It's time to take down your bird feeders because of bird flu

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Blue jays are among the bird species infected with avian flu. As of the end of March, other species, nationwide, included American crow, bald eagle, red-tailed hawk, wild geese, many species of duck, black vulture, hooded merganser

Time to take down your bird feeders.

The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota is now recommending that people pause things that bring birds together in groups, like bird feeders.

"This would be for the next couple of months, until avian flu in wildlife decreases," Dr. Victoria Hall, executive director of the Raptor Center, said in an e-mail announcement.

"It's just not worth the risk when there are so many unknowns about the role songbirds might play during this unprecedented outbreak," she said.

The center had earlier thought that precaution was not necessary. But the center has seen unprecedented outbreaks involving raptors as the bird flu situation continues to evolve.

Now would be a good time to clean your bird feeders so they're ready when it's OK to rehang them.

https://www.startribune.com/time-to-take-down-your-bird-feeders-because-of-bird-flu-concerns/600164910/

[viva la]

1. And be careful washing the bird feeders

Some avian flus can transfer to humans.

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2. How are they supposed to be washed?

[viva la]

4. I don't know how others do it. I use a sprayer on the lawn hose--

I first drop the whole contraption into a bucket filled with warm water, hand soap or dish detergent, and just a little bit of bleach (like a quarter cup), let it stand for a bit, dump out the water (I kick it with my foot so I don't have to touch anything-- I do this on the driveway, not indoors, of course). Then I use the sprayer from about 6 feet away so I don't get splashed, and rinse it and the bucket thoroughly, and let it dry in the sun.

I notice that the packaging for the birdfeeder said you can put it in the dishwasher. But... no.

[Lochloosa]

5. You should never mix bleach with other cleaners.

https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/healthy-home/home-contaminants/dangers-mixing-bleach-cleaners#:~:text=Don't%20mix%20bleach%20with,before%20using%20a%20cleaning%20product.

Don't mix bleach with ammonia, acids, or other cleaners. Mixing bleach with common cleaning products can cause serious injuries. Be sure to always read the product label before using a cleaning product.

[Emile]

3. This is the time of year Canadian geese use my farm pond as a cheap motel.

For some reason they like my small pond for their breeding ceremony. I will be extra careful avoiding their droppings in my yard.

[Cracklin Charlie]

6. I have some at the pond down the street.

I call them the traffic cops. Huge, bossy creatures. They are always stopping traffic to cross the street. I think they’re on the nest somewhere nearby.