Salmonella contamination concerns
The concerns over salmonella contamination from peanuts processed in Georgia has prompted calls to Action News from people who feed birds here in Central New York, asking if they're putting birds at risk. We have not been able to confirm yet, if any of the suspect peanut paste was sent to suet manufacturers, but jarred peanut butter is safe. Here is information from Cornell's Science Editor:
With regard to the peanut butter recall going on now: people do not need to be concerned about peanut butter they get from jars sold for home use that they might smear on branches and pine cones to attract the birds. The peanut butter being recalled was in institutional amounts shipped to other outlets. However, we don't know for sure what was used in commercially-available suet cakes that include peanut butter, so it might be best to err on the side of caution there. They could smear jarred peanut butter on regular-flavored suet cakes perhaps.
Birds do indeed get sick from salmonella, as humans do. Here's the more detailed information we send out to people who ask about this:
Salmonellosis is caused by a bacteria belonging to the genus Salmonella. It is a common cause of mortality in feeder birds, particularly siskins, goldfinches, and redpolls, but the symptoms are not always obvious. A sick bird may appear thin, fluffed up, and may have fecal material on its vent and swollen eyelids. Infected birds are often lethargic and easy to approach. Some infected birds may show no outward symptoms, but are carriers of the disease and can spread the infection to other birds.
Salmonellosis is primarily transmitted through fecal contamination of food and water. It may also be transmitted through bird-to-bird contact. Occasionally, outbreaks of the disease cause significant mortality in certain species.
Disease transmission can be reduced by 1) cleaning areas that are contaminated with the bacteria, and 2) discouraging large flocks of birds from gathering in one location. With respect to bird feeding, we recommend the following if you live in an area experiencing a salmonellosis outbreak:
- Clean your feeders and birdbaths with water and a 10 percent bleach solution to kill the bacteria.
- Clean your bird feeding area by washing all structures holding your feeders and raking the ground surrounding the feeders.
- Do not reinstall your feeders for a few weeks (or until sick birds are no longer being reported in your area).
If you do continue to feed birds:
- Place your feeders in new locations around your yard.
- Vary your feeding locations so that birds do not concentrate in one location.
- Remove feeders that allow contact between fecal material and food (such as platform feeders).
- Clean your feeders with a bleach solution several times a week. Be sure that feeders are dry before filling them with seed.
