- Jan 19, 2014
- 14,233
- 190
- Parrots
-
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
I don't expect to necessarily get advice from any chemists here, but that would be nice . I just thought I'd run this across the forum in case anyone might have some information. It seems difficult to find the answer on the internet.
As the title says, making poison residue inert... (Ant spray, weed killer) I know, the first answer would be, "use only pet safe products!!" And believe me I would if it was just ME who was in control of that!
Let me explain a little. As the weather warms up (and yes it is believe it or not nearly 90 Fahrenheit lately out here ugh), we and I think our whole neighborhood, starts to get ants in warm or hot weather. Wasn't like this year's ago.. Somehow the ants thought our area would be a perfect place to establish their colony .
My elderly dad who suffers from Alzheimer's insists on using poison granules wherever he sees ants... The logical thing to tell me is to not let him use it, right? Well not only would he throw a fit, but my eyes can't be on him literally 24/7, and he will use it when I'm not watching, and I see evidence of it around the sink later.
Then hubby is almost as bad, he gets so fed up with seeing ants in the shower too (although it gets cleaned all the time!) we think that bathroom is their port of entry through the walls somehow? We have tried and tried last summer with pet safe orange oil spray and other "pet safe pest killers" but they do NOT work! At least not on ants. Don says that's it I'm spraying real pesticide! Last summer he used it once, and I have to admit it... it DID work wonderfully for some time! He says that because we use the shower, the poison will get washed off the surfaces.
SO... I do take extra precautions when preparing bird food and water in the kitchen. Just in case I don't know if poison was used. Daily, (even days or months when I don't have to) I put a huge paper towel 'tarp' down on the counter. Nothing the birds touch comes in contact with any kitchen surfaces.
The shower too is a problem. I'd rather stick them under the shower head for a bath rather than spray in the room and get everything all wet and or humid in there. I worry when they leap off my hand (cause they hate baths) and if they should land on a surface with poison residue. Last year, after about a week I felt the residue was gone, and it wasn't a problem, they probably get no more residue ppm than eating non-organic veggies :54:. Anyway, I'm just thinking ahead for 'other options' and preparing.
I have pretty much thought of all possible solutions and or precautions at this time, unless someone has a suggestion I might not have thought of. So now I'm wondering if by chance anyone knows of an ingredient that I can clean up any leftover residue with that should make pesticides inert...
I figure it's a long shot to ask... Anyone know of anything?? Thanks...
As the title says, making poison residue inert... (Ant spray, weed killer) I know, the first answer would be, "use only pet safe products!!" And believe me I would if it was just ME who was in control of that!
Let me explain a little. As the weather warms up (and yes it is believe it or not nearly 90 Fahrenheit lately out here ugh), we and I think our whole neighborhood, starts to get ants in warm or hot weather. Wasn't like this year's ago.. Somehow the ants thought our area would be a perfect place to establish their colony .
My elderly dad who suffers from Alzheimer's insists on using poison granules wherever he sees ants... The logical thing to tell me is to not let him use it, right? Well not only would he throw a fit, but my eyes can't be on him literally 24/7, and he will use it when I'm not watching, and I see evidence of it around the sink later.
Then hubby is almost as bad, he gets so fed up with seeing ants in the shower too (although it gets cleaned all the time!) we think that bathroom is their port of entry through the walls somehow? We have tried and tried last summer with pet safe orange oil spray and other "pet safe pest killers" but they do NOT work! At least not on ants. Don says that's it I'm spraying real pesticide! Last summer he used it once, and I have to admit it... it DID work wonderfully for some time! He says that because we use the shower, the poison will get washed off the surfaces.
SO... I do take extra precautions when preparing bird food and water in the kitchen. Just in case I don't know if poison was used. Daily, (even days or months when I don't have to) I put a huge paper towel 'tarp' down on the counter. Nothing the birds touch comes in contact with any kitchen surfaces.
The shower too is a problem. I'd rather stick them under the shower head for a bath rather than spray in the room and get everything all wet and or humid in there. I worry when they leap off my hand (cause they hate baths) and if they should land on a surface with poison residue. Last year, after about a week I felt the residue was gone, and it wasn't a problem, they probably get no more residue ppm than eating non-organic veggies :54:. Anyway, I'm just thinking ahead for 'other options' and preparing.
I have pretty much thought of all possible solutions and or precautions at this time, unless someone has a suggestion I might not have thought of. So now I'm wondering if by chance anyone knows of an ingredient that I can clean up any leftover residue with that should make pesticides inert...
I figure it's a long shot to ask... Anyone know of anything?? Thanks...