Pesticides?

[happycat]

Hello, I've got a few questions about pesticides and parrots.

First of all, what do you guys do when pesticides are sprayed? Do you just keep the windows closed, wipe off your feet etc.?

Also, how can I tell if pesticides were sprayed? I haven't seen any notices about pesticides, or any signs telling me they were spraying. I don't even know if they spray in our area. But just today I found a dead bird, no scratch marks, and it doesn't look like it was attacked by an animal. I know that you often see dead birds when pesticides are sprayed. I just cannot tell if and when they are spraying in our area, I even looked it up and didn't find anything.

Thanks!

 

[weco]

If you live in an apartment, ask the landlord/building manager; a residential house, call you city/county public works office and inquire as to what their spraying schedule is and yes, not knowing what might be sprayed, I would keep windows and doors closed.....

A dead bird that doesn't appear to have been attacked, could have flown into something, could have had a heart attack or died from some other condition.....but, I wouldn't worry too much unless you see more of them.....

 

[happycat]

If you live in an apartment, ask the landlord/building manager; a residential house, call you city/county public works office and inquire as to what their spraying schedule is and yes, not knowing what might be sprayed, I would keep windows and doors closed.....

A dead bird that doesn't appear to have been attacked, could have flown into something, could have had a heart attack or died from some other condition.....but, I wouldn't worry too much unless you see more of them.....

Thanks, Weco.

We live in a condo. We are going to call our building manager, or the public works office like you said, tomorrow. They are closed tonight. Our county is pretty strict on that kind of stuff, so I don't think they spray. But it could still be private bug control.

Ah, I have one other question though. Even if they DID spray pesticides, could it get to him with the windows open?

 

[Kalidasa]

Dead birds without any seeming injuries or things like that can also be the result of West Nile virus in your area. If you keep seeing it, report it to your local DNR or other proper authorities, because that's how they track it in certain areas, through dead birds who've contracted the virus via mosquito bites.
It doesn't hurt to check up on west Nile activity in your area.

 

[weco]

Ah, I have one other question though. Even if they DID spray pesticides, could it get to him with the windows open?

It could, though unless it was sprayed directly in your window, there would be a considerable dilution factor, so you'd pretty much need to know how close it was sprayed...if it was private exterminators, finding out who they were & finding out what they used would be to your benefit too.....

As an aside. if you have any relatives or friends who are attorneys, you might run it by them...I have no idea if you would have any recourse as far as vet bills, etc., in case your feathered friend(s) were to get sick...just thinking out loud.....