 10:46*am, Roger Tonkin wrote:
I have a large brownish patch on the lawn, under the bird feeder. I assumed that this was due to the seed husk and other detritus left by the birds. However I found out today that swmbo washes the feeder with dilute disinfectant every week (on a Sat morning whilst I'm in town getting the paper). Is this likely to damage the lawn, or will it recover when I move the feeder and the grass starts to grow? -- Roger T 700 ft up in Mid-Wales Disinfectant is innimical to all life. That's what the word means. I expect the grass will come back in the end. Also poisonous to birds unless washed off afterwards. You might mention this to SWMBO. |
Lawn Problem
On Wed, 2 Mar 2011 10:35:59 -0800 (PST), harry
wrote: On Mar 2, 10:46*am, Roger Tonkin wrote: I have a large brownish patch on the lawn, under the bird feeder. I assumed that this was due to the seed husk and other detritus left by the birds. However I found out today that swmbo washes the feeder with dilute disinfectant every week (on a Sat morning whilst I'm in town getting the paper). Is this likely to damage the lawn, or will it recover when I move the feeder and the grass starts to grow? -- Roger T 700 ft up in Mid-Wales Disinfectant is innimical to all life. That's what the word means. I expect the grass will come back in the end. Also poisonous to birds unless washed off afterwards. You might mention this to SWMBO. I clean my bird table (and feeders) monthly with a 5% solution of household disinfectant (not anything like Domestos!) sprayed on from a trigger bottle. That is followed by a decent hose down. I've never noticed any problem with the lawn under the bird table. It is important to clean things occasionally. Timing's important - I clean in mid to late afternoon - a time when the table never seems to get visited by birds. It can dry before being replenished with food in the night. I'd guess that if the lawn is being damaged then the solution SWMBO's using is too strong and this could have an adverse effect on the birds as well. You can also get bactericidal cleaners specifically for bird tables and feeders if you fancy the outlay! |
Lawn Problem
On Mar 2, 7:04*pm, Jake Nospam@invalid wrote:
On Wed, 2 Mar 2011 10:35:59 -0800 (PST), harry wrote: On Mar 2, 10:46 am, Roger Tonkin wrote: I have a large brownish patch on the lawn, under the bird feeder. I assumed that this was due to the seed husk and other detritus left by the birds. However I found out today that swmbo washes the feeder with dilute disinfectant every week (on a Sat morning whilst I'm in town getting the paper). Is this likely to damage the lawn, or will it recover when I move the feeder and the grass starts to grow? -- Roger T 700 ft up in Mid-Wales Disinfectant is innimical to all life. That's what the word means. I expect the grass will come back in the end. *Also poisonous to birds unless washed off afterwards. You might mention this to SWMBO. I clean my bird table (and feeders) monthly with a 5% solution of household disinfectant (not anything like Domestos!) sprayed on from a trigger bottle. That is followed by a decent hose down. I've never noticed any problem with the lawn under the bird table. It is important to clean things occasionally. Timing's important - I clean in mid to late afternoon - a time when the table never seems to get visited by birds. It can dry before being replenished with food in the night. I'd guess that if the lawn is being damaged then the solution SWMBO's using is too strong and this could have an adverse effect on the birds as well. You can also get bactericidal cleaners specifically for bird tables and feeders if you fancy the outlay!- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - The disinfectant is a complete waste of time and money. A good wash does the trick. |
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Lawn Problem
On 02/03/2011 10:46, Roger Tonkin wrote:
I have a large brownish patch on the lawn, under the bird feeder. I assumed that this was due to the seed husk and other detritus left by the birds. However I found out today that swmbo washes the feeder with dilute disinfectant every week (on a Sat morning whilst I'm in town getting the paper). Is this likely to damage the lawn, or will it recover when I move the feeder and the grass starts to grow? It may be the disinfectant solution, but I get brown lawn patches at this time of year simply because I scatter seed on the lawn in harsh weather. The frantic avian hoovering up of all the seed tends to leave the lawn a bit bare. This makes me think that, perhaps, ground-feeding birds are clearing up fallen seed from under your bird feeder and leaving the turf somewhat thin. If so, it's not a serious problem. The lawn will probably green up on its own, but will do it sooner if you re-seed it. Your wife may, or may not, be harming the birds with her disinfectant solution (depending on its strength), but surely the resulting disinfectant swill is better poured down the drain, where it will perform another task for her. Do, please, pass on this information tactfully ;~). -- Spider from high ground in SE London gardening on clay |
Lawn Problem
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Lawn Problem
On Mar 3, 7:05*pm, Spider wrote:
On 02/03/2011 10:46, Roger Tonkin wrote: I have a large brownish patch on the lawn, under the bird feeder. I assumed that this was due to the seed husk and other detritus left by the birds. However I found out today that swmbo washes the feeder with dilute disinfectant every week (on a Sat morning whilst I'm in town getting the paper). Is this likely to damage the lawn, or will it recover when I move the feeder and the grass starts to grow? It may be the disinfectant solution, but I get brown lawn patches at this time of year simply because I scatter seed on the lawn in harsh weather. *The frantic avian hoovering up of all the seed tends to leave the lawn a bit bare. *This makes me think that, perhaps, ground-feeding birds are clearing up fallen seed from under your bird feeder and leaving the turf somewhat thin. *If so, it's not a serious problem. *The lawn will probably green up on its own, but will do it sooner if you re-seed it. Your wife may, or may not, be harming the birds with her disinfectant solution (depending on its strength), but surely the resulting disinfectant swill is better poured down the drain, where it will perform another task for her. *Do, please, pass on this information tactfully ;~). -- Spider from high ground in SE London gardening on clay Disinfectatant is a waste of time wherever it is used in the domestic enviromment. Dangerous in some. There are a few comercial and industrial uses. |
Lawn Problem
On Mar 4, 4:14*pm, hugh ] wrote:
In message , Roger Tonkin writes In article , says... On 02/03/2011 10:46, Roger Tonkin wrote: I have a large brownish patch on the lawn, under the bird feeder. I assumed that this was due to the seed husk and other detritus left by the birds. However I found out today that swmbo washes the feeder with dilute disinfectant every week (on a Sat morning whilst I'm in town getting the paper). Is this likely to damage the lawn, or will it recover when I move the feeder and the grass starts to grow? It may be the disinfectant solution, but I get brown lawn patches at this time of year simply because I scatter seed on the lawn in harsh weather. *The frantic avian hoovering up of all the seed tends to leave the lawn a bit bare. *This makes me think that, perhaps, ground-feeding birds are clearing up fallen seed from under your bird feeder and leaving the turf somewhat thin. *If so, it's not a serious problem. *The lawn will probably green up on its own, but will do it sooner if you re-seed it. Your wife may, or may not, be harming the birds with her disinfectant solution (depending on its strength), but surely the resulting disinfectant swill is better poured down the drain, where it will perform another task for her. *Do, please, pass on this information tactfully ;~). Most of the disinfectant does go down the drain when she is finnished. We have one of these squirrel baffle things attached to the pole, which can not be removed (without taking the whole pole out of the ground!). It attracts a great deal of bird s--t, which is what she washes off onto the ground with copious ammounts of disinfectant solution. Ah the great anti-bacterial obsession. Just wash it with warm soapy water. -- hugh "Believe nothing. No matter where you read it, Or who said it, Even if I have said it, Unless it agrees with your own reason And your own common sense." Buddha- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Quite right. And rinse off. |
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