Nibble deterrant for cables, corners, cage etc

[nibbler]

Sorry if this has been covered previously. I tried using the search of the forum using words such as deter, deterrent, chew, chewing, prevent but couldnt find anything in the listed threads.

Iv been browsing google for some time looking for bird derrent sprays, but most of the recipes are for farms and wild birds rather than nibble deterrents in the home.

Our house has 5 TVs, 4 laptops, 2 computers, aswell as ps3, ps4 etc and all have cables, whether its a phone charger, a power board, modem cable or a lamp...everywhere i look i see cables and i would like to take some preventative measures to ensure our bird (who is only 10 weeks old but very keen to explore) learns that these items are of no interest, and i figure a taste deterrent seems the best option as covering every cable from plug in to device isnt suitable for us.

Reading up iv read bitter apple spray is referenced alot, but my local pet store in australia has never heard of it... I also noticed the version which is for dogs and puppies cannot be used for birds, so im hesitant in re-creating the DIY bitter apple spray as i dont want to give the bird anything toxic.

I dont think putting anything spicy on the cables is always a good idea, as once i did this on our rug so our puppy would stop chewing, poor puppy cried for half an hour, and i dont want to bird to suffer for 15-30min after investigating.

Does anyone know if apple cider vinegar is a safe deterrent? Has anyone used Listerine mouthwash?

 

[MonicaMc]

I would say that there are no good mouth deterrents. Anything you use the bird could find tasty or could be toxic to the bird. This includes bitter apple spray - some birds like the flavor!


Your best bet with cables is to cover them with something like PVC pipe, rubber or plastic cable protectors or similar.

 

[Aquila]

Cable protectors like these
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/UT-Wire-UTW-FCW12-BK-12-Feet-Flexi/dp/B00D1KXGT8/ref=pd_sim_199_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=41TiP6E%2BGhL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=185PHN2V6J4A7FVE61AW]UT Wire UTW-FCW12-BK 12-Feet Flexi Cable Wrap, Black - Cable Ties - Amazon.com[/ame]

Or at any home improvement store you should be able to find flexible tubing. Maybe pick a color so it blends in with the wall or the carpet.

 

[Mallory]

I completely agree with the above! Prevent the bird from ever being able to put its beak on cables. The options to cover cables are relatively expensive and not all are completely bird proof but these at least give you time to get your bird away from the cables. Another huge point no one has mentioned yet is supervision. Especially now while your parrot is young and extremely curious, please supervise his interactions with the world and make sure he never gets into dangerous situations. In my home, personally, all cables are away from my birds' cages and playstands and when I am using a laptop etc. I am there to supervise my birds or the item is put out of their reach. I would not feel comfortable trusting a taste deterrent to keep my birds from electrocuting themselves, especially when there are better solutions.

 

[ToMang07]

This includes bitter apple spray - some birds like the flavor!

Mine did.

 

[SilverSage]

Agreed, go with physical barriers, supervision, and training rather than flavor of any sort.

 

[Mimsy01]

Look up spit loom. You can get it at auto part shops, it's really cheap. It's for covering wire. It comes in different diameters. Larger ones you can put a bundle of cords there and there is really small ones for just a single cord. It's made of pvc type material. I have a bunny so all the cords in our house have them.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006YE06UU?psc=1"]http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006YE06UU?psc=1[/ame]

 

[SailBoat]

Use distraction - toys, toys and more toys to keep your parrot(s) busy else wear.

Spit loom is a great tool to provide just enough material between the beak and the wire for you to catch your busy beak and move him on to something else. By design, it is flexible and will give way to a determined beak.

Long term protection would be conduit, either poly, metal or flex case. Remember not to mix your communication wire with power wires in the same loom or conduit. Power wires will cause drop-outs in your communication devises, this is especially true when your household voltage is 220 VAC. 220 VAC is common outside on North America. However, even 120 VAC, which is common in North America will result in drop-outs.

NOTE: Inspect your power wires for breaks that could ark and cause a fire. Any number of household pets, etc..., including age, load and kinks can result in the failure of the coating. Over loaded power cords are a common cause of household fires. Ensure that the power cords that are placed in a loom or conduit are limited to the rating of the cord. Not sure, hold the power cord under a full load condition, any warmth is a sign of overload.

 

[nibbler]

Taste deterrants for cables, wood benches etc

Hi everyone,

I know in the USA you have a product called "Bitter apple spray" which is used as a bird safe taste deterrant. We dont have this product in Australia so i looked up a DIY recipe and noticed the main ingredient is apple cider vinegar, so with some papertowel and small bowl of AC Vinegar i start coating the cables near the tv and modem area, while doing this, my alexandrine nibbler lands on the bowl and has a taste of the vinegar, then comes over to me and starts chewing the paper towel with the vinegar on it, and then tries to drink it from the bowl... clearly i have just coated the cables in something nibbler enjoys.

Whats another safe/natural deterrant for taste deterring birds, i read soap detergent, but this was from an American poster, and im not sure if the ingredients in soaps / detergents worldwide are the same, or brands for that matter and it all depends on the brand of soap/dish detergent used as to its ingredients.... all the products i find on the net are for wild birds and cause irritation etc and i dont want nibbler to consume anything harmful.

I read listerine? but it has a few extra ingredients which i have no idea whether its toxic to birds, and obviously dont want to "trial" it at the cost of nibblers life.Also i looked up peppermint oil and apparently birds like peppermint?

so besides spicy chili/pepper does anyone have alternatives i can try out that they know is safe. Im guessing each bird will be different (as i read a post from the forums that another persons parrot loves chillis lmao so i guess ill have to try a few things out but would love some suggestions.

The products iv considered (please let me know if any of them are potentially dangerous)

Apple cider vinegar
vicks vapour rub
Listerine
toothpaste
Dish detergent
Neem Soap (for plants) ?
wusabi
onion


Thank you in advance

 

[Aquila]

Re: Taste deterrants for cables, wood benches etc

They should sell the same stuff in Australia, I'm not sure what the difference is between the bird and the dog/cat version, I'd contact them.

I'd advise against most of the things that you listed as they could be potentially toxic.

I'd cover the cables with something hard (check hardware stores or office supply stores) for cable covers, or use PVC, or flexible tubing found in the plumbing section of a hardware store, which you can thread the cables through. A hard barrier is more effective than just a taste or smell deterrent.

 

[Flboy]

Re: Taste deterrants for cables, wood benches etc

FYI, some birds like the Bitter Apple spray!

 

[chris-md]

Re: Taste deterrants for cables, wood benches etc

My bird hates cinnamon. If I get to a point I need a deterrent I intend to dust with cinnamon to see how effective that would be.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Nibbler, you had asked the same question on November 1st, so I combined / merged your 'new' thread with the old one.

Please do NOT use any deterrents. The risk of your bird ingesting a toxic substance would be much too great.