Best Deodorizer?

[BirdVice]

In the U.S. what are your thoughts on the best product to deodorize birdcages. I had JUST changed the bedding in my cages and my boyfriend complained that my place REALLY smelled like birdcage. I think it's the nests themselves that may be the culprits, but most birds are on eggs now, so I can't take the nests out and give them a good soaking.

[Ursula]

I wouldn't use any sprays around birds.

(Off topic, I'd say: Change the boyfriend! ... just kidding! )

[ac12]

I found cleaning the cages to get rid of the poop, really cuts down the smell. The other thing is the bath. If the bath water is splashed on the dried poop, the poop begins to smell. Also ventilate the room with outside air whenever you can. The birds will get a LOT of bird dust out of the cage, vacum and mop it as best as you can.

[BirdVice]

I wouldn't use any sprays around birds.

(Off topic, I'd say: Change the boyfriend! ... just kidding! )

I'm not talking Febreeze-type stuff. I'm talking the enzyme-type stuff made specifically to clean cages. I've never had an issue with it (or Febreeze, for that matter) with either my parrots or my little guys.

As far as the boyfriend: he's the most generous, sweet man I've ever met, so,... no. He prefaced his complaint with, "Sweetie, I love you more than anything in the whole world, but I have to tell you, this place really smells like birdcage." When he started out, I thought he was going to tell me I smelled or something!

[Meagan83]

I have asked this same question before myself. There does not seem to be a cure for the bird smell. The people who claim to have no bird smells in their home at all I think must just have a lesser sense of smell...lol.
Air fresheners and scented wood chip bedding is a no no, and everyone just recommends to stay on top of cleaning. I clean often and scrub the cage bottoms and food cups.. But my bird room still smells like birds. Lucky for me, my hubby has a poor sense of smell and I'm the only one who notices it.

[lovemyfinch]

I have actually been really lucky, everyone including the boys seem to have gotten used to it. Nobody notices it anymore.

[ac12]

My birds are in the family room, so I can't block them off to keep the smell away, unlike those of you who have your birds in a separate room can. I do notice when the smell gets "stronger" and that is usually about when I have to change their poop paper. Some birds (my societies) are worse than others. And it gets worse when there are more birds in the cage. Also sometimes after they bath, if they splash water out of the bath into the cage and wet the poop on the cage floor the smell comes out.

[Ursula]

As far as the boyfriend: he's the most generous, sweet man I've ever met, so,... no. He prefaced his complaint with, "Sweetie, I love you more than anything in the whole world, but I have to tell you, this place really smells like birdcage." When he started out, I thought he was going to tell me I smelled or something!

Yes, that sounds as if he was the best you can get, he accepts you no matter what. (Heard too many stories of relationships where people had to choose between the partner or pet. That's not much of a relationship to me to begin with.) I hope you are not offended by my joke, but I couldn't resists...

I'm also sometimes worried that my birds might smell and that me and my husband just don't notice... So I can understand your concern. Additional to the finches I have button quail, and they are the smelliest of pet birds, I can tell you! So I'm cleaning in my aviary almost every weekend. (Not always major cleaning, but wiping down some surfaces and changing some litter.)

[kelwts]

Hi , I'm new to the forum . Try this out .
Its really great . An all in one solution as an insecticide , deodoriser , etc, etc , Check out the uses as attached . The BEST thing is that it is totally safe for your pets . Try it . It can also be called EM or Effective Microorganism

Effective Microorganisms

BENEFITS of making EM for your home:

. Save Money: Turn kitchen waste to DIY natural household cleaners
. Multiple Usage: Natural household cleaner, air purifier, insecticide, detergent, body care,
car care, organic fertilizer & etc
. Reduce Pollution: Methane gas released from disposed garbage can trap 21 times more
heat than CO2, worsen the global warming condition
. Purify Air: Remove odors. Dissolve toxic air released from smoking, car exhaust, chemical
residues from household products, etc
. Purify Underground Water: Enzyme that flow underground will eventually purify the
river and the sea
. Natural Pesticides: Reduce mosquitoes, flies, rats or cockroaches etc
. Anti-Bacterial and Virus: Natural antiseptic for your home
. Prevent Drainage Blockage: Release residues accumulated in the pipe of basins or toilet
bowls

Ingredients
Ratio
Example 1

1 part Brown Sugar
3 parts Vegetable / citrus peelings or scraps ( Uncooked )
10 litres of water .

