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Show I Miscellaneous PageBl The Summit County Bee January 26, 2007 Ask a Specialist: Do You Have Tips To Avoid Disease When Feeding Birds? ANSWER BY: TERRY MESSMER USU Extension Wildlife Specialist „ . - , ,~ r r L. , One ot ihc main risks ot feeding ,. , . . ., ... .. r birds is the possibility of spreading disease. However, the popularity of things you can do to reduce disease ihc practice continues to grow in our risks, while maximizing the viewing rapidlyJ urbanizing environment. If opportunities. It seems almost daily ^ . „ , . , . , , , . . . . • , you enioy we hear about disease being rspread J J J feeding & birds, there are ° & For All W . . Training Center UjD OS r> . 1 FREE Uniform UP! inter opecials: Sign witk up for 3 months 866-74O-7O95 and get tke fourth FRTTJ Now Serving 3 Locations: /Coalville by birds and the possible transmission to humans and other animals. Research suggests that improperly maintained feeders can spread disease. However, we do not know if the risk for disease transmission is any higher at feeders than in the wild. In general, birds that contract and spread diseases at feeders tend to be more social than others, so they would naturally congregate in the wild. According to the National Wildlife Health Center, there are Five diseases that affect birds that visit bird feeders. The diseases are salmonellosis, aspergillosis, avian pox, trichomonias and mycopalmosis. All these diseases can lead to bird deaths, either directly or indirectly, by making the bird more vulnerable to predators. For more information about these diseases, visit http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/diseases/songbird-diseases.php. Consider these preventive measures to keep birds healthy and lessen the chance of spreading diseases from your bird feeder. • Give them space. Avoid crowding at bird feeders by providing ample feeders. • Clean up waste. Keep the feeder area clean of waste food and droppings. A broom and shovel work well, but a wet/dry vacuum is better. • Make feeders physically safe. Use feeders with rounded comers. Feeders with sharp edges may cut birds, allowing an opening for bacteria to infect otherwise healthy birds. • Keep feeders clean. Clean and disinfect feeders regularly. Use one part of liquid chlorine bleach in nine parts of warm water. Make enough solution to immerse empty feeders completely for two to three minutes. Allow the feeder to air dry. This should be done at least once a month. • Use quality food. Discard food that smells musty, is wet, looks old or has fungus growing on it. Clean and disinfect storage containers or scoops that were used for feed. • Prevent contamination. Keep rodents and pets out of stored food. Rodents can carry and spread some bird diseases without being affected themselves. • Spread the word. Tell your bird-feeding neighbors and friends about the risks. Since birds may use several feeders in a neighborhood, your feeder may not be safe until your neighbors feeder is safe. Once you start feeding, chances are good that the birds that visit your feeding station will be regular visitors. However, should you take a trip and your feeders go empty, your regular visitors will not starve. Birds are opportunistic and will search for food elsewhere. However, if you leave town for awhile and adverse weather sets in, have a neighbor or friend watch your feeders to reduce the stress on your bird guests. Follow these precautions and you and your birds will continue to enjoy your bird-feeding efforts. Contact Terry Messmer, USU Extension Wildlife Specialist at tcrrym@ext.usu.edu for further information. V iM?it & J e a n s 472 N. Main • Heber City Blowout £r 654-3054 I'M Store Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. — Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. wmm Western Durango Brand Boot Sale Western & Casual Styles i. $ioo Values to $14000 •AH Leather AH Leather Style # RD Style # TR760, TR762, TR763 ens ee Ladies' Levis 501 Prewashed Jeans Blue • Black • Stonewashed Levis 5725 7-; i-vlV: 505 k 550 Prewashed Jeans Wran^er Men's Men's rLX ComforUSeries i\ Prewashed & Gold Buckle (h /) ^« Stonewashed Cowboy Cut y*J Men's Twenty X Jeans $ 2 6 * Assorted Cruel Jeans Style XT4005 •Limited to Stock on hand* |