The Importance of Indoor Air for Parrots

The quality of the air we breathe in our homes, where we spend at least 12 hours a day, is very important for our physical and mental activities to be healthy. It is clear that our parrots will be more affected by the indoor air, as parrots have organ systems adapted to living in open air conditions by nature.

The most polluted air is indoor air. Contamination comes from the materials used in the construction of the building or the toxic substances from the tools and equipment used in daily life.

The main pests that cause indoor air pollution for parrots and humans are humidity, various biological substances (mildew, dust mites), combustion products such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde emitted from household items, radon, radioactive gases originating from the soil or rocks in the foundation or around the building, furnishings in the house. , asbestos, lead, particles from the furnace, incense from burning wood, kerosene, heaters, tobacco smoke, dust, pollen, are by-products leaking from newly bought materials.

The Importance of Indoor Air for Parrots Living at Home

Since parrots are not in contact with almost any of these harmful substances in their natural environment, their bodies have not developed a biological adaptation mechanism against them.

The gases originating from the tools and equipment used in the houses as a necessity of life cause the odor called the unique house smell at the first entrance to the houses. Short-term contact of living creatures with these gases causes headache, nausea, startle in eyes, nose and throat, sleepiness, weakness, concentration disorder and death due to brain damage. Unhealthy home air is understood by the presence of mold, stuffiness or other unusual heavy odors. In short, if the outdoor air feels significantly better than the indoor air, it means that the air inside the house is polluted.

The use of airtight materials to prevent heat loss in homes provides heat savings in buildings, while humidity increases above 37-55% due to poor ventilation, increasing mold production. The air inside the home quickly becomes polluted and health bills rise.

Clean Air is a Must for Healthy Parrots!

Birds detect toxic gases in the home air long before we notice them. The health of the birds is badly affected.

Health problems such as allergies, asthma, sinus problems, respiratory tract problems, chemical sensitivity, pneumonitis, cancer, chronic infertility and aspergillosis are encountered in houses with unhealthy air.

Although aspergillosis is known as a disease that occurs in parrots kept in bird breeding or crowded in zoos, it also occurs in parrots kept at home today. Aspergillosis fungi grow on bathroom walls with high humidity and on ceilings with leaking roofs.

Respiratory tract problems have increased rapidly in parrots, as in humans, in recent years. It is caused by mold spores that reproduce in heating systems and humid areas in the house, ventilating with the heat and being present in the house air.

Harmful factors that may occur in the indoor environment;

• Aspergillus mold that breeds in damp areas of homes
• Toxic gas produced by heating Teflon pan(s)
• tobacco smoke
• Residues of substances used to disinfect cage materials
• Perfumes, deodorants and cleaning agents
• Formaldehyde released into the environment from cabinets, panels and some furniture made of wood shavings and fiber used in homes in the 70s and 80s.
• Carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas emitted from household ovens and other heaters
• Smoke from any burning object in the house
• Tetrachloroethylene, which is spread to the environment at the first time from dry-cleaned clothes
• Moth-repellent tablets, toilet disinfectants and deodorants.

Improvement of indoor air;

• Filters of heaters and air conditioners should be renewed at least once a month.
• In order to reduce the formation of mold, ventilation should not be operated during bathing.
• Humidifiers, air conditioners and refrigerators should be cleaned once a month.
• Distilled or demineralized water should be placed in humidifiers. Adding a few drops of grapefruit seed extract to the water prevents mold growth.
• You should not smoke indoors, and you should not let smokers touch your parrot.
• New rugs, curtains, furniture and dry-cleaned clothes should be thoroughly dried in the open air before being taken home.
• Mold growth environment in the house should be prevented by repairing the water drainage gutters on the roof of the house.
• All fuel devices must be serviced.
• Dust mites should be reduced by washing bedding materials with hot water.
• Clothes from dry cleaning should be removed and ventilated in the open air.
• The indoor air should be refreshed by installing a ventilator system at home.
• Pesticides, paints and paint putties should be stored outside the home and in metal containers.
• The vehicle should not be started with the garage door closed.
• For those living in homes painted with lead-containing paints, the risk of getting lead from water sources should always be considered.
• Cactus and other succulent plants that require less water should be grown to prevent mold growth in garden soil.
• The quality of room air should be increased with air cleaners.
• Floors should be covered with other materials other than ceramics, wood or carpet.
• Parrots and other pets to be carpeted should be taken to another room. The new carpet should be ventilated outside for a while and wait until the smell is not felt. Carpets should be attached with nails rather than glue. After the carpet is placed, the room should be ventilated and the fans should be operated for 2-3 days to allow the air to flow out. If adhesive is to be used, healthy adhesives should be used. Carpets should not be cleaned annually using a wet vacuum system and deep cleaning should be done on the carpets.
• If a poisoning due to carpets is thought, the carpets should be taken out as a first precaution for the health of the household and the parrot.