Safety First!

Spring is traditionally the time of housecleaning. The days get warmer and longer and all the winter dust shows. But before you start cleaning out the cobwebs, consider the safety of your birds. Foremost, clip those wings! No tragedy Is greater than watching your beloved pet take wing.

Aerosol sprays should always be suspect. Not only does aerosol damage the ozone, the airborne sprays may not be good for your birds either. Think before spraying. Room deodorizers may be pleasant to humans and unpleasant for birds. Should you need to freshen your home, consider a simmering potpourri made from natural herbs and spices. Or simply use fragrant, fresh flowers. But check first to make sure the flowers are also on the non-toxic list. Beware of bug killers and sprays. Raid is just as harmful to your bird as to the wasp. A tried and true method for eliminating wasps and bees buzzing through the house is to simply vacuum them up. Also toxic to birds are insecticide sprays used on your house plants, mothballs, denture cleaners, cigarette butts, and agricultural gardening chemicals. Read the label. Never use chemicals where organic or natural products are available. Those weed killers and garden sprays you use not only kill weeds and bugs, but they also enter the ground water system and kill beneficial insects, fish, and birds.

Remember, clean windows are beautiful, but potentially dangerous. Just as you can walk into the patio door, your bird can easily fly into the window. Ceiling fans can cause serious injury, as can smaller room fans. Never leave a fan on when your bird is out and unattended. Also, never leave open containers of water lying about. A simple scare can send your bird flying frantically, right into the cleaning bucket or toilet. Drowning is a preventable tragedy.

If painting or remodeling the home, find a bird sitter. The fumes can be harmful. Also, beware of self-cleaning ovens, oven cleaners, or anything creating fumes. Safe disinfectants are available. Bleach, at 200 ml per gallon, is good for disinfecting fungi. Bleach is not as effective against micro bacteria and many viruses. For viral disinfectants, Avinol and Virkon S are very effective. Both can be purchased from an avian veterinarian. Avinol is generally used at 3 1/2 ounces per gallon and is effective against most viruses. Virkon S is used at 1/2 to 1 ounce to a gallon and is also effective against most viruses. When in doubt, call your vet!

Safe pest removal can be achieved with natural products. Diatomaceous earth is an excellent flea repellent and is not harmful to either your bird or your dog. An excellent ant deterrent is a blend of cinnamon, cayenne and clove in either a lemon or vinegar solution. Remember, if your bird shows any signs of illness, or you suspect your bird may have gotten into something harmful, call your vet or the after hour emergency clinic in your area.

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