mold or mildew

[Pharoh]

Hello,
I have built an outdoor enclosure for my U2 and I have a sisal rope twirly perch and some sisal rope through out the enclosure for my parrot to clime around on. and today i have noticed its turning black from where it has gotten wet. you kno like mildew is on it. is it still safe for my parrot to clime on. or should i remove it from the enclosure. is it possible i can bleach it then rinse it well and put it back in the enclosure?

[Winged_Victory]

Originally Posted by Pharoh

Hello,
I have built an outdoor enclosure for my U2 and I have a sisal rope twirly perch and some sisal rope through out the enclosure for my parrot to clime around on. and today i have noticed its turning black from where it has gotten wet. you kno like mildew is on it. is it still safe for my parrot to clime on. or should i remove it from the enclosure. is it possible i can bleach it then rinse it well and put it back in the enclosure?

Mold spores lead to a disease called Aspergillosis, which is very hard to get rid of once your bird has it. I have attached a link for you to review on this.

The rope will be fine if you soak it in bleach and rinse well, dry in the sun. I would probably throw the rope away and get another.

http://www.holisticbird.org/heal/respiratory.htm

Gary

[The Outlaw]

Mildew is a common problem with anything organic around birds. I would take the rope down and launder it using lots of bleach and a good detergent and allow it to dry in the sun. I wouldn't be concerned about reusing it once it was totally dry. YOu should get into the habit of routinely laundering and cleaning, with bleach, all of your perches whereever they are.

[KimBear]

Please allow me time to respond to people's posts on this forum!

When I checked this board on Monday, this question had not been posted yet, and due to some appointments yesterday, I wasn't able to log on. Often it is days, sometimes a week or more, between questions but as soon as something is up here, someone else often jumps in as if I'm not going to respond.

I'm sorry if there's sometimes a day or two before I can answer, but I don't think it's an unreasonable delay.

Thanks,
Kim

When using bleach on porus substances like rope, it is not completely effective. Plus, anytime you use bleach to disinfect, the surface should be completely clean first. Bleach is less effective in the presence of organic matter.

Wash toys, perches, etc. in very hot water and soap and rinse well. Then soak in a solution of bleach water, about 1 Tablespoon per gallon. Rinse and dry well. Drying in the sun is fine as long as you turn the object over once in a while to avoid damp spots.

Any rope toy or perch should be replaced once it starts to become too frayed. It's too easy for a parrot to get a piece wrapped around his toe.

Sisal can be purchased in bulk rolls so you can make your own toys and perches to help keep replacement costs down. Just braid several strands together to make larger diameter perches.