I'm so worried about my fids. What should I do?

Hello everyone, I'm new here but I'm posting this because this is sort of an emergency.

I'm 19yo, currently without a job and I'm living in an apt with my mom and sister.

I used to have 5 birds, but one of them that I really had a special bond with passed away last year and I've really been even more depressed since his passing (I've had lots of other family issues and his loss really hurt me more). He was a Patagonian Conure.

Fast forward now, I have 4 birds who I love just as much and they've been able to keep me from going totally into the darkness.

However, one of my other birds is sick again (he's mainly been "under the weather" so nothing extreme as of now) and it's likely due to a heart condition–the vet and I aren't sure yet.

That's not the only problem though–the apartment we're living in has had a slight roach problem ever since we moved in over a year and a half ago. Before I got 4 more birds we only had one and we moved her into a room that wasn't being fumigated (she's small and has a "small" cage), and weeks went by and eventually the roaches just stayed within the kitchen area and rarely the bathroom area.

A couple of days ago I felt even more violated, because I turned on the lights, only to my horror, seeing a few roaches either on or around 2 of my birds' cages. I've never seen this ever, and I'm absolutely horrified and now worried for the safety and health of my fids.

I've been staying up countless nights, but now even moreso, with the heat lamp near my slightly ill Jenday's cage because I have not been able to sleep nights at all knowing these disgusting creatures are not only walking around, but now climbing my fids' cages. My Caique seems to be safe... for now, and my lovebird is on a platform where she won't have bugs around her.

And mind you, I got my Jenday, Senegal and Caique big, big cages (32x24). I even tried putting vasoline around the cage legs. I don't know if they're working because I still saw a few climbing around my Jenday's cage and 2 around my Sennie's. I'm thinking–what if they're already breeding within the small holes the cages are created with?

I don't know what to do. I don't want to get rid of them because my fids are LITERALLY all I have. At the same time, they're in perfect health (bloodwork or gram stains show they're fine in those aspects) but I don't want to be responsible for something bad to happen to them health-wise in the future.

My dad–who I personally do not speak to any longer–has told my mom for me to put down my late Paddy, who then passed away 2 or 3 weeks later; and has been bugging my mom for me to get rid of the rest of my birds.

I don't have really anyone to depend on in real life. When I mean that my birds are all I have, I literally mean it but I don't want this slight bug problem growing into an infestation and then my fids getting sick from small roach waste or beaking one.

I'm crying while I'm typing this. My mom has mainly been speechless. She's been helping me clean around the fids' cages while I clean their cages, but recently she told me just use a small nail filer to fling off the one's I haven't been able to kill because they're in small corners/spaces.

What should I do? I'm at my wit's end and I'm so stressed. I want the best for my fids', but I don't don't ever want to see them every again either.

Hi and sorry to hear things are not great for you. I am enclosing a link re cockroaches as this may help you eliminate them? Or at least reduce them by reducing access to food and water.

Cockroaches - Cockroach advice and control

If fumigation is required please, please be careful for your birds and try to get them out of the apartment. This can be deadly.

Is moving a possibility?

plumsmum2005 said:

Hi and sorry to hear things are not great for you. I am enclosing a link re cockroaches as this may help you eliminate them? Or at least reduce them by reducing access to food and water.

Cockroaches - Cockroach advice and control

If fumigation is required please, please be careful for your birds and try to get them out of the apartment. This can be deadly.

Is moving a possibility?

Click to expand...

Thank you for your response.

I'm so sorry if my OP sounds over-dramatized but I have been easily stressed lately. A friend on FB told me I can get the apartment complex fumigators as they usually have chemicals that are bird-safe. I've been reading online and usually they're anything but; however, I used to work at a pet store that hired these fumigators who guaranteed their fumes were safe around the birds. I saw it first-hand myself. We would just undome the birds an hour later.

My mom has a job and she told me she could look into possibly getting that company that treats the store I used to work at to come here; however, another thing that I've read is that is if you just spray, the roaches will just go around the treated areas until the chemicals die down. IMO it almost sounds like a lose/lose situation since the next door apartment has plumbing issues and the people above us aren't very clean.

At this point, I do feel like putting my foot down. Moving out of here when we first saw roaches and other bugs coming out of the walls (at least to a different building number) should've been the first thing we did when we saw this issue and heard of the problems with the adjacent tenants.