Here’s How:
Step by Step

1. Use an air-tight plastic container
2. Dilute sugar in water, follow by adding
vegetable and fruit dregs
3. Leave some space in the container for
fermentation
4. Close it tight
5. During the 1st month, gases will be released
during fermentation process. Release the
pressure built up in the container to avoid
rupturing
6. Push the floating garbage downward every
once a while
7. Place at cool, dry and well ventilated area.
Avoid direct sunlight. Let ferment for at
least 3 months before use

STEP 1:
Container: air tight plastic container.
- 10 Parts water (Fill up 60% of
container)
STEP 2:
- 1 Part sugar (=10% of water container)
STEP 3:
- 3 Part kitchen waste (fill up to 80% of
container)
STEP 4:
- Close tight. Keep 3 months (open
daily to release gases for 1st month)

Take note:
1. Do not use glass or metal containers that cannot expand
2. Garbage for making enzyme does not include paper, plastic, metal or glass materials
3. Avoid oily cooked food, fish or meat residues (can be used as garden compost material).
To make a fresh smelling enzyme, add orange, lemon peel or pandan leave etc
4. The ideal colour of garbage enzyme is dark brown. If it turned black, add in same amount
of sugar to start fermentation process again
5. It may have a white, black or brown layer on the top of the enzyme, ignore it. If you
encounter flies and worms in the container, leave it and the chemical reaction of enzyme
will resolve them naturally. Close and seal the cover tightly
6. Make full use of garbage enzyme residue:
o Reuse for next production by adding fresh garbage
o Use as fertilizer by drying the residue, blend it and bury in the ground
o Grind the residue, pour into toilet bowl, add some brown sugar and flush to help
purify sewage
7. If you have not gathered enough kitchen waste, you may fill up the container gradually.
The 3 months fermentation period start from the day you place last batch of kitchen
waste
8. Garbage enzyme is at its best after 6 months of fermentation. The longer it takes, the
better it gets. Garbage enzyme will never expire. Do not store in the refrigerator
9. Help protect our ozone layer. If every household utilized their garbage to produce
garbage enzyme, it can stop kitchen waste from polluting our land and meanwhile
generating enough ozone gas to ease global warming.

You Can Help to Change our Earth
YOU CAN HELP TO CHANGE THE CLIMATE!

FOR HOUSEHOLD USE:

CONCENTRATE ( NO DILLUTION )
Bath
50 – 100 cc (add in water to improve skin
condition - keep Overnight)

Washing Machine (clean & soften laundry)
20 – 50 cc
Soak & wash

Toilet Bowl (prevent blockage & purify sewage)
250 cc
Pour & Flush

Toilet Cistern (purify water)
20 – 50 cc
2-3 times/week

Garden pond & Water Tank (purify water)
1/10,000 L water
Add occasionally

Leather sofa (clean mold or stain)
Appropriate Amount Of EM
Spray & wipe every
10 days


(10 TO 50 TIMES DILLUTION)
Carpet & Tatami Mat (deodorize & antiseptic)
Spray 1 – 2 times/month

Shoe, inside the car (deodorize & antiseptic)
Appropriate Amount of EM
Spray occasionally

Kitchen sink, stove, cooker hood (clean oily
stain)
Appropriate Amount Of Enzyme
Soak & wipe occasionally

Black mold (anti fungal)
Approriate amount of EM
Soak & wipe occasionally

Pet excretion, pet house (deodorize &
antiseptic)
Appropriate Amount Of EM
Spray occasionally


200 – 500 times DILLUTION
Air-cond room (humidifier, deodorize &
antiseptic)
Appropriate Amount Of EM
Spray occasionally

500 times
Bathroom sink (clean)
Appropriate Amount OF EM
Soak & wipe occasionally

Cabinet & refrigerator (deodorize)
Appropriate Amount Of EM
Spray occasionally

Drain (prevent drainpipe blockage)
Appropriate Amount
Flush occasionally

Pet (bath, deodorize & antiseptic)
Appropriate Amount Of EM
Upon bathing or brushing

