Bird Feeding Notes and Information

Bird feeders.  They attract beautiful birds that many people enjoy watching and photographing as a hobby.  But they also have a nuisance side.  Feeders not only attract birds, they attract mice and other small rodents, such as rats, chipmunks, and squirrels as well as animals such as skunks and raccoons, all of which carry fleas and ticks.  The white mouse plays a big role in the spread of Lyme Disease and is an expert at invading homes, where it rapidly reproduces.  The attraction of small rodents and animals is also often followed by the larger mammals that prey on them.  An excess of bird feeders and the excessive birds attracted to them can cause a whole host of potential problems.  Bird feces can contaminate human food and water sources, fecal dust can be inhaled into the lungs, direct contact with bird feces to a wound can result in infection, and they also harbor fleas, ticks, mites, and other parasites.  Birds can carry several hundred different viral and bacterial agents.  Birds can also be quite destructive to human property, causing corrosion with the buildup up bird waste. The intent of this article is to educate and ask that people be reasonable and responsible in their feeding of birds.  Limiting the number of bird feeders on your property will aid in controlling the number of birds nesting in the area of your home and those that surround it.  When large amounts of birds are attracted to one small area, the feeding party may enjoy watching the birds, but the consequences of the high population can cause a nuisance to your neighbors as well as a health hazard to all of you.  We ask that everyone please consider limiting the number of feeders on your property and being considerate of neighbors that do not have feeders and may be affected by all of the nuisances that can accompany a large number of birds.  We thank you for your consideration.