- HubPages»
- Home and Garden»
- Gardening»
- Landscaping
Water Wigglers - Protect Your Bird Bath from Mosquitoes
Combat Mosquitos and Attract Birds
Bird baths are a great way to attract birds to your back yard. Birds love and of course, need water, in addition to enjoying a good bath now and then.
It is widely known that standing water in a bird bath can be a health hazard not only for the birds but humans as well.
Here is one device that improves both attracting the birds and keeping their bird bath healthy - the water wiggler.
Keeping your Bird Bath Safe, Clean, and Fresh
Every bird bath is going to require some small amount of maintenance. It is best if the water in your bath is changed on a daily basis or at least on a regular basis. With the West Nile Virus and other mosquito borne diseases always on our minds, solutions like this have become more popular with bird lovers who want to keep a supply of water, but in a safe and clean way.
The water wiggler is one simple device that is very easy to use that can solve these problems. It is a battery operated device that simply sets up a small vibration that ripples the water. It is a well known fact that mosquitoes breed in still or standing water which is what you have in a bird bath. So by adding a water wiggler, you are combating the mosquito breeding and giving your feathered friends the water they need right in your backyard.
Also offered are ceramic versions in a variety of colors. The ceramic is more durable, and can be chosen to match the color of the bird bath you are using it in.
Why does rippling water attract the birds? Simple, because they can see it better. If water is still, it creates a glare, especially in sunshine. If it is rippling or moving, it is noticeable and attractable.
CONNECTION THEORY: The same water ripple theory also applies to a diving pool. There is a small hose spitting water onto the targeted diving spot in the water to create ripples so the diver can "see" the water.
Additional Information on Water Wigglers - Pros and Cons
PRO - The water wiggler works in all seasons and in moderate winters and will keep ice from forming with the rippling motion of the water.
PRO - Many birds are attracted to the site of moving water (that's why many bird baths have a small fountain) so in some cases it can successfully attract more birds to your bird bath.
CON - One drawback is that in a small bird bath, the wiggler may take up the majority of the resting area available to the birds, so make sure that you get a wiggler sized to the bird bath you will use it in.
This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.
© 2008 Joanie Ruppel