Currently dealing with some sort of fly infestation

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This topic has 8sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 1 month ago by kanin.

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- 05/02/2021 at 7:39 PM
  kanin
  Participant
  139 posts
  We’ve been keeping the doors and windows open a lot lately and frankly I’m paying the price for it. They started out in the kitchen but congregated to the bunny room, and they seem to be super attracted to their litter boxes. The weird thing is that they look like fruit flies but they prefer the litter boxes over the apple cider vinegar traps I’ve put out. I also put out yellow sticky traps and nothing. I also put out window sticky traps and nothing. I also put out an actual bug zapper and nothing. Only the litter boxes and my black window curtains are where they like to hang out. I’m going absolutely insane! Has anyone ever dealt with litter box flies!??!? What the heck do I dooooo. Of course I’ve been cleaning the litter boxes out religiously as well so that no eggs laid in there can hatch. They’re driving my bunnies absolutely nuts and I feel so bad. SOS.
- 05/03/2021 at 6:48 PM
  kanin
  Participant
  139 posts
  I just wanted to update in case this helps anyone else, but I read lavender repels fruit flies so after cleaning their litterboxes I mixed lavender (like actual dried lavender, not essential oil) with the litter and it’s helped a ton! No more flies buzzing around my children’s heads. I guess this experience kind of negates the notion that fruit flies aren’t attracted to bunny litter.
- 05/03/2021 at 7:34 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  Oh that’s really good to know!
  
  What type of litter do you use?
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 05/03/2021 at 7:50 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17112 posts
  Fruit flies and gnats love litter… cat litter, rabbit litter, it’s all the same. You could try making a trap by putting rotting fruit in a jar, covering the opening with plastic wrap and then poking fruit fly-sized holes in the wrap.
- 05/03/2021 at 8:19 PM
  kanin
  Participant
  139 posts
  Yeah I tried the fruit trap with bananas and it only caught two of them. I read multiple sources that said fruit flies shouldn’t be attracted to the litter and they were suggesting that they could be fungus gnats instead but that wasn’t the case here. Everyone was raving about apple cider vinegar traps but these guys just weren’t having it!
  
  I use wood pellet litter. I know it’s a popular choice around here so be wary everyone! I can’t handle bugs, they skeeve me out so much.
  
  I feel like my bunnies are scratching their ears a lot more since this started. Is it possible for them to have gotten mites from them or something?
- 05/03/2021 at 9:59 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17112 posts
  I wouldn’t think so. Fruit flies aren’t known for carrying mites. Well… at least not the type of mites that would feed on mammals.
  
  Could you try a different litter? Maybe paper-based would smell less aromatic?
- 05/04/2021 at 5:44 PM
  prince dorian the bun
  Participant
  773 posts
  Oh will have to remember the lavender idea! Not been an issue, but in the summer I do have times when the fruit flies are a tad abundant.
- 05/04/2021 at 8:29 PM
  kanin
  Participant
  139 posts
  I’m not too worried about this type of litter. In the 5+ years I’ve used it this is the first time this has happened. Just gotta be more diligent about cleaning I guess… sucks to feel like I can’t open windows anymore though.
  
  Unfortunately it’s already summer here in Florida (heat index was 99 degrees today!) so flies of all kinds are out in full force. 🙃 Yaaaay
- 05/05/2021 at 4:44 AM
  kanin
  Participant
  139 posts
  So the flies are all gone from the bunny room now, it lasted about 5 days. The bunnies