Will burning citronella oil near my budgie harm him?

Question

in an oil burner?

Answer 1

I can't imagine why it would hurt your Bird. If you look at the definition of citronella you get:

citronella

common name for a grass, Cymbopogon nardus, the source of oil of citronella, used in perfumes and soaps and as an insect repellent. The plant, with bluish green, lemon-scented leaves, is cultivated in Java and Sri Lanka. Citronella is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Liliopsida, order Cyperales, family Gramineae.

I certainly wouldn't put it directly under your cage. My brother in-law has a budgerigar, and he said he wouldn't worry about it at all. Take care.

Answer 2

I wouldn't burn the oil near your budgie, but I would say it's okay to burn it in the home. Birds have very efficient respiratory systems and use 80% of the air they take in. Humans only use 60% of what they breathe. The down side to this system is that birds are very sensitive to things in the atmosphere. Some birds are so sensitive that even a single spraying of air freshener can kill them.

With that said, I do burn the rare candle around my critters. I've found that my guys are okay if I keep a window open and I burn stuff in another room. I keep the bird room door shut. I have an air purifier running 24/7. Don't burn the oil for too long and as soon as you have problems breathing, put the burner out. With those precautions in place, Your budgie should be okay. ^.^

Answer 3

Citronella Oil Candles

Answer 4

Candles are usually not a good idea near birds because they have a very small respiratory systems and you have to be careful of fumes ,smoke , possible lead in the wicks,etc.. Instead go to your local dollar store----where every thing's a dollar & get some battery operated tea lights. Not quite as romantic as getting your hair or table cloth on fire but they do give a nice flickering glow especially in a sparkly holder. No danger to anyone . You can also get larger battery candles in other stores and catalogs for about $14. Also you can get flicker bulbs at Xmas time that can be put in those electric candle holders. Those are really nice and look quite real. You can usually get those in Walmart..For a couple bucks the house doesn't burn down and the dog doesn't catch fire and the birds don't cough.Actually I agree your birds shouldn't be in the kitchen too many fumes and too much danger from teflon fumes which can kill your birds in a few minutes if over heated.. Teflon is everywhere--toaster , pots, ovens, bake ware, hair dryers and utensils

Answer 5

Assuming that you put the burner as far away from the bird as you can, then no. However, putting anything like that close to any person or human is probably inadvisable. Just because its 'natural' doesn't make it safe. Tobacco and marijuana are natural too after all.

Answer 6

I wouldn't chance using anything scented near your budgie. They are very sensitive to any scents. It very well could kill them. I don't use anything scented in the room with my birds. My mother in law used all natural citrus cleaner and both of her love birds died. If you feel you must burn it, either remove the birds from the room or completely cover the cage.

Answer 7

I would not burn any kind of scented candle or lamp anywhere near my birds. Birds have very sensitive respiratory systems. Even cigarette smoke is bad for them.

Answer 8

Birds are unable to expel any irritants that they inhale thus causing them to retain in their lungs any poisons they breathe in. I don't use any chemicals, Teflon pans, burn candles or use room deodorizers in my home, regardless of how far it is from my birds because they can easily die from the fumes.

Cleaning hint: vinegar kills 99.9% of bacteria and is harmless to your pets.