WDFW urges people to empty their bird feeders
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SPOKANE – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking people to empty their bird feeders and keep them emptied until April 1. An outbreak of salmonella among birds is being felt statewide. Bird saliva gets into the feeders and birds moving quickly from feeder to feeder results in community spread.
WDFW also cautions that people who see dead birds should report them and to wear gloves when disposing of the carcass.
Over the last month WDFW estimates they have received thousands of calls that birds are either being found dead or falling out of the sky. Experts believe that an increase in birds migrating from Canada could have begun the outbreak.
In addition to infecting birds, the department cautions it might not stop there. Raptors who eat smaller birds can get it. Also cats who catch birds can get it and pass salmonella along to humans.
People who don’t remove their bird feeders are asked to at least clean them daily by washing them in warm, soapy water and then dunking in a solution of nine parts water and one part bleach. Rinse again and then dry them before refilling. It’s also recommended that the ground below feeders should be raked daily and bird baths should be covered or turned over.