Toilet (clean deodorize & antiseptic)
Appropriate Amount OF EM
Spray when wiping

500 – 1000 times DILLUTION
Indoor (purify air, deodorize & pest control)
Appropriate Amount of EM
Spray frequently

Closet, clothes (deodorize & antiseptic)
Spray occasionally (Slightly moist )

1000 times
Seeding & planting (fertilizer)
Appropriate Amount
Add in watering can

Save on household cleaner and bodycare:

For shampoo, dish wash, laundry liquid etc: Use enzyme to multiply & to reduce chemical residues.
Ratio = 1 part enzyme : 1 part detergent/cleaner : 10 part water

Washing Vegetables:
Add 30ml (2 table spoon) enzyme to 1 Litre water. Soak 45 minutes

Floor cleaning:
Add 30ml (2 table spoon) enzyme to moping water. To clean & sterilize

Car Care:
Add 30ml (2 table spoon) enzyme to water tank to reduce car temperature .



TRY IT .... ZOOs are using it too !!!!

[monotwine]

Do you know what is being released by the fermentation process?
i.e. which bacteria, fungi and yeasts are produced and if/how these affect the birds? A quick google shows that some of the outputs of EM are Apergillus, candida and bacteria. Are these ok or the bad versions that can make birds sick?
Having a bacterial infection just go through my aviary I am rather cautious of such. Good and bad exist in balance generally but if we tip the balance introducing mico's, we have to know what we are adding.

I'm very sure that your receipe has benefits. I am pro the use of organics to control problems, but one has to know what you are working with so I prefer laboratory cultured things personally because then I know what I am getting.

[debbie276]

Healthy bird droppings have no smell so maybe it's not the poop your smelling:
http://www.avianweb.com/poopology.html

[kelwts]

Hi Monotwine ,
Hope this might answer some of yr questions . Like Yogurt .... Yogurt also has "good" bacteria in them . Some literature that might help


What is EM?

EM is the abbreviation for Effective Micro-Organisms.
EM is a combination of useful regenerated micro-organisms that exist freely in nature and are not manipulated in any way.
This mixture increases the natural resistance of soil, plants, water, humans, and animals.
EM considerably improves the quality and fertility of soil as well as the growth and quality of crops.
The possibilities and benefits in using EM are numerable and include the following:


* For use in the home in daily life for everyone
* The recycling of kitchen waste and turning it into valuable organic material;
* In the garden to improve soil structure, increase productivity and to suppress both disease and weeds
* For solving all kinds of environmental problems such as water, air, and soil pollution;
* In agriculture and horticulture, fruit and flower cultivation;
* In animal husbandry and for all kinds of pets;
* In fisheries, aquariums and swimming pools;
* In personal bodily hygiene and for the prevention and treatment of health problems.

EM consists of many different kinds of effective, disease-suppressing micro-organisms. Each of these effective micro-organisms has a specific task. In addition, these micro-organisms enhance each other’s working. This means that synergy occurs!

The micro-organisms are naturally existing and are not modified or manipulated in any way and are cultured according to a specific method. Some of which are known to produce bioactive substances such as vitamins, hormones, enzymes, antioxidants and antibiotics that can directly, or indirectly enhance plant growth and protection.

EM consists of the following five families of micro-organisms:

1. Lactic acid bacteria: these bacteria are differentiated by their powerful sterilising properties. They suppress harmful micro-organisms and encourage quick breakdown of organic substances. In addition, they can suppress the reproduction of Fusarium, a harmful fungus.
2. Yeasts: these manufacture anti-microbial and useful substances for plant growth. Their metabolites are food for other bacteria such as the lactic acid and actinomycete groups.
3. Actinomycetes: these suppress harmful fungi and bacteria and can live together with photosynthetic bacteria.
4. Photosynthetic bacteria: these bacteria play the leading role in the activity of EM. They synthesize useful substances from secretions of roots, organic matter and/or harmful gases (e.g. hydrogen sulphide) by using sunlight and the heat of soil as sources of energy. They contribute to a better use of sunlight or, in other words, better photosynthesis. The metabolites developed by these micro-organisms are directly absorbed into plants. In addition, these bacteria increase the number of other bacteria and act as nitrogen binders.
5. Fungi that bring about fermentation these break down the organic substances quickly. This suppresses smell and prevents damage that could be caused by harmful insects.