Before my mom left for work I told her I'd rather re-home my birds and be for certain they'd be healthy than watch them die over something so stupid that can be and could be easily avoidable.

Again, my apologies but I definitely want the best for my birds. I just feel absolutely violated and disgusted.

SirMarty said:

plumsmum2005 said:

Hi and sorry to hear things are not great for you. I am enclosing a link re cockroaches as this may help you eliminate them? Or at least reduce them by reducing access to food and water.

Cockroaches - Cockroach advice and control

If fumigation is required please, please be careful for your birds and try to get them out of the apartment. This can be deadly.

Is moving a possibility?

Click to expand...

Thank you for your response.

I'm so sorry if my OP sounds over-dramatized but I have been easily stressed lately. A friend on FB told me I can get the apartment complex fumigators as they usually have chemicals that are bird-safe. I've been reading online and usually they're anything but; however, I used to work at a pet store that hired these fumigators who guaranteed their fumes were safe around the birds. I saw it first-hand myself. We would just undome the birds an hour later.

My mom has a job and she told me she could look into possibly getting that company that treats the store I used to work at to come here; however, another thing that I've read is that is if you just spray, the roaches will just go around the treated areas until the chemicals die down. IMO it almost sounds like a lose/lose situation since the next door apartment has plumbing issues and the people above us aren't very clean.

At this point, I do feel like putting my foot down. Moving out of here when we first saw roaches and other bugs coming out of the walls (at least to a different building number) should've been the first thing we did when we saw this issue and heard of the problems with the adjacent tenants.

Before my mom left for work I told her I'd rather re-home my birds and be for certain they'd be healthy than watch them die over something so stupid that can be and could be easily avoidable.

Again, my apologies but I definitely want the best for my birds. I just feel absolutely violated and disgusted.

Click to expand...

Yes I would too, YUK!

If you read the link there are things that you can do to help yourself and as they say every little helps LOL

Blocking off any entry point into your apartment, I am not sure but would silicone be enough for this job? If you can locate the main entry points and work on those, then little by little whittle it down. Obviously, you need to be spotlessly clean and things like bleach have dangers to your birds also. Quoting from link:-

Areas with food, water and dark spaces to hide are ideal environments for Cockroaches to live. Here few prevention tips for securing your property:

• Keep areas clean and tidy - Clean all surfaces thoroughly to remove any food residue. Try and not leave dirty dishes and utensils in the sink. Keep bins covered, clean, and emptied regularly. Areas such as top or beneath your refrigerator are warm and food collect their, attracting Cockroaches, so clean these areas regularly.
  
  
• Proofing and Repair - seal gaps around doors, windows, and where utility lines enter to prevent entry. If possible, repair any leaks beneath the sink, and on the sink top, immediately, thus cutting a potential water source

Make sure the birds food is not low down and dont leave it for long periods of time

I do appreciate your helplessness and frustration but there are things you can do. No one should have live with this in this day and age, someone else being the stem of the problem not you.

Again be VERY CAREFUL re any chemicals in proximity to your birds as the consequences are too awful to consider.

I had a similar problem in my old apartment, seemed to go away once one of my neighbor's moved...

Where are you located? There might be some options in your area for housing or handling it though the landlord.

I understand the concern regarding providing a location, but since most Threads involve Avian Vet Services, sources for Avian diet, and/or local laws, especially regarding care of pets. Addressing specific issues becomes problematic without a general location. Also, this Forum has members from nearly all Countries of the World. So, if you are concerned about providing a City, at least provide something general, like Eastern America or Eastern Europe, etc...

Regarding Roaches and rental property. Most Cities in the USA require that the Landlord is responsible to maintain a Roach (bug) free apartment. It is normally stated in the rental agreement. Read yours and determine who is responsible!

As you stated, there are water based Avian safe roach killers on the market. However, as a general statement, it is always best to leave the home (apartment) with all parrots and pets. The length of time is bases on the instructions provided with the treating chemical, plus 2 to 6 hours, which is dependent of what a good Human nose can detect.

Clearing the cage and all of the parrots stuff is very important to assure that all nests are found and eliminated.

Numbers: If you see a couple, you likely have hundreds. If you see lots, you likely have thousands. If one room is infected in an apartment, all rooms are infected.

Roach hotels do work in small areas and short term use around your parrots area should let you get some sleep. FYI: The chemicals used in the hotels are deadly to your parrots. Do not let your parrots play or chew on them. Remove them when your parrots are out and replacement when your parrots are back inside your.

