Cleaning yard

[buggymuffin]

We are moving and the people moving into our old home are concerned about contamination in the yard from our ducks. We have a 30' x 30' fenced area they are allowed to forage in during the day. There are six ducks, so they have lots of room. How do I clean this area so that children/animals aren't exposed to salmonella, etc. that may be present in the droppings? Can I just hose it down really well or is there some kind of disinfectant I should be using?

 

[jonhpdx]

Can you really get Salmonella from duck droppings, let alone droppings that have been on the ground for months on end? If so that would suck. I've never heard of duck "contamination" before, just duck fertilization. Their poop is amazing for the soil.

 

[buggymuffin]

I have lived in areas where large flocks of wild waterfowl (ducks/geese) have taken up permanent residence and it is unhealthy to be around the large quantity of droppings. I am just not sure about a smaller population where the droppings have been rinsed into the soil. I am thinking it would be fine once everything is broken down and rinsed into the soil. Plus there will be about a month between when we move and when the new people move in, but as they are the property owners and we are renters I want to make sure that we have done everything necessary to clean up after ourselves.

 

[jonhpdx]

I would say if we're talking about droppings a). already in the ground and b). given weeks/months to degrade away, you're going to be fine. That's just me though, and I really have no scientific claim to that. It's just what I would probably do in that situation.

 

[Amiga]

I'll offer two thoughts. One is, can you get a fecal test done to find out if your ducks have salmonella in the first place?

Second, this seems to be the state of the science about salmonella, including the educated guesses about how long salmonella can remain active outside the body.

http://www.news-medical.net/health/Salmonella-What-is-Salmonella.aspx

I think there is a whole lot of "it depends" about it.

 

[johari]

Lime attached to a hose, spray in the area where the ducks had been. It'll "sterilize" the entire area. I did that before we moved out from our last place (dog poop). It's essential to mix it with the water though. In too high of a concentration it will kill grass.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

About bacteria: I think I was told once that the Salmonella is just "there", as in present and part of the life cycle of both reptiles and poultry. But I'm not a Biologist. While I myself have concerns about germs and bugs and nasties in general, I have a philosophy that some bugs we need in order to have properly functioning immune systems. And we can take commen sense approaches, too, wearing only our "dedicated coop boots" only in the coop and not in the kitchen, hand washing, and general sanitation all will reduce the risks. All that being said, I think the lime application makes great sense, thinking about how lime is used in agriculture and gardening in general. Johari-- more info on your application technique please. I've seen the powdered lime for sale in the bags, what strength % are you mixing? (hope I've asked that the right way!) And finally one last thought about germs in the natural environment: Many years ago when I had little human kids, I once had a discussion about the kids and swimming in pools with another parent. In pools, those swim diapers were required absolutely. In a lake, meh, there's so many natural bacteria in a lake, especially a big lake, that I wouldn't be overly concerned. So back to the wanting to leave the property in good condition: commendable and responsible, good for you. I'd make things neat and tidy, but as long as there are no icky piles or anything, well I probly wouldn't stress much, especially if you do a lime application. Bacterial lives in soil. That's why we wash our hands before we eat!

 

[johari]

I just got one of those things that you attach to a hose to spread fertilizer, put about a cup of lime in and sprayed the whole yard. It may have been less than a cup. I think there were directions on it.