Fleas in residential premises are a common occurrence, especially if there are pets among the residents. Pigeon parasites cause a completely different reaction.
They are small insects (2-4 mm long) with a dark, almost black color. Fleas are distinguished by an elongated body, flattened on the sides, as well as an elongated third pair of legs. This structure allows parasites not only to jump high, but over long distances.
Pigeon fleas penetrate apartments and houses relatively rarely, causing serious inconvenience.
Bird flea removal should be done as soon as possible after infestation. If you ignore parasites, delay can aggravate the situation, causing disastrous consequences for the health of the inhabitants of the home.
How do they look
Biologists count thousands of varieties of pigeon fleas. However, these differences are not visible to the naked eye. Parasites are characterized by the following features:
- Dark uniform color.
- Size from 1 to 3 mm.
- On the head there are processes resembling antennae.
- Elongated body shape.
- Three pairs of legs. The third is especially developed. Due to this, the flea can jump long distances.
- There are no wings.
Most often, owners of pigeons encounter fleas.
Bird handling rules
Regardless of the product you choose to treat your feathered pet, you should remember the safety rules for the life of the bird. When using strong chemicals, the bird is carefully handled. Only the skin is processed. To prevent the product from getting on the head and eyes, make caps.
Baths are made warm, not hot. The bird's head is also supported so as not to get wet. If a parrot is treated with a herbal solution or medicinal liquid through a spray bottle, it is recommended to put a cap on the head. This will help prevent the medication from getting into your eyes.
Signs of infection
It is quite difficult to determine infection in the initial stages. For a long time after fleas appear, the bird appears healthy.
However, there are a number of signs that indicate a possible disease. When observing your feathered pet, pay attention to the following features:
- Behavior. An infected individual behaves restlessly and shows aggression.
- Appearance. The dove looks disheveled and unkempt. This occurs due to painful bites.
- Plumage condition. If the bird cleans itself too actively, an infestation with parasites may be suspected. At later stages, heavy loss of feathers and down begins.
Danger to humans
Pigeon flea bites are dangerous to humans.
If a flea cannot parasitize on the body of a pigeon for a long time, the insect will choose a pet or even a person as a carrier. Despite the fact that such cases cannot be called common practice, such a problem still exists.
Pigeon flea bites are painful and cause discomfort for a long time. The wound does not heal well, and there is a high probability of suppuration of the surrounding tissues. As a result of the bite, a severe allergic reaction may develop. Its main symptoms are increased body temperature, fever, inflammation of the lymph nodes and painful itching at the site of the lesion.
But the most dangerous is infection with diseases such as hepatitis, typhoid, brucellosis and encephalitis. The likelihood of infection is low, but you should always be on guard.
Where can you get infected?
The population of pigeons around the world is extremely large, and over time it is only increasing. Therefore, the problem of flea infestation can affect everyone. Parasites enter homes in the following ways:
- Through an unglazed balcony.
- Through the ventilation holes. First of all, residents of the upper floor are at risk, because the favorite nesting place for pigeons is the attic.
- Through contact with the bird. For safety reasons, you should refrain from the temptation to pick up the dove.
- Through excrement, for example on shoes or clothing.
- When visiting tight, enclosed spaces where there are large concentrations of pigeons (caves, grottoes).
Prevention measures
To prevent fleas from multiplying in the dovecote, it must be washed and disinfected more often.
To prevent parasites from entering human homes, it is necessary to eliminate their source - expel pigeons from the roof, remove their nests, and disinfect places where birds are often found. Disinfection should be carried out several times at intervals of 10–15 days. To do this, use the products “Clean House”, “Raptor”, “Dichlorvos”. After treatment, the room must be ventilated for 24 hours before continuing to stay in it.
If fleas have chosen a large attic or other room, you need to use the services of specialists who disinfect large areas.
In the future, you need to seal all the passages through which birds can penetrate. It is advisable to glaze balconies on the upper floors and install protective nets on the windows in the warm season. If required, window openings must be lubricated with insecticidal agents that will prevent parasites from entering the house.
Did you know? Scientists have been able to establish that rock pigeons have very acute vision. This ability was used during rescue operations to search for people missing on the water. During experiments carried out in the 1980s. in the US, birds found objects 93% of the time.
Methods for treating pigeons
Special medications have been developed to treat infected individuals. They are produced in the form of a gel or aerosol. Bird feathers must be carefully treated with the product.
It is important to treat all pets, not just those showing symptoms. After all, fleas are contagious and can easily change hosts.
For the treatment of birds, a variety of insecticides are provided, the action of which is aimed at killing fleas.
Most chemicals only kill adult fleas. Therefore, after 2 - 3 weeks, re-treatment is required.
Afterwards, be sure to wash the cage. This must be done with warm water and a disinfectant detergent. The larvae are extremely tenacious; to completely destroy them, it is not enough to simply rinse the surface.
It is important not to neglect safety measures. You can perform all the above-described manipulations only using protective equipment - gloves and a mask.
Flea control products
The problem must be resolved in a comprehensive manner. It is not enough to treat the bird. You will need to disinfect the room and cage. If the infection is severe, the cell is discarded. After careful processing of the apartments, a new home for the parrot is purchased. The complex of procedures, in addition to insecticides, should include vitamins, minerals, and drugs that will increase immunity. When diagnosing anemia, iron-containing agents are added. Only a veterinarian can tell you how to properly treat a parrot or pigeon.
Chemicals
Timely and correct treatment is the key to a quick recovery of your feathered friend. To get rid of parasites, two drugs are recommended in 80% of cases: Frontline or Ivermec. Common and serious remedies are Piren-D and Anostomazan. The products are used exclusively in veterinary procedures.