What EM is not, is harmful, pathogenic, genetically-engineered/modified (GMO), nor chemically-synthesized. Neither is EM a drug or fertilizer.

[kelwts]

Sorry

A little more literature on EM and what is in it ( Contents )
o what is this EM (Effective Microorganisms)?

Effective Microorganisms, or EM is one of the most popular microbial technologies being used worldwide now. EM was first discovered by Dr. Teruo Higa, professor of horticulture at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan and it's products have been on the market since 1983.
By now EM is produced in over 54 countries (including New Zealand) and consists of naturally-occurring beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms can easily be classified into three major groups: lactic acid bacteria (commonly found in dairy products), yeast (e.g. bread, beer), and phototrophic bacteria.

The use of Effective Microorganisms Technology has broadened in the last two decades from agriculture to water treatment, odour control, animal husbandry, human health, and numerous other industrial treatments.

Research has shown that the inoculation of EM cultures to the soil/plant ecosystem can improve soil quality, soil health, and the growth, yield, and quality of crops. Also when used in animal systems similar benefits have been shown. These microorganisms have a reviving action on growing systems and are completely safe to use.

A number of these microorganisms have long been familiar to the medical sector and the foods industry and are extremely useful for people, animals, plants, the soil and water. Naturally, EM Effective Microorganisms are not genetically engineered. Over the years, the completely harmless and safe nature of EM has been confirmed during a range of research both in Japan and other countries.

In general there are three types of microorganisms:

* Decomposing/degenerative microorganisms
* Opportunistic/neutral microorganisms
* Constructive/regenerative microorganisms


Effective microorganisms (EM) technology has now become a major science, assisting in the creation of sustainable practices for agriculture, animal husbandry, nature farming, environmental stewardship, construction, human health and hygiene, industrial, community activities and more.

The basic concept of EM in Agriculture is that multiple applications of beneficial and effective microorganisms improve the health of soils that produce healthy crops. EM is effective in organic farming as an alternative to chemicals. Its range of applications since 1982, has expanded into livestock and aquaculture as well as into Community Health areas such as waste treatment and other environmental applications. Today, EM has become very popular and is used in over 100 countries worldwide.

Composting

Apart from Agriculture, the most often recognised application of EM is composting your household waste.

A "brew" of effective microorganisms can be added to your waste material in your composter which works on the waste and breaks it down. The beneficial role of this microbial solution has the ability to break down organic matter, thereby providing plant nutrients and enhancing physical and chemical properties.

It is reported[1] to include:

* Lactic acid bacteria: Lactobacillus plantarum; L. Casei; Streptococcus Lactis.
* Photosynthetic bacteria: Rhodopseudomonas Palustris; Rhodobacter Sphaeroides.
* Yeast: Saccharomyces Cerevisiae; Candida Utilis(no longer used) (usually known as Toula, Pichia Jadinii).
* Actinomycetes(no longer used in the formulas): Streptomyces Albus; S. Griseus.
* Fermenting fungi(no longer used in the formulas): Aspergillus oryzae; Mucor Hiemalis.

Hi Debbie ,
Not just for poop . But many uses . Also acts as a disinfectant .
This introduction to EM is for the benefit of readers .

[tajuano]

In my opinion there is no such a thing as no smell, and the more birds we have the smellier it becomes, because like humans, birds have waste, so we can only clean. But the worse smells are coming from the bath, because when poop becomes wet its stinks bad. I know this lady who had chickens, and she washed her chicken coop almost every day, boy that coop sinked so bad, that you could not sit on the back porch. And then my neighbor has chickens and she never lets it to get wet, well you can't even smell that coop. So if you don't want to have smell in the room, try to keep it as dry as possible and as clean as possible. Hope this will help.

[monotwine]

kelwts thanks for taking the time to post that information. I'm still not 100% sure what species of bacteria and fungi your receipe produces, but one would only know that by testing it as I think every culture would produce different ones.