mites!?

[DanaandPod]

Been a while! But, I logged on...and hopefully will get some input shortly...
My parrot has been scratching more than normal for two days. I noticed the budgies are too...(though it could be my paranoia that they started)
I read a couple articles stating that mites and lice are uncommon for pet parrots and birds. So, my question is: How true is this??? My heat is not currently on because I live on the fourth floor apartment. So, it is not dry air. Before I rush anyone to the vet... I'd like to know the probability and is it okay to get aloe juice from the super market and put in a spray bottle to try first???? thanks!!!

[Wolf]

Hi Dana;
If you use aloe juice from the supermarket make sure that it is made from the inner fillet and that it is 100 % alcohol free. Also if you will take pod into your bathroom and steam it up with the shower and just sit there in the steam for about 15 minutes, you will know if the aloe will help much as he will scratch less for a while.
You might be able to look at your birds feathers through a magnifying glass to see if you can see any mites, it would probably be easiest to see on their heads or under their wings.
I hope that this will help you.

[DanaandPod]

Thanks. He was just a little dry I guess. Ill keep non alcohol aloe from super market in mind. The birds are doing great though.

[Wolf]

Great news. A thought about heat and the air. Even though you may not be using the heat in your apartment yet, if others are using their heat on lower levels the heat rises and so it will still dry the air in your apartment. I hope this though will be helpful for you and Pod as well as your budgies.

[Pajarita]

Correct. Aside from that, humans feel comfortable with much lower levels of humidity compared to parrots so, if it feels good to you, it's too low for them.