Disinfecting a Used Bird Cage

[StarTrick]

Hi there, I'm picking up a used decent sized cage for my ekkie tomorrow - the original owner of the cage had a blue and gold macaw who unfortunately passed away due to circumstances unrelated to health, according to the seller. I don't want to use bleach due to the affect it has on the wildlife here, I don't have an enclosed space to wash it and would much rather use vinegar and water, and then wash it with a power washer. I do live in Australia, so PBFD is very prevalent here. I highly highly doubt this bird had it, but y'all are probably going to tell me that I can never be too safe (and since it's outside, other birds...? even though it's under a roof). I don't have access to F10 right now. Would a vinegar solution be affective? I've seen a few suggestions for it on other threads similar to this but mostly everyone just said bleach. Thanks!

 

[StarTrick]

(I've just looked it up more, I could order F10 but it wouldn't be here for quite a while and I'd have no clue where to keep my parrot in the meantime, as it would have to sit under some tarps with no walls unless it could use the current space he hangs out in during the day... our living predicaments are a little complicated, living in the Australian bush right now... ruffing it out in somewhat luxury) But yeah, I'd be too worried about infection for if something was on there.

 

[JLcribber]

If you blast that thing with a pressure washer it will be clean as a whistle. All that’s needed IMO.

 

[tka]

Vinegar will do bugger all against a virus.

Can you get hold of Virkon S? It's what's recommended in this Australian document: http://www.environment.gov.au/syste...-1a9fdcb76642/files/hygiene-protocols-all.pdf

 

[ferretspy]

pressure washing and then doing a wipe down with a water vinegar solution should do the trick! if you're worried about not getting everything with those, either try a bird-safe cage cleaner or try using a steam cleaner! since water vapour aka steam is super hot, it kills and sanitizes any bacteria it comes in contact with. and since it's a metal cage, no harm should be done to the cage with proper research and prep/handing techniques.
if you decide to steam clean the cage, make sure no other animals or pets are around that could come in contact with the cage after steaming. the metal will heat up (i'm unsure how fast it will heat up or how high the temperature will be) and be very hot, which can give you or any other critters some nasty burns.
if you decide to steam clean, please do it safely!