Question:
I've heard that peanuts can be poisonous to squirrels. They are in the birdseed I put out in my yard, and squirrels and my two dogs sometimes eat them. Please advise.
D.L., Flint, MI Nov 28, 2004
Answer:
Peanuts and other food materials can become contaminated by various molds, the most common of which produces aflatoxin. This can make animals extremely ill and can even be fatal.So make sure you purchase your birdseed mix from a reputable company, and if it looks moldy or smells rancid do not use it. Store the mix in an airtight container, and routinely sanitize birdseed dispensers with a rinse of bleach followed by a thorough wash with clean water. This will also help reduce the spread of disease from dirty dispensers, which some experts believe is an overlooked problem in backyard bird (and squirrel) feeding.
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