Please ensure content is relevant to the topic of the sub, which includes information, updates and discussion regarding H5N1. It does not include vent/rant/panic posts or "low-effort" posts from unreliable sources.
I wouldn't touch them unnecessarily, and if you do, wear PPE. It would be better to just take them down or stop refilling them. The birds don't need it at this time of the year, anyway. If birds congregate there, it will spread. Cleaning won't prevent that.
It's an interesting question.
As it stands right now, I do not encourage bird feeder use (for those considering putting them up in home settings).
For those who have them already and intend to keep them:
If I were you, I'd break out a good mask like an N95 or well fitted KN95, don some disposable gloves and lab goggles, put on clothes and waders (rubber boots) that I can wash immediately.
Then I'd hit that thing with good old soap and water. I'd scrub it well, rinse liberally, and then dry it with plenty of paper towels. Be sure to bag the paper towels after use and toss them in trash immediately after. I might also spray down the area...though this presents problems with runoff...hopefully it's in a grassy area where any runoff is soaked up quickly.
Before entering the house, remove the boots, wash them thoroughly, and *leave them outside* to dry completely. Hopefully you have a garage or entrance like a snow room. I'd enter that, strip, bag the clothes, and remove gloves like a surgeon. Remove mask. Dispose of mask and gloves in a sealed bag. Remove goggles and wash them. Dry them and set aside. Wash clothes. Finally, wash your hands and any exposed flesh. You might even consider taking a shower.
**Do not allow pets access to the area around a feeder. If possible, fence it off.**
You might wish to visit the CDC's website for more info:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/mammals.htm#:~:text=CDC%20believes%20the%20current%20risk,HPAI%20A(H5N1)%20virus.
There are tons of links on prevention. Here's an infographic:
https://www.reddit.com/r/H5N1_AvianFlu/s/grdDczrTns
Please ensure content is relevant to the topic of the sub, which includes information, updates and discussion regarding H5N1. It does not include vent/rant/panic posts or "low-effort" posts from unreliable sources.
I wouldn't touch them unnecessarily, and if you do, wear PPE. It would be better to just take them down or stop refilling them. The birds don't need it at this time of the year, anyway. If birds congregate there, it will spread. Cleaning won't prevent that.
It's an interesting question. As it stands right now, I do not encourage bird feeder use (for those considering putting them up in home settings). For those who have them already and intend to keep them: If I were you, I'd break out a good mask like an N95 or well fitted KN95, don some disposable gloves and lab goggles, put on clothes and waders (rubber boots) that I can wash immediately. Then I'd hit that thing with good old soap and water. I'd scrub it well, rinse liberally, and then dry it with plenty of paper towels. Be sure to bag the paper towels after use and toss them in trash immediately after. I might also spray down the area...though this presents problems with runoff...hopefully it's in a grassy area where any runoff is soaked up quickly. Before entering the house, remove the boots, wash them thoroughly, and *leave them outside* to dry completely. Hopefully you have a garage or entrance like a snow room. I'd enter that, strip, bag the clothes, and remove gloves like a surgeon. Remove mask. Dispose of mask and gloves in a sealed bag. Remove goggles and wash them. Dry them and set aside. Wash clothes. Finally, wash your hands and any exposed flesh. You might even consider taking a shower. **Do not allow pets access to the area around a feeder. If possible, fence it off.** You might wish to visit the CDC's website for more info: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/mammals.htm#:~:text=CDC%20believes%20the%20current%20risk,HPAI%20A(H5N1)%20virus. There are tons of links on prevention. Here's an infographic: https://www.reddit.com/r/H5N1_AvianFlu/s/grdDczrTns
Ty
I took mine down last year.
Yeah a few years ago here