Why you need to clean up your bird feeder and bath right now

The idyllic start of the spring morning is awakening to the sun shining and the birds singing. Unfortunately, this year we may have to make some compromises on the latter. Report of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention As of April 19, more than 30 million cases of bird flu have been detected in aquatic birds, commercial poultry, and backyard herds, spanning at least 31. state. For this reason, health authorities in several states are asking people to take down bird feeders and baths and play their part in stopping the spread.

Dr. Victoria Hall, University of Minnesota Raptor Center “This action not only helps protect the beautiful feathered creatures that visit your garden, but also helps all wild bird species that are already difficult for this spring. [the highly pathogenic avian influenza].. “

This is not the first time in the United States that we have been infected with bird flu. Between 2014 and 2015, an estimated 51 million birds were depopulated to control the spread of the disease. This relapse cost an estimated $ 3 billion to the poultry and egg industry, leading to a $ 1 billion allocation in Congress in 2017 to combat future bird flu outbreaks.

If you’re wondering what you can do to help other than take your bird feeder and bath down The Illinois Department of Natural Resources recommends that::

• Rinse and rinse the bird feeder and bath with diluted bleach solution (9 parts water and 1 part bleach), and if you cannot leave the bird, clean or clean it weekly.
• Remove bird seeds at the bottom of bird feeders to discourage large collections of birds and other wildlife.
• Avoid feeding wild birds near herds of livestock.

So how long do you have to wait until you can replace the bird feeder? There is no definitive answer yet, but experts are optimistic.

“We can take short-term actions so we don’t accidentally help spread the virus.” Hall is writing.. “This outbreak will not last forever. I am very much looking forward to the time when the bird feeder can be safely restored.”

So this summer, the backyard may be quiet, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In the meantime, think of this as an opportunity to finally go to a local bird reserve where you are always talking about visiting.