Worried

[GreenWing]

So, as many of you know, I'm looking to adopt a parrot soon.

We've been in our new place for about two months; it's an old house (100 years old) but has been completely remodeled. While at my computer, I've heard a scratching sound coming from the outside corner of the house. My partner has checked it out but he did a bit of a half-ass job as he only checked out the attic for a bird nest (according to him the section of wood is shared and he didn't see any evidence of birds or mice in the attic). This morning, while outside, I went over to the area and a bird flew right past me. There's bird droppings on the side of the house and on the ground underneath the house corner. But checking it out, there doesn't seem to be a hole big enough for a bird, and I don't see any evidence of branches or twigs. The bird could have been perched there but I am really concerned about this, regarding bird mites.

We've been itchy lately in the house but this could just be paranoia. Should I be concerned about bird mites? I am just worried because I really want to adopt and I don't want any problems that could affect the bird or prevent adoption.

[marie83]

Unless the birds are actually getting inside your house I shouldn't think you have anything to worry about. Its possible the last occupiers didn't look after any pets they might have had properly though and left some unwelcome guests behind if your getting bitten. In which case I would go to the vets and get some flea/tick and mite spray to treat the house with (don't even bother with the stuff they sell in petshops, they are mainly ineffective on the whole). If you do treat the house I wouldn't bring a bird home for at least a week or 2 after the last treatment has finished to err on the side of caution, after all it is toxic chemicals.

I would ask if its possible the itching is caused by a change in environment though? I know mine always dries out and gets really itchy if I spend lots of time in places with the heating on or am subjected to a change of water hardness etc. Or it could even be caused by stress or dietary changes is you have been too busy moving to eat a good a diet as you usually would.

[GreenWing]

Thanks so much, Marie! Yeah it could be just the new environment that is making me itchy. The previous owners did have pets and they fed the wild birds bread in the yard! I called the Avian Vet and the Portland Audubon and they basically said what you said, that it shouldn't be a concern unless birds were IN the house. I want to take precautions though, so I'll probably get some of the treatment you mention and just spray it around the house a bit. I'm not sure if I'm getting bitten but I do feel itchy. My spouse is going to check out the outside corner for a nest this weekend, and put screens up.

I guess I'm just fearful because I lost Tiki and I don't want to lose another bird, I want the best for my bird.

[Pajarita]

Mites are like lice and they need direct contact for them to pass from one bird to another so don't worry at all about this because it's a non-issue.

[GreenWing]

Mites are like lice and they need direct contact for them to pass from one bird to another so don't worry at all about this because it's a non-issue.

Thank you so much for the response, my spouse checked out that outside corner today and there is no nest there, so I justam relieved about that. He put screens up to prevent the songbirds from perching there, too. But I read horror stories on the internet that a bird mite infestation can occur if there are bird nests near a home. We have bird houses in the yard. Is this really a concern or am I overthinking this?

[Pajarita]

LOL - Yes, you are. See my reply to your pm.