Humidifying through the winter...

[mizbirdy]

I think I'll try Outlaw's idea with the crock pot with water & lemon slices & cinnamon sticks. I've got a crock pot that hardly gets used so this would be the perfect way to use it!!

[Vega]

I use a Vics Vaporizor.(without the Vics) It was $18 at CVS.Typically I can run it for a day or two before having to refill it. I rinse the top out every-other day (little black things come out, I think it's some type of a chemical deposit from the water) Once a month I run it with a vinegar/water mix.

I have to add that while sharing a room with them last winter, I loved sleeping with the humidifier on!

[MustardMan]

Be careful with humidifyers, as many of them can get mold inside pretty easily. I used to have a "cool mist" humidifyer, which was basically a fan that blows through a big mesh of absorbent material. The material wicks up water from a tray and then the air passing over it absorbs moisture. These things SUCK!! The material gets all nasty and black with mold and mildew and starts to stink.

The only humidifyer I'd ever consider buying is either the hot mist vaporizers, where the heat helps kill baddies in the water, or an ULTRASONIC cold mister. The ultrasonic misters don't use that awful spongy material that other cold misters use, and don't have such bad problems with mold.

Also, please be careful with fountains too. There are lots of little cracks and crevices where molds and algae can grow and turn the water really nasty. I used to have a bamboo spout fountain in my living room, and my cats and dogs were throwing up all the time. I found out that they were drinking from the fountain, and once I got rid of it, they stopped barfing all over my carpets.

[Lisa B]

For the people who have wood stoves,they can put a pot of water or a tea kettle on there. If its a pot, make sure its covered...and NOT TEFLON or TEFLON LIKE
We have fish tanks..huge tanks...
I too think I'm gunna try Nancy's idea of the crock pot,(in the kitchen ) since I have one and use it often. It might make the place smell nice!

I never used a humidifier because Greys and Amazons are more likely to come down with Aspergillosis because of thier vocal use. Having two bouts of Asper in my 30 years....thats more then enough for me to be overly protective and careful....


As far as Ollie being near plants..I AM NOT a plant person..I kill everything...I was told some soils mold? anyone know if this is true? If so, I wouldnt put Ollie toooo close because of Asper.

[svolk]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

As far as Ollie being near plants..I AM NOT a plant person..I kill everything...I was told some soils mold? anyone know if this is true? If so, I wouldnt put Ollie toooo close because of Asper.

I am not a plant person either because I am a perpetual over-waterer and have killed all plants in my care But I did have a plant at work and I was apparently over-watering and yes, it did mold

[Valo's Moirana]

wrt to the mold in plant pots - it is good practice to re-pot indoor plants regulary (i do it about 2x a year). in addition, keeping the plants somewhat short on water helps to prevent mold.

lisa - you have fishtanks? what kind? i have a 55gal tropical freshwater and have some issues with some of the chiclids. do you have experience with them?

[BirdFace]

Yes the "cool mist" type can get nasty in a hurry, that's why I use a capful of bacteriostat (I think that's how you spell it) in the tank at every other fill. No more smell or mildew. Hope it's safe for the bird. Anybody know?

Also have a Venta Airwasher that uses a rotating drum to bring moisture up to the surface near the fan. The drum is plastic, fairly easy to clean, and doesn't have the problems like the conventional cool mist humidifiers.

Outlaw, thanks for the crock pot idea. Will definitely try the cinnamon and lemon.

[Valo's Moirana]

Originally Posted by BirdFace

Yes the "cool mist" type can get nasty in a hurry, that's why I use a capful of bacteriostat (I think that's how you spell it) in the tank at every other fill. No more smell or mildew. Hope it's safe for the bird. Anybody know?

depends on whether it becomes airbourne... i know that silver is often used in the research field to keep things sterile, but i doubt that that's what's in your stuff since it sure isn't good for humans if ingested. but it does not become airbourne - what's in that stuff?

[cfulhage]

Well my plants are definitely not over watered! I've killed so many plants by forgetting to water them. They usually sit there and get limp and brown before I remember to pour some water in!

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by Valo's Moirana

lisa - you have fishtanks? what kind? i have a 55gal tropical freshwater and have some issues with some of the chiclids. do you have experience with them?

we have salt water coral tanks, tho, my hubby is familiar with chiclids....if ya write down your consern, I will fw them to him to answer
He's the fish guy...I'm the crazy bird lady