Candles ???

[Jcnbarb4RN]

I was talking to a friend that has owned birds for many years and she was telling me that burning candles is not good for the birds because their lungs are so small. Can you burn candles if they aren't near the birds? I have candles and love to burn them, but won't anymore if it's harmful to my babies!

Barb

[svolk]

Burning candles is indeed harmful to birds. I'm not sure how close/far in proximity the candles need to be to cause harm, but I've banned all candles from my house. I used to burn them as well, but I don't take the risk anymore.

[Jcnbarb4RN]

Thanks for the insight on candles. Guess I will have to go with airfreshners for the smells. He He!! It's definitely not worth harming my babies!

[svolk]

Be careful with air fresheners too, certain scented kinds of those are bad too (the list of bird no-no's is quite long ). Anything aerosol is bad but I also think that some plug-in kinds are bad too, if I remember correctly. There are some ideas on here how to air freshen naturally, like gently heating lemon juice and cinnamon sticks in a crock pot.

[kp_in_scott]

No candles used here either. As for smells, I just try to keep the house clean and odors undercontrol that way. Fabreeze is another no no, that I hated to part with, but I did.

[Jcnbarb4RN]

I can go the poturi pot route! I care way too much about my birds to do harm to them! I have plug ins in the kitchen and it's no where near the birds. Does that hurt them?

Barb

[kristy29]

Haha, hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but be careful with pot pouri also. If it has any added scents, it is no good. The best kind is one you make yourself, that is just dried flowers and no additives.

Does anyone have a list of household objects that are bad for birds? If not, we need to make one!

[Jcnbarb4RN]

I love the cinnamon / apple smells. Are those bad?
Don't I sound like new bird owner?!?! LoL! I just want to ask as many questions as I can think of so I don't make a grave & dissppointing, heartbreaking mistake!

Barb

[Vega]

I parted with my candles while the birds and I were confined to the same room. Now I keep them on the second floor (with the door shut--heat purposes). At night, after they go to bed, I get my candle time on the first floor. I've read that natural bees-wax candles are ok--can someone confirm/deny that?

I've read those plug-ins are dangerous (fire hazard). Things like Fabreeze and canned freasheners are bad for our fids too.

[Monica]

If it's not natural, it shouldn't be around birds! You should be able to do a search for 'air freshener', or even 'natural air freshener'. In short though, here's some ideas!

All Natural Air Freshener
by Marilu Anderson, Bird Nutrition and Behavior Consultant
Phone: (503) 771-BIRD
If you like your house to smell nice, but don't want to use potentially toxic commercial air freshener sprays, here's a natural alternative that smells great & is totally bird safe. (Remember, scented candles, potpourri, incense & essential oils can all be potentially toxic to birds, as well).

Fill a small saucepan ½ full with water. Toss in a cinnamon stick, a Tb of cloves, tsp of rosemary, & slice of orange and/or lime (with peel).

Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for ½ hour or so. You can get creative by adding fresh grated ginger, fresh spearmint or peppermint leaves, or some nutmeg and allspice for variation. Your house will smell great & your birds will be safe! It's especially nice around the holidays. You can put it in a spray bottle & spritz the air, or leave the pan on the stove & add a little water, then re-simmer over the next few days to continue keeping your house sweet!

Taken from Winged Wisdom

• Set out a dish of cut lemons or baking soda to absorb odors.
• Simmer on the stovetop or in a slow cooker: water, slices of ginger, spices such as cinnamon, cloves, allspice, vanilla and almond extracts, and lemon and other citrus fruit slices to make your house smell fresh.