soy wax candle question

[PurpleLovinRN]

Hi everyone!

I have a question about these candles that I just bought off QVC.

Can I use them in my house, or are they bad for Peaches?

This is what I bought........
Old Virginia Candles are made with premium fragrance and a quality soy wax blend for a clean and long-lasting burn. Lead-free wicks.

If I can't use these...what brand of candles can I use?

Thanks, Lisa :happy:

[PurpleLovinRN]

anyone?

[Mummieeva]

The fragrence is what will bother them mainly. I miss buring my scented candles so much.lol.



Steph

[Janie]

Lisa, I'm not sure what the answer is but I don't use anything that has a fragrance, period. The wicks sound fine but not the fragrance.

[Christine9]

Not really sure on the answer to that, but I did get this website off another forum http://www.windscents.com/index.php Apparently the candles on that site are safe to burn around birds because they are made of a 100% blended vegetable based wax, and not a paraffin or petroleum based wax. So I would assume that a soy based was would be safe as well, but don't quote me on that. Maybe someone else can clarify.

[Lindades264]

Here is a quote from parrotparrot.com

Warnings about Dangers & Toxins for Owners of Parrots and Other Birds


Scented candles or any candles with oils used to scent them: A woman put three different fragrances of Glade candles in various rooms. Birds were in each of these rooms. The birds died within a few minutes of lighting the candles.

[Janie]

Here is a quote from parrotparrot.com

Warnings about Dangers & Toxins for Owners of Parrots and Other Birds


Scented candles or any candles with oils used to scent them: A woman put three different fragrances of Glade candles in various rooms. Birds were in each of these rooms. The birds died within a few minutes of lighting the candles.

That is exactly why I've stopped using any candles with fragrances. Not worth the risk.

[Z28Taxman]

Those glade candles about kill me. I wouldn't even think of making Ditto smell them. :x

I only use unscented candles here if I burn them at all. Of course Ditto is not out of the cage then, don't need a flaming birdy flying around. I will sometimes light a small uncented candle and put it on my desk which is on the other side of the room from Ditto's cage with all the lights off except the one above his cage. He will sit and stare at it like he's hypnotized. Even after the light goes off he'll just sit and stare.

[PurpleLovinRN]

Thank you so much for all your replies.

So, birds cannot tolerate any kind of fragrance? I'm so confused! Can we use any kind of scented candles? Or, scents in general for your home.

I use febreeze, but only upstair....

Can I used my scented candles upstairs?

Lisa

[Janie]

Lisa, I wear perfume every day of my life. It certainly doesn't appear to bother my birds and if it were deadly to them, they would already have died ages ago so......it's hard to say what a fragrance will do to an individual bird. I do have a scented candle in my bedroom which is upstairs (lovies are in a bird room downstairs) and far from my birds. I don't burn it often but occasionally at night. I used to burn my favorite candle, Cinnabun, in my family room. That was the strongest odor/fragrance I've ever smelled (my dog actually tried to eat it!) and I am sure that Oliver got a whiff of that one a time or two but I did get rid of those candles a few months after I adopted him. I also use Febreze, in all of the bedrooms but never in a room where the birds are. There were reports a few years ago that Febreze would kill a dog/cat, totally false. Same thing about those Swiffer wet mops which I used on my hardwood floors in the kitchen while Oliver's cage was there. I don't know how a birds respiratory system would react so I don't use Febreze anywhere they'll be. Unfortunately there is no way to be sure what will harm a bird and what might harm or kill one would not affect another. I have read repeatedly that paint thinners and oil based paints are deadly. The one time I had to use "Kiltz" on the ceiling of the room where Oliver slept, I kept him out of the room for 2 days and left the windows open and ceiling fan on. I also had to do some silicone caulking in the bird room last spring and did move them to another room for 24 hours.

[Christine9]

So, birds cannot tolerate any kind of fragrance? I'm so confused! Can we use any kind of scented candles? Or, scents in general for your home.

Yeah, I am a little confused now, too, because I always thought it was what the candle was made with, not the fact that they contain fragrances. Plus, I am sure there is a difference between something that will bother them and something that will kill them. Personally, I do have scented Yankee candles in my house. I rarely ever burn them, but when I do, I make sure the bird room door is shut, and I air out the other room before I open the bird room door- just to be on the safe side.

I should probably add that years ago I used to use Glade Plug-ins in the same room my tiels were in (before I had a bird room), and they are still alive today. Of course, the plug-ins probably aren't as potent and strong as those Glade candles. And they were in an open room (my living room at the time).

[Mummieeva]

Yes, Strong fragrances can harm them. it can get into their nares and lungs. You are very lucky the plug-ins did not harm them. Natural scents like boiling cinnamon and vanilla are OK. Also cinnamon brooms are OK in house. The fumes can go through the vents in house also. I am overly cautious with my birds and if I burn anything it is in my bedroom,both doors closed,and i even block bird room vent and one in my room.



Steph

[Christine9]

You are very lucky the plug-ins did not harm them.

Yeah, I agree. I am guessing it was because of the open space and the fact that they were not directly near their cages or play areas.

[Janie]

I still think it depends on the bird and his individual system. I'm not suggesting that anyone use products that are dangerous to birds but I do know that Oliver lived in the room of a teenage girl (for six years) and he was exposed first hand to hair spray, candles, wall-paper remover, you name it. Two of his former owners lovies died from eating wall paper glue. Oliver's cage was filthy, his seed dishes and water dishes were never changed on a daily basis, etc. He did survive things that another lovebird might not live through for a week. You just never know so it is better to err on the side of caution. :)

[Christine9]

You just never know so it is better to err on the side of caution. :)

That's definitely how I feel about that- better to be safe, than sorry. As I mentioned, I used Plug-ins many years ago near my tiels, and nothing happened, but that doesn't mean it can't harm other birds. I just thought I would share this; I found it in the Lovebird Resource Library (by clicking on the Toys and Other Items That are Dangerous for Your Lovebird link):


PLUG-IN AIR FRESHENERS LINKED TO BIRD DEATHS

There have been some recent anecdotal reports that birds have died due to unexplained causes in homes in which plug-in air fresheners had recently been added. While a direct causal link cannot be made, it is recommended that birds not be exposed to fumes of any kind. Birds should be removed from a room before you use any type of spray cleaner. It is probably best for those who keep birds in their home not to use any device that releases a scent in the room, unless it is 100% natural. A natural way to remove odors from a room is to burn dried sage. This is not the same as sage used for cooking. It is a special sage specifically used for "smudging" and it can be found in new age or Native American shops. It smells wonderful. Obviously, don't burn large amounts close to your bird as it does produce smoke!! Simply light a bit of it and wave it in the air, then put it out.

Just for future reference, it also mentions scented candles, household cleaners, etc., and has some interesting information on certain toys and things like happy huts, etc.; very informative and interesting article to read, if you guys get the chance. :)

[Lindades264]

Just to be safe, I use 'All Natural' Orange Mist air freshener and fragrance around the house. It contains no chemicals. I like to play it safe. If I know something can be dangerous, I just avoid it. I will not take the risk with my birds. I guess you need to decide what you can live with.