NOTE: If you elect to move, remember that everything and I do mean 'everything' will need to be cleaned and treatment sprayed to assure that you do not simply transport them with you!

@ SaliBoat : Great stuff, yet again!

Excellent information above.

Years ago we had the same problem in a new apartment. Was a lot of work initially to completely eradicate the problem but worth the peace of mind. Granted we probably went a bit overboard but I was freaked out.

We had a severe macaw & our kitty at the time. We boarded them at the vets for several days.

We got rid of ever food item in the kitchen. Pulled out appliances (even stove/fridge, emptied all cupboards, cabinets, etc. throughout the home. We actually found some entry points where the light fixtures & electrical outlets on the shared wall (apartment behind was infested). So we pull off all of the fixtures, outlets etc. and moved the appliance out from against the wall before fumigating.
The landlord was responsible for the treatment.

Once everything was treated completely. I laundered everything in the home (clean or dirty). Then spent days cleaning, washing dishes and wiping down every surface with vinegar/lemon juice. Cleaned behind/beneath appliances/cabinets etc.

We also sealed in and around every outlet, light fixture/ceiling fixture, plumbing fixtures, piping etc. with caulking/silicone.

After everything was totally cleaned & it was safe we brought home the pets.

Never saw another bugger after that.

Roaches are a curable but insidious menace. While I have no additional techniques or cautions to add, your closeness to your fids mandates you focus on keeping them in your family. While roaches are disgusting, there are many household items far more injurious to parrots.

Aquila said:

I had a similar problem in my old apartment, seemed to go away once one of my neighbor's moved...

Where are you located? There might be some options in your area for housing or handling it though the landlord.

Click to expand...

I live in Virginia Beach.

My mom went out and bought some roach motels. I placed them around the area of my Jenday's and Sennie's cages. The danger they pose is duly noted, so I will let my mom know so they are not out while those motels are around them. Tonight I haven't seen any roach on either my Jenday's or Sennie's cages (knock on wood) so that's a relief.

Pest control is also coming later this morning to apply lots of roach bait around the living/dining room areas, and my mom is considering getting a storage facility (FINALLY!) to get rid of her clutter. I'll let you know how things go, but I will try and push to relocate to different building. I do NOT feel comfortable with roaches around my birds' cages at all.

Thank-you for your reply and update. Happy to hear that you have several short term solutions underway.

Please take a couple of minutes to update your profile with your location. This will go along way when members are responding to future Threads.

FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth.

Natural and non toxic to the birds. Personally I wouldn't put it in the cage itself, but I'd certainly put it on the floor, the poop tray if your birds can't reach it, and wherever the roaches are known to frequent. The product works simply by penetrating the insect's hard shell and causing them to dry out and die.

Fact Sheet

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00025H2PO/de12-20"]Purchase From Amazon[/ame]

[ame="https://youtu.be/lAKQO7duPHU"]Video of Cockroach which dies from diatomaceous earth exposure.[/ame]

SailBoat said:

Thank-you for your reply and update. Happy to hear that you have several short term solutions underway.

Please take a couple of minutes to update your profile with your location. This will go along way when members are responding to future Threads.

Click to expand...

Vapor said:

FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth.

Natural and non toxic to the birds. Personally I wouldn't put it in the cage itself, but I'd certainly put it on the floor, the poop tray if your birds can't reach it, and wherever the roaches are known to frequent. The product works simply by penetrating the insect's hard shell and causing them to dry out and die.

Fact Sheet

Purchase From Amazon

Video of Cockroach which dies from diatomaceous earth exposure.

Click to expand...

I'd just like to start off by thanking you guys for your concern and support! I will go ahead and update my profile, and a couple of weeks ago my mom did buy some food grade DE.

Secondly, I'd like to say that a moderator may now lock this thread! We are slowly (but surely!) starting to tackle this. I'm not actually sure we will be able to relocate, even to a different building in the same complex, but I have been bugging my mom to get a storage facility which she plans on getting. It's just that she's been working and also one of my birbs has been ill since mid-May. A lot of different things going on that has added to the stress, but thankfully we have seen less bugs than when I made this thread.

I am going to start a new thread specifically about my ill birb because I may need some other parronts' opinions.

Thank you guys again for your support! It means a lot!

I am closing the thread by request of the OP
I'm glad things are working out well