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Harley and I live in South Texas. In the summer it gets super hot. With the heat comes mosquitoes.

Last week we had a warm day, mid 70s, so I did yard work and had Harley hang out with me. Even after living here for years I didn't even think of these vampire flies bothering me during winter but I soon realized that Harley was under attack too.

I have two questions.

1. Is the bug spray I use harmful or toxic to Harley? I assume it is. (Don't worry I did not spray myself or him.)

2. What can I use on or near him to keep him from getting bit?

If you've been to south Texas you know what I problem this can be. If there is nothing that can be done then he might not ever get to play outside in the summer when mosquitoes are worse.

What remedy to you suggest if any?

Mosquitoes are bad here too. Even in the winter. But.....they shouldn't actually bite Harley. My outdoor birds don't seem too bothered by them. Or flies..which are even worse here in OZ. I can't think of any product that I would consider safe enough to use on my birds. Instead we just do as much as we can to minimise potential breeding sites for them.

I was wondering about mosquitoes even being attracted to birds. I did see a tiny raised bump near his beak on the bare skin. That lead me to believe he was getting bit by them. I guess that might be the only place they can get to.

As for minimizing them, I can only do so much. I don't live in the city. I can't even see my nearest neighbours. The could be kind of close but we are so wooded around here. Bottom line it stays extremely humid so no matter what you do here the mosquitoes are always out of control.

I guess I won't worry about him and just keep them off me.

Thanks for the help. Hope you had a wonderful holiday.

Jim

Hello,
We have mosquitoes here in Northern ca. that carry West Nile virus and have wild birds dying every year.I asked my avian vet about it and she said that most birds can build up an immunity but I would check with your avian vet just to be sure.Happy New Year!!

West Nile is the greatest danger posed by mosquitoes, and thank goodness psittacines have not proven to be especially vulnerable:

http://www.oldworldaviaries.com/text/mi ... t-nile.htm My vet recommended I not have my birds out in the morning or evening when mosquitoes are feeding. Unfortunately, from late June 'til Oct, it's hard to find a time around here when the things are NOT feeding. My birds don't get much outside time during those hottest months.

[quote="Harleys_Dad"]Harley and I live in South Texas. In the summer it gets super hot. With the heat comes mosquitoes.

Last week we had a warm day, mid 70s, so I did yard work and had Harley hang out with me. Even after living here for years I didn't even think of these vampire flies bothering me during winter but I soon realized that Harley was under attack too.

I have two questions.

1. Is the bug spray I use harmful or toxic to Harley? I assume it is. (Don't worry I did not spray myself or him.)

2. What can I use on or near him to keep him from getting bit?

If you've been to south Texas you know what I problem this can be. If there is nothing that can be done then he might not ever get to play outside in the summer when mosquitoes are worse.

What remedy to you suggest if any?[/quote]




I have placed around my acreage the bug zappers. I acutlly placed electric to put these zappers up and the Mosquitos Magnet. Yes, disease and virus as POX AND WEST NILE can be a problem with your birds and the bite from Mosquitos. These flying insects go after the face of the Macaw.

I use SKIN SO SOFT on myself. this does not hurt my birds for I spray from time to tome softly my macaws. I make sure not to get in their eyes or beak.

Those zappers do a great job. I also make sure nothing is available for breeding grounds for any bug. I also spray iwth garlic oil on the grounds outside of my aviary acre.

I hope this helps.