Seed Guard

[Wolf]

As a deflector, you want to be able to clean it so I wouldn't keep the bark on as it is rough enough to be hard to clean, If you are going to use the branches as a perch then leave the bark on. in either case you need to wash the branches and heat in oven to 350 deg. F. for 30 minutes to kill any insects or parasites.

[EmberSanja]

Okay, got it! Will I need to leave it in the sun at all after the oven? I've read that sun drying is good for it, but that might be after cleaning it from the cage

[Wolf]

Sun drying is not needed after the oven, just after cleaning.

[EmberSanja]

Okay, thanks! Do I clean with just water, or with a vinegar/water mix? The vinegar seems very smelly and I don't know about the health aspect, but I've seen a fair number of people recommending it or saying they use it themselves. Is there maybe a special avian cleaning fluid I will need to buy?

Thanks again! I appreciate all of your help

[Wolf]

soap and water work fine for me.

[Pajarita]

Yes, I use warm water with a good splash of dish detergent and a tiny one of Clorox. It's not only perfectly safe, it's also the best way to disinfect everything (vinegar is really not that effective so I really don't know why people use it or recommend it).

[EmberSanja]

Okay, I'll use whichever is available when I clean things! Would I need to let the Clorox solution air out at all?