Important! It must be remembered that it is necessary to use chemical drugs after thoroughly studying the instructions for their use. If the bird is tired due to fleas or infected with other infections (ticks, worms, etc.), then chemicals may not give the desired result.
Attention! Chemical substances are not applied to the plumage. Only on the body. After all, fleas can only bite the body, not the feather.
Insecticides
Neostomozan is widely used to kill parasites. The insecticide is the most harmless for parrots and pigeons at all stages of infection. Application is simple. There are two options for processing birds:
- Spray your pet with a spray bottle and treat according to the instructions.
- Bath in the prepared solution. In this case, contact of the insecticide with the eyes and head is prohibited.
Neostomazan solution is prepared as follows: diluted in warm water immediately before use. The dosage of the drug should take into account the body weight of the bird and its size. This substance is used as a means to disinfect cells. But it is better to choose an additional substance for disinfection.
Folk remedies and medicinal herbs
Medicinal herbs such as eucalyptus, rosemary, thyme, wormwood and mint effectively protect against fleas. These plants will help rid your parrot of fleas. Decoctions are made in which the feathered friend is bathed.
How quickly medicinal plants eliminate the problem can only be said after practical use at the infection stage. More herbal infusions and solutions are suitable for prevention, treatment of cells and premises. It is also impossible to determine the best from the list. They all have fungicidal properties.
Need to know! It is advisable to use medicinal herbs for prevention. It is enough to hang them in bunches in the corners and place them near the cage with the parrot. The strong smell does not harm the bird, but repels fleas.
Options for getting rid of pigeon fleas in an apartment
The first step towards getting rid of fleas in an apartment is to destroy the source of their appearance. If there are nests on a balcony, attic or other place in close proximity to a living space, if possible, they should be destroyed. This is not about killing the birds themselves. You can only get rid of empty nests. The most reasonable option is burning: this way the fleas are most likely to die. The surrounding area must be cleared of feathers, food debris and bird excrement.
The apartment must be completely treated with a special insect repellent. The poison should be sprayed everywhere, even in the most inaccessible places.
It is important to remember that insecticides are dangerous to people and animals. If there are pets at home, they must be removed in advance before pest control.
Immediately after the procedure, you will have to leave your home for a day. And upon your return, do wet cleaning using laundry soap and baking soda.
Description and characteristics of bird fleas
Fleas in birds are rare. Lice should be excluded immediately, since parrots are not carriers or carriers of such parasites. Insects quickly take root on the bird’s body and multiply rapidly.
Interesting! Initially, fleas lived only on chickens, but quickly moved to the feathers of pigeons and parrots.
Insects get onto the plumage in various ways. Most often, infection occurs in the warm season after visiting the street. It is extremely rare for poultry to be bothered by fleas or cat fleas. But they do not live long on feathers. The likelihood of infection increases if there is:
- poultry houses (ducks);
- home chicken coops;
- dovecote.
Fleas get indoors on human belongings, but it is not difficult to move into a cage and onto a parrot’s feather.
Appearance and life cycle
Fleas that interfere with the lives of parrots and pigeons are practically no different in appearance from cats:
- rounded;
- flattened on the sides;
- brown color of the body;
- three pairs of limbs;
- 4-6 mm in size.
Pigeon fleas can only harm birds. They are not dangerous for cats and dogs. Parasites initially settle in their nests.
Reproduction
One mature flea is enough for the parrot to be left with itching and discomfort within a month. Initially, its location is a nest. This is where she lays her eggs. After 14-21 days, young individuals actively live on the bird’s body. Mating occurs exclusively on feathers.
What do insects eat?
The study of the flea victim is carried out with special antennas. But punctures on the body are made using the nose part - a special proboscis. After suction, saturation with blood lasts from several minutes to 5-6 hours.
Interesting fact! Flea infestation can occur from a cage that has previously been used. Parasites can live in it for a long time even without a bird. The fact is that they are capable of being in the stage of suspended animation, but after the appearance of the parrot’s warm body, they awaken and lead an active lifestyle.
Preventive actions
To prevent pigeon fleas from entering an apartment through windows and ventilation, you can use special gels. The product is applied around the perimeter and repels insects. You can purchase such gels at a pet store or veterinary pharmacy.
There is also a large selection of electronic bird scarers on sale. But this method is not always effective. In city conditions, pigeons quickly adapt to innovations and stop reacting to stimuli.
In order to protect clothes and shoes from fleas, you can use wormwood essential oil. Its smell effectively repels insects. The house can also be treated with this effective remedy. Not only essential oil is used, but also fresh or dried herbs.
Transmission routes
The danger of infection can be expected literally anywhere. Reason: fleas are able to jump 30 cm forward, and up to 20 cm in height. But fleas appear on pigeons more often, since they are always outdoors, in contact with wild birds. In apartment conditions, the bird may not become infected at all if the owner monitors the hygiene of the house (cage) and the health of the parrot.
The appearance of fleas on the feathers and body of a pet is rare. They get into the apartment:
- on things, shoes;
- if there are other pets, then on the fur after a walk (dogs and cats) they can only bring bird parasites into the house, but do not become infected themselves;
- ventilation system. Parasites live in places with high dampness: basements, attics. They get into the ventilation shaft quickly;
- when buying food in a store or market. The culprits are other birds that are sold in the pet store.
Attention! It is almost impossible to protect a parrot or pigeon from flea infection. Only prevention prevents parasitic infection by 90%.
