Gnats and Mosquitoes

[apatrimo94]

OK, as most of you probably know, I'm leaving for vacation to go camping in Maine in a few weeks. And S'mores is coming along with me. I'm doing much research and making many preparations in case of an emergency. I even I have the number of an avian vet near the beach resort I'm staying at. I just recently read an article in my bird magazine that gnats and mosquitoes are really not good for birds and might be deadly. But I'm not to sure about this fact. I just want to make sure it's going to be a safe environment for her there since we are going to be in a wooded area along the shore of a lake with gnats and mosquitoes. What do you guys think? I just want to make sure she can't be out at night because that's when the majority of them come out if they are deadly. Too bad though, I wanted her to see our campfires

 

[Aussie Ben]

Good thread! I'd love to know more about this myself. I put my birds outside a lot. Eddie also lives out there sometimes and I have found it very hard to find any specific information on mosquitoes and parrots.

 

[SharonC]

I wonder if West Nile Virus is a factor?

 

[Aussie Ben]

I wonder if West Nile Virus is a factor?

Actually, that is one thing I did manage to find some info about. Here is one link: Winged Wisdom Pet Bird Magazine - An Overview of the West Nile Virus

 

[antoinette]

Ap, you are a star, having the number of the avian vet before hand.
Great you are seeking advise about the gnats and mosquitoes.
One thing I learnt here on the forum, never place a mosquito repellent machine, in the same room as a bird.
Browsed the net, not much there, will continue the search for you

 

[apatrimo94]

Thanks for the tips guys and good link there AB!!! I'm just taking a few precautions. In my article, I read that in Louisiana, there were quite a few parrot deaths and their COD was infectious dieases transmitted from the bite of a gnat or mosquito.

And thanks Antoinette! Always good to make preparations. That way I can save myself from heartache if anything bad happened and I couldn't do anything. That's pretty much every bird owner's nightmare!

 

[Birdamor]

I would make sure the bird stays inside all the time. Mosquitoes transmit disease and parasites and no warm-blooded animal is safe from them so why risk it?

 

[apatrimo94]

I don't know, I would love for her to see around the camp, go to the aracade, and sit on the beach with me. If it's that serious, then I'm not sure what to do now. I mean, it's only at night they come out, so it should be safe to bring her out during the day.

 

[Aussie Ben]

I don't know, I would love for her to see around the camp, go to the aracade, and sit on the beach with me. If it's that serious, then I'm not sure what to do now. I mean, it's only at night they come out, so it should be safe to bring her out during the day.

S'mores would love it! When you get there just do a good sweep of the area, look for small puddles of still water in pots, holes, drains etc, where Mozzies breed. The high part of the day should be fine, but once the evening comes, I would take S'mores inside. Maybe if your real worried, buy a piece of Mozzie netting to put over her cage at night. I'm sure it will be fine if you just use common sense, which you seem to have plenty of

 

[apatrimo94]

Yeah, I actually already bought a Mozzie net a few weeks ago. Got it at Dick's Sporting Goods for less than $20. I'm too prepared! LOL! It was just a matter of wondering if she could have some out of cage time. And yeah, I'll have her our, but as soon as it starts to get dark, in the cage, inside the trailer, with the mosquito net over her cage.

 

[Aussie Ben]

It was just a matter of her having some out of cage time.

Should be fine in the middle of the day, Just keep a keen eye.

 

[SharonC]

AP...Is there anything you don't think of? I know a sentence shoudn't end in a preposition, but honestly, Is there anything of which you don't think? sounded a tad stuffy!

 

[apatrimo94]

AP...Is there anything you don't think of? I know a sentence shoudn't end in a preposition, but honestly, Is there anything of which you don't think? sounded a tad stuffy!

LOL! Sharon, I've been planning and preparing for this for a couple weeks. I thought of everything that could possibly happen. The good stuff and the bad stuff. I even have planned with what happens if a raccoon comes nearby. She has her own suitcase with all of her supplies, everything possibly needed. I don't know what I'd do if something ever happened to her.

 

[Birdamor]

My dear, I can see that I am in the very minority here but I would suggest not taking her camping and much less letting her out of her cage, even if it is in the middle of the day. What if she gets spooked and flies off? You will be in the woods, a completely unfamiliar environment for her and very, very dangerous and racoons are not the only predators out there... I mean, a hawk can swoop down and grab her in a split second! Haven't you seen that video they have of the trainer and the parrot doing some kind of an outdoor performance or something and the hawk or whatever it was coming down and grabbing it?

 

[apatrimo94]

My dear, I can see that I am in the very minority here but I would suggest not taking her camping and much less letting her out of her cage, even if it is in the middle of the day. What if she gets spooked and flies off? You will be in the woods, a completely unfamiliar environment for her and very, very dangerous and racoons are not the only predators out there... I mean, a hawk can swoop down and grab her in a split second! Haven't you seen that video they have of the trainer and the parrot doing some kind of an outdoor performance or something and the hawk or whatever it was coming down and grabbing it?

Birdamor, I don't want you to feel like I'm not listening to you at all. And I respect your terms and advice. But then, our trailer, will be on the beach. The woods are behind us (we never go in there). I'm not really afraid of her flying off. I take her outside everyday, no matter where. She's been in many different environments, buildings, woods, beach, city streets, etc. I trust her to sit on my shoulder. I really want her to come with me on this trip because 1-She loves road trips and 2-She's sort of been camping before. As for the hawk, I already have prepped down on what to do if there's a hawk nearby, which is to go right back in her carrier which I will have with me at all times. I don't want to disrespect you, and I do love my birds so much. As for the video, I can't find it? Do you know where I can find it?

 

[Beilana]

Great thread Ap!!! I have been wondering about this myself for quite sometime. Another thing I was wondering is are mosquito's present in a parrots natural habitat??? I would think they are....

 

[Bobby34231]

Heres a link to the video I believe Birdamor is refering to....

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikDpYwDKQ_A]YouTube - Bird of Prey Attacks Cockatoo[/ame]

 

[Beilana]

Wow that video is CRAZY!!! Poor Scooter--and the handler! I hope they were both ok.

 

[Bobby34231]

There are more versions of that video, I chose that one because it contained less attached advertising, in another version it shows the trainer in the end expalining her ordeal, she went on to say though she was shaken, neither her or Scooter were seriously injured, just a small gash on the back of her head, and since the incident Scooter has never given her any trouble at any of their shows and that he must have realized what she did for him, because they have now closely bonded

 

[Beilana]

There are more versions of that video, I chose that one because it contained less attached advertising, in another version it shows the trainer in the end expalining her ordeal, she went on to say though she was shaken, neither her or Scooter were seriously injured, just a small gash on the back of her head, and since the incident Scooter has never given her any trouble at any of their shows and that he must have realized what she did for him, because they have now closely bonded

Thanks! I'm going to look it up. I'm so happy they were both ok.

That's cute that they bonded after the ordeal. Scooter is probably eternally grateful. The woman basically risked her neck to save him!