Pets Arresting in the Nest

 

A Sussex University study looked at the pet hairs, used by Blue and Great tits, to line their nests. In every nest examined, the lining hairs were contaminated with insecticides. These were chemical treatments, given to pets, for flea and tick infestations. These insecticides resulted, however, in the deaths of some chicks, being reared in the nests (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/27/pet-fur-found-in-songbird-nests-contains-high-levels-of-pesticides-study-finds). This appears to be yet another pressure on UK garden birds. Many vets apparently advocate routinely treating cats and dogs with anti-flea powders even when the animal is uninfested. The authors of the Sussex study, suggest limiting powder application to  pets with fleas or ticks. Responsible owners might also think about trying to reduce the access of garden birds to treated pet hairs.