Last Updated on September 29, 2023 by Catherine Tobsing

This is a follow up to last week’s post asking

Can I Use Oils And Candles Near My Pet Birds?

So

Weezie asked “so what can I use for bird safe air fresheners”?

Hi Weezie

There is no end to the combinations of fruits, extracts, spices, and herbs you can use to make your house smell like a slice of heaven without interfering with your bird’s respiratory system.

Individual tastes and experimentation will help you arrive at the perfect one.

If candles and oil are bad, but you are Jonesing for some olfactory holiday cheer, read on.

Sometimes (always) you don’t have the time or you’re not feeling like Martha Stewart.

I want you to put 3 or 4 cinnamon sticks in a microwave-safe bowl filled halfway with water.

Toss in a sliced lemon or lime – nuke for 3 – 4 minutes and you’ll think you morphed into a Disney movie.

For the more adventuristic.

Get out your small stainless steel saucepan and fill it halfway with water.

Put it on the top of your range bring the water to a boil and then turn the flame (or electric control) to simmer.

Because this is an open pot of boiling water, birds cannot be in the same room.

Allow this to simmer.

Remember that water is going to evaporate so you must replenish it regularly.

When choosing ingredients, the sturdiest ones are the most durable for long-term simmering like the twiggy herbs sage and rosemary.

Fruits with their rinds still attached.

Use fresh herbs for larger rooms because they have “bigger smells”.

These may have to be removed after 15 to 30 minutes if they become overwhelming.

Now that we’re all set, allow me to offer some bird-safe recipes.

The Spiced Apple

An apple sliced into wedges

Cloves, about a tablespoon

3 or 4 cinnamon sticks

6 or 8 ounces (by volume) of cranberries

It’s Starting to Smell Like Winter

1 tablespoon of dried nutmeg

An orange peel

3 or 4 cinnamon sticks

About 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2 or 3 slices of ginger.

Feel free to add a few drops of peppermint extract or apple pie spice if you’re feeling randy.

If you are looking for the Hansel and Gretal in the forest olfactory treat

Grab a fistful of fresh pine needles (probably on the floor behind you), toss them into the pot then add a sliced-up lemon.

If you going to serve an Italian dinner over the holidays try this to help everyone get in the mood.

A teaspoon of whole black peppercorns

A sliced lemon

Some basil sprigs, whatever you can grab with your hand.

If you’re getting cabin fever try this

A couple of sliced limes along with two or 3 teaspoons of coconut extract

Don’t stop there get creative

Think about:

• Allspice
• Anise (or star anise for more potency)
• Apple pie spice and try adding your favorite spiced tea to the water.

You can also take all of the ingredients, and toss them into a sealed Mason jar or something recycled. Or try a clove-studded orange.

Keep it on the shelf or give it away as a gift:-)

Best

MitchR