colonelboris
Right way up again
Is it ok to use Milton to disinfect bird feeders? I know it's safe for use with babies without rinsing, so surely it can't be too bad on the birds?
Cheers,
Tony
Cheers,
Tony
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What's good for disinfecting? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter colonelboris
- Start date
SquirrelOsO
Well-known member
colonelboris said:
bleach and water
1 part bleach to 4 parts water
colonelboris
Right way up again
I think using ordinary hypochlorite bleach will eventually kill the plastic, so Milton it is - cheers for the help.
SquirrelOsO
Well-known member
colonelboris said:
what is milton? i dont think we have that in the states, is it salt?
scampo
Steve Campsall
Milton is simply a (...rather expensive) form of chlorine bleach (consisting of very dilute - 1% - sodium hypochlorite). This will certainly kill "all-known germs" stone dead so in that respect is excellent for this use. Potential problems might arise later as it attacks metals and might weakens some plastics but if you rinse later with clear water this shopuldn't happen.colonelboris said:
I suspect it is also very environmentally friendly being such a simple chemical.
colonelboris
Right way up again
scampo said:
Indeedly it is - also with 16.5% salt w/v.
It actually says it's safe to swallow on the bottle. Mmmm, bleeeeach....
scampo
Steve Campsall
Yes - apparently it is immediately neutralised and converted to common salt when in contact with proteins. I notice it's also a 2% solution in its retail form. Seems rather good stuff!colonelboris said:
Reading their web site (such fun...) to sterilise anything, it needs to be in close contact for some time - ten minutes at least, I think, or bacterial and other spores will remain.
Last edited:
colonelboris
Right way up again
Ah, that'll be ok though.
I've only been glancing at the trich thread - did I see that it's more a fungal thing than a bacteria or virus? Would it be better to use Campden tablets in that case?
I've only been glancing at the trich thread - did I see that it's more a fungal thing than a bacteria or virus? Would it be better to use Campden tablets in that case?
colonelboris
Right way up again
scampo said:
Yep - they're sodium metabisulphite that decomposes to SO2. Apparently it really goes for fungus and yeasts, but chlorine, as you say, would kick the backside off of it...
Transformer
Well-known member
Here is how I disinfect my feeders. It's EASY but not everyone will be able to do it, depending upon your laundry setup.
Our washing machine is set up to empty into the sink right next to it. WHEN I DO A WHITE LOAD WITH BLEACH, I place the feeder in the sink, everything open (top, anything like select-a-seed features open, etc). It "floods" the feeeder, thereby disinfecting it. No need to stand there with a bottle brush, a tooth brush, etc trying to get into cracks and crevices. It does it for me.
Our washing machine is set up to empty into the sink right next to it. WHEN I DO A WHITE LOAD WITH BLEACH, I place the feeder in the sink, everything open (top, anything like select-a-seed features open, etc). It "floods" the feeeder, thereby disinfecting it. No need to stand there with a bottle brush, a tooth brush, etc trying to get into cracks and crevices. It does it for me.
For both my indoor and outdoor birds I use a vinegar and water solution. I just feel safer using it rather than bleach, especially on wood feeders AND because my daughter likes to help. Also makes bird bath cleaning easier.
If I encounter a mold problem I use a bleach soak but that's it
If I encounter a mold problem I use a bleach soak but that's it
g1wae
Well-known member
Why not try "DURAMYTEX" the pidgeon men use it,with no problems. But do be careful; one capfull to two pints of water. I use it to shift fleas off my dog; one capfull a "bath" of water works a treat for the summer!.
That's my suggestion, should keep feeders disease free for months.
charlie.
That's my suggestion, should keep feeders disease free for months.
charlie.
scampo
Steve Campsall
I wonder if this is so? The disinfectant would need to form a protective shield that is weather proof, too, if the effect was to be long-lasting.g1wae said:
Sadly, once a clean area becomes reinfected with droppings or saliva, the food around that infection can easily become a source of infection, too.
I would guess that the only effective way to prevent infection is to remove the feeder and wait until any infected birds in the area have either died or no longer infected. I can see the day coming when we will not be able to buy communal tube type feeders as they seem to me to be an obvious source of cross infection.
Transformer
Well-known member
Essential oils. Eucalyptus, thyme, lavender, tea tree. You can buy oils in larger quantities online. DO NOT go buy tiny bottles of organic essentials at your local health food store, you'll go broke! If you're doing large areas such as the deck, buy in 8 to 16 oz quantities. Most oils will keep for several years. Try www.camdengrey.com. If you find a less expensive source, let me know, but their prices are the best I have found anywhere.2Pats said:
See this site for a listing of essential oils and their properties:
http://www.aromaweb.com/essentialoils/default.asp
Mix the oils with water and spray onto the deck, and brush it in. You can find large, wide wood deck brushes at Lowes or HD. Let it sit and allow it to evaporate on its own, there is no need to wipe or rinse it off. You may also want to add lemon oil to the mix, just cos it's good for the wood.
None of the oils mentioned here are harmful to any living thing. However, don't go overboard and use too much of the oils, either, as they are highly concentrated.
