The glorious sounds of birds around the home are amazing. They tweet merrily in the morning, and you tend to love them with time.
Eventually, you feed them and consider yourself lucky to have bird friends. But afterward, the cheerful friends turn out to be enemies when you find their poop all over the patio.
Diseases carried by birds poop can be dangerous to human health. You risk getting flu-like illness if you let bird poop remain on your patio bricks or furniture.
Additionally, it contains fungus, which can also cause breathing difficulties if inhaled. And finally, bird poop is highly acidic. The uric acid in it can slowly degrade the surfaces. For that reason, we will guide you on how to clean bird poop off patio.
To clarify, birds don’t pass out urine, unlike mammals. They excrete nitrogenous waste through their poop, which is in the form of a white paste.
Unfortunately, the uric acid is estimated to have a PH of around 3 to 4.5, which is considered high. As that’s the case, it can quickly damage your furniture finish or wall paints.
Contents
- Why Do Birds Poop On Patios?
- How to Clean Bird Poop Off Patio
- How to Clean Bird Poop Off Patio Bricks, Concrete, and Stones
- How to Clean Bird Poop Off Metal, Wood, or Wicker Furniture
- FAQs On How to Clean Bird Poop Off Patio
- How Do You Get Bird Poop Off Stone?
- Does Vinegar Clean Bird Poop?
- How Do You Clean Bird Poop Off a Deck Without Hose?
- Author
Why Do Birds Poop On Patios?
Some birds have a high metabolic rate. They keep feeding the whole day, and so is their pooping habit. In fact, a study shows they can poop between 40 to 50 times daily.
With that understanding, birds will eventually poop on your patio because they love hanging around the patio area for various reasons. Take a look;
- Some birds feed on nectar found in most patio flowers.
- Birds naturally love the bright flower colors around the patios.
- Water attracts birds the most. As such, if your homestead has a swimming pool and water-filled bowls for pets, birds will hang around.
- They feed on leftovers around the patio.
- Birds also feed on pests and bugs around the patio area.
- Birds like hiding on trees around the patio to escape their predators.
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How to Clean Bird Poop Off Patio
It’s advisable to clean off bird poop immediately after they drop it. However, you may have spent the day away from home and noticed when the poop is already dried.
Unfortunately, if you let the poop stay on the surface for about 48 hours, it reacts with the surfaces. Eventually, it degrades the furniture paint finish, varnish, and concrete paints.
To keep your patio clean, learn simple tips to clean different furniture and materials.
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How to Clean Bird Poop Off Patio Bricks, Concrete, and Stones
First Phase
If the poop is fresh, you can start by wiping it off. However, if it’s dried, you need to wet it first to eliminate the disease-ridden dust. Note that this dust can cause disease due to fungus.
Ideally, wet the area stained with poop and soak a wet rag on it for around 15 minutes before proceeding.
Once the poop is wet, spread a nylon bag beneath the stained area to collect all the waste after brushing.
Then, wear rubber gloves and brush the whole area using a wire brush. Ensure all the debris fall on the plastic bag beneath.
Rubber Gloves
Wire Brush
After brushing, wrap the poop in the bag and dispose of it in the litter bin.
Second Phase
In the second phase, you will need to thoroughly clean the area and disinfect it. Later, if the paint is faded, you will have to repaint it. See how you would carry out the process.
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Smear a layer of dishwashing soap on the area and allow it to rest for around 15 minutes. On the other hand, add a few drops of dishwashing soap in lukewarm water and get ready to scrub.
Dip the brush in the soapy water and scrub the area in circular motions until the stains disappear. Then, rinse the area with a garden hose and dry if necessary.
If the stains are still visible, opt for baking soda. Smear baking soda on the surface and let it rest for around 20 minutes, then wipe it off.
After cleaning, you will need to treat the area for infections. Add vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to warm water in a ratio of 1:2 and rub the solution on the affected area. You can use a clean, soft cloth.
Vinegar
Hydrogen Peroxide
Finally, if the uric acid has degraded the paint, you will have to source the appropriate paint to match it with the whole surface.
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How to Clean Bird Poop Off Metal, Wood, or Wicker Furniture
Metal, wood, and wicker surfaces don’t need to be soaked for long because moisture can quickly degrade the material.
If you left the furniture uncovered, and unfortunately, your feathered friends stained it, you can restore its good look with a simple procedure.
Cover the stained area with a wet rag to soften the poop. You can let the rag rest on the surface for 10 minutes or less.
After the estimated time, remove the rag and smear the surface with dishwashing soap. On the other hand, fill a bucket with lukewarm water and add a few drops of dishwashing soap.
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Lightly scrub the surface with a microfiber cloth as you dip it into the foamy water until the stains disappear.
Later, treat the surface with vinegar and water solution. Add vinegar or hydrogen peroxide into warm water in a ratio of 1:2 and apply on the surface using a soft cloth.
Afterward, you will have to wax the surface of your furniture if it’s made of metal. However, if you have wood or wicker material, you can varnish them to match the whole surface.
Note that some wicker furniture are painted. So, you can wax them as well.
Also read: Best ways to clean pollen off outdoor furniture
FAQs On How to Clean Bird Poop Off Patio
How Do You Get Bird Poop Off Stone?
First, soak the affected area with a wet rag for a few minutes to weaken the dry poop. Then, scrape with a brush until the poop detaches. Remember to lay a plastic bag beneath to collect the waste.
Afterward, clean the area with soapy water and disinfect with vinegar.
See also: What is the best way to clean outdoor patio tiles?
Does Vinegar Clean Bird Poop?
Vinegar can be used to prepare bird poop cleaning solutions. Mix vinegar and dishwashing soap in a bucket with lukewarm water to prepare the cleaning solution.
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How Do You Clean Bird Poop Off a Deck Without Hose?
At least wet the area with little water in a cup or a bottle and scrape using a blunt knife.
Afterward, smear some dishwashing soap, pour a little water on the surface, and scrub with a brush in circular motions. Finally, pick up a rag and soak up the soapy water.
How to clean bird poop off the patio is easy and less expensive with homemade cleaners and disinfectants.
