Keep Bird Baths From Freezing With This Simple DIY Hack

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Did you know that when water freezes, it can cause serious damage to your glass or ceramic bird bath? Ice is just one downside to consider before installing a bird bath in your yard, but a simple hack might prevent freezing; try dropping a ping pong ball in the water to thwart icy buildup. This trick may not work well if you live in an excessively cold region, but it's an inexpensive method to try for those who experience milder winters or irregular icy nights.

Water freezes from the top down during frigid weather. Adding a ping pong ball into your bird bath creates subtle motion in the water that helps prevent ice from forming on the water's surface ... at least for a little while, and depending on how low the temperature drops. You can also use the ping pong ball trick alongside other strategies to cover all of your bases. For light-colored basins, try adding dark stones or rocks to the bottom so they absorb more sunlight. You'll also want to keep the bird bath full if you plan on using it during cold weather, since shallow pools of water will freeze faster.

A hack of this nature is unlikely to be enough when exceptionally cold weather is on the forecast. When temperatures get really low, consider buying something like the K&H Pet Products bird bath heater. It's painted to look like a rock and safely submerges in the water. You'll just need an electrical outlet nearby. That said, you'll need to be careful about keeping it too warm in the winter. If you don't want to turn the basin into a jacuzzi, you could always just replace the water daily. Use a dark-colored plastic sheet or tarp to line the bottom of the bowl, so that if it does freeze, the ice can be easily removed.  

You may also consider covering the bird bath and buying a black plastic tray or pot saucer with water and setting it on the back patio. Plastic takes longer to chill than glass does, and it will be easier for you to refill if it does freeze. But remember, local songbirds need more than water this winter. They'll need shelter and food, too. You can provide both by upgrading a Dollar Tree birdhouse with an inexpensive hack birds go nuts for – just don't forget to pick up a few ping pong balls for your bird bath!