Purdue Extension Service

Vanderburgh County, Indiana

Clean Your Bird and Squirrel Feeders

By Larry Caplan, Extension Horticulture Educator, Vanderburgh County, IN

For the Evansville Courier and Press, January 30, 2005

Last week, I spent a bit of time trying to track down why folks were seeing "bald" squirrels at their feeders. The squirrels appeared to be losing fur over various parts of their body. Turned out, the squirrels were infested with mange mites. These critters cause incredibly itchy rashes, and the infested animal literally scratches his fur off. Some of these mange mites will only attack squirrels and related species, but others can also attack pets and humans. During my research, I discovered that other animals we attract to our feeders can spread disease and insect problems.

As birds crowd to feeders, they are bound to catch diseases from each other. According to Oregon State University, it's easy to spot sick birds in a crowd. They are less alert and less active. They feed less and often cower on a feeder, reluctant to fly. Sick birds are more vulnerable to starvation, dehydration, predation and severe weather.

Sick birds show up at feeders and other birds get sick as a consequence," added Edge. "But this does not mean that bird feeding is bad or should be stopped. It does mean you have an ethical obligation not to jeopardize wild birds. What is called for is intelligent bird feeding.

Salmonellosis is the most commonly spread disease at feeders. This bacterial disease can kill birds quickly. Symptoms include abscesses in the lining of the upper digestive tract of the birds. Infected birds spread the bacteria in their droppings. Other birds get sick when infected droppings land on food.

Other diseases that affect birds typically using feeders also include:

Trichomoniasis: caused by a one-celled protozoan parasite. Mourning doves are particularly susceptible. Trichomoniasis causes sores in birds' mouths and throats, making it difficult for them to swallow or drink. The disease spreads when sick birds drop contaminated food or water at a feeder or watering area.

Aspergillosis: a mold that grows on damp feed and in the debris beneath feeders. Birds inhale the mold spores and infection spreads in the lungs, causing bronchitis and pneumonia.

Avian Pox: a virus that causes wartlike growths on featherless surfaces of a birds face, feet legs or wings. Virus spreads by direct contact, by insects or by viruses shed on food by infected birds.

To minimize the spread of disease at your bird and squirrel feeders, you should perform the following sanitation practices:

• Give the wild creatures enough space. Do you have only one feeder? Get another if feeder is crowded.
• Clean your feeder and the droppings on the perching area each time you fill your feeder.
• Disinfect the feeder once or twice a month with one part of liquid chlorine household bleach in nine parts of warm water. If possible, immerse the feeder for two to three minutes and allow to air dry.
• Feed squirrels and birds only high quality food. Moldy seed or bread or spoiled leftovers doesn't do them any more good than it would do you.
• Keep rodents (other than squirrels) out of the food. Mice can carry some diseases that will spread to birds and squirrels.
• Check your feeder for sharp edges where birds might cut themselves. Small scratches or cuts allow bacteria and viruses to infect a bird more easily.
• Don't handle dead or sick animals. If you find a dead bird or squirrel in your yard, keep your pets away from it. Scoop up and wrap the animal in newspaper, place it in a trash bag, and secure it in a trash can. Be sure to wear disposable rubber gloves.
• Act early and spread the word. Don't wait until you see sick birds huddled at the feeder. And tell your friends who feed animals to take the above precautions.

For more information on feeding wildlife and preventing the spread of disease, contact the naturalists at Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve at (812) 479-0771, or the Purdue Extension Service at (812) 435-5287.