What Happens If Ants Go To My Budgie?

Budgies are little, friendly birds we always want to take care of and protect.

Naturally, they can be messy too which is why it is not surprising to see ants going to your parakeet’s cage.

But would it be dangerous for your little budgies if there were ants near them or on them? 

There is really nothing to worry about if ants go to your budgie as these tiny pests are harmless to birds.

In fact, your budgie might be curious to take a peck at these ants.

However, it would be a good idea to get rid of these ants from your budgie since it is possible it will make your bird uncomfortable.

Make sure you always clean their cage and immediately cut off any ant trails you can see in your home. 

Related article I think you’ll find very helpful – How often should I clean my bird’s cage?

Can Budgies Eat Ants?

Budgies only have a little body and a small crop, hence they are not going to be okay eating insects.

However, like any other bird, budgies can eat ants, though they prefer not to eat them.

This is why you should not be too worried if you see ants near your budgie because your pet bird will not be in any danger or harm

However, just make sure that your budgie is not dealing with fire ants.

These ant species have powerful bites and formic acid which can harm your bird. 

How Do I Get Rid Of Ants On My Bird? 

Still, no matter how harmless ants can be to your birds, it is still recommended to get rid of them.

For getting rid of these ants from your bird, it is best to use methods that are not only effective but also safe for your pet. 

For instance, you can use diluted vinegar solution or soapy water to spray on these ants.

They will all be killed and, at the same time, you can also cut their trails.

For stronger ant-killer, try to sprinkle cayenne pepper around your bird cage to get rid of these ants. 

Do Ants Eat Bird Poop? 

It is common knowledge that ants are mostly attracted to food, so it is weird to think that they will also eat bird feces.

Here’s the thing

Ants also eat bird poop.

After all, a bird’s poop is rich in nitrogen, protein, and carbohydrates which are all good for ants. 

But there is a negative consequence of it…and that is, ants eating bird’s poop is a sure way to get a parasite inside them.

This is also the reason why it is also dangerous for birds to eat ants because they may contain parasites from eating weird things, like feces. 

Why Do Ants Crawl On Birds? 

Birds engage in anting activity where they let ants crawl on their body and feathers.

This usually happens whenever birds are in their molting season.

Ants release chemicals and substances which help the birds have a soothing feeling during their feather replacements. 

Ants crawl on birds because that is how they are.

They also get provoked to climb and crawl on birds more, whenever the birds flap their wings. 

Are Ants Attracted To The Seeds I Feed My Parakeet?

One common problem with bird seeds is ant infestation.

Ants are attracted to the seeds that you feed to your parakeet and even fresh food such as fruits and vegetables.

Once your bird feeder has been discovered by these ants, it will only take a little time for them to overwhelm your bird cage. 

This is why it is highly recommended to use ant moats to make the seeds inaccessible to these ants.

Make sure you also use safe ant-killers to get rid of these tiny pests around your bird. 

How To Keep Ants Out Of Parakeet Cage?

There are various ant killers that you can use to keep ants out of your bird cage.

The easiest way is to create a vinegar solution to spray around the cages to kill the ants.

You should also make sure that you cut their trails by sprinkling either cayenne pepper or powdered charcoal around the area. 

These ant deterrents are safe and effective which will definitely help you solve the problem of ant infestations in your budgies’ cages. 

Check out my article where I go into more detail about ants being in your birds cage by clicking the link below

What Is Poisonous To Budgies?

There are a lot of toxic food and items to budgies that you must really avoid them to have contact with.

But as far as ant prevention is concerned, it is also far better to avoid using ant killers that are chemically made.

After all, these ant killers are not only toxic to ants but also to your birds.

They are made out of strong chemicals and substances that will negatively affect your bird’s health.

Wrapping Up

Ant infestations are common to have when you have a bird around.

This is because ants are usually attracted to seeds and even to your bird’s feces.

Although ants are harmless to birds, it is still suggested to get rid of these tiny pests to make sure that your bird is comfortable. 

To eliminate these ants, use safe ant killers like cayenne pepper, vinegar solution, soapy water solution, and powdered charcoals.

These are effective in keeping ants away from your bird cage, while also ensuring that your bird is not exposed to any toxic chemicals and substances coming from purchased chemical ant-killers in stores. 

 

We at birdcageshere.com write about bird health and diet however it should not be taken as medical advice. For advice on your bird you need to seek out an avian vet. The information you find on birdcageshere.com is for educational purposes only. At birdcageshere.com we are not liable for any information that you may find on here. Birdcageshere is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice about your bird.