Question:
I have a very cool little parakeet named Monster (who usually goes by the name Bird) that I am extremely fond of. I also have roaches which I’m not particularly fond of. I want to get rid of the roaches but I’m not sure how to go about doing this. I’m afraid to use any kind of commercial pesticides on the off chance that Bird might get a hold of a dead or dying roach. I don’t want to use bug bombs or call an exterminator and move him out for a week either. If I missed any of those toxic little buggers during the aftermath and he got a hold of it….suffice it to say I don’t want to chance it. I’ve heard some people recommend Boric Acid (what they use for eyewash). Supposedly, it’s non-toxic and only kills roaches because it dissolves the waxy coating on their shells (causing them to die of dehydration). Any opinions? Other options? Any avian vets out there who want to venture an opinion? I’d appreciate any feedback.
Response:
>want to chance it. I’ve heard some people recommend Boric Acid (what they >use for eyewash). Supposedly, it’s non-toxic and only kills roaches >because it dissolves the waxy coating on their shells (causing them to die >of dehydration). Any opinions? Other options? Any avian vets out there >who want to venture an opinion? I’d appreciate any feedback.
Boric acid is the only pesticide that I use in my house. For years I have used it whenever I moved into a new apartment to discourage roaches, and in my present apartment where roaches are not a problem I use it on ants. It has quickly wiped out major ant invasions in my present home but I don’t know how well it performs on major roach infestations. It has never caused any toxicity to my birds, but my birds don’t play on the floor or eat bugs (that I know of). Also I have been careful to put the boric acid powder only in out of the way places, i.e. under cabinets, along baseboards. I have worked on the assumption that it is far *less* toxic than other pesticides, but I would never assume that it is non-toxic to birds. If you’re going to use it, get the type that is specifically made for eradicating bugs, not the kind made for eye wash solutions. The bug type is more finely powdered and works much better.
Response:
For roaches, go to the nearest U-Haul store and purchase a roll of their paper packing tape. Put the tape out sticky side up in areas roaches like to frequent. Roach Motel by the yard. Useful stuff. –Rick Cook – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->want to chance it. I’ve heard some people recommend Boric Acid (what they >use for eyewash). Supposedly, it’s non-toxic and only kills roaches >because it dissolves the waxy coating on their shells (causing them to die >of dehydration). Any opinions? Other options? Any avian vets out there >who want to venture an opinion? I’d appreciate any feedback. > Boric acid is the only pesticide that I use in my house. For years I >have used it whenever I moved into a new apartment to discourage roaches, >and in >my present apartment where roaches are not a problem I use it on ants. It >has >quickly wiped out major ant invasions in my present home but I don’t know >how >well it performs on major roach infestations. It has never caused any >toxicity >to my birds, but my birds don’t play on the floor or eat bugs (that I know >of). > Also I have been careful to put the boric acid powder only in out of the >way >places, i.e. under cabinets, along baseboards. I have worked on the >assumption >that it is far *less* toxic than other pesticides, but I would never assume >that >it is non-toxic to birds. > If you’re going to use it, get the type that is specifically made for >eradicating bugs, not the kind made for eye wash solutions. The bug type >is >more finely powdered and works much better.
Response:
>I want to get rid of the roaches but I’m not sure > how to go about doing this. I’m afraid to use any kind of commercial > pesticides on the off chance that Bird might get a hold of a dead or dying > roach.
I live in Florida where we are famous for our roaches. They kick Boric Acid aside. I have used a product called Demon WP for years. My pesticide supplier claims that it is made from orchids & is less toxic to animals than salt but it is deadly to roaches. It is necessary to spray only once every three months! Any roach that touches it is dead right now! I move my birds outside when I spray around the baseboards and leave them out until it’s dry, just as a precaution. I have never had an ill-effect due to the product. All our birds are fine. If you promptly clean up any dead roaches, I doubt that your birds would have the opportunity to get close to them. However, they may not want o anyway – roaches give off a foul odor that keeps most other animals at bay; it is one of their defense mechanisms. You will have to make the decision to spray or not based on your preferences but keep in mind that not all commercials sprays or bug control products are inherently evil. Check out the ingredients and follow the directions wisely. Ken
Response:
I have had really good luck with COMBAT. I lived in Japan and the roaches are huge, and they don’t die!!! I used a Combat in each room where my daughter couldn’t get to them. Within a couple of weeks I didn’t see any more roaches. I still changed the combats every few months just to be sure. They all crawled into their hole in the wall when they died so I never had any dead ones around. Best of Luck, TRACI
Response:
Slightly off-topic but… I heard rumours that some wacko in Washington (i.e. a member of Congress) is trying to get the ban on DDT lifted. Anyone else hear this? SD |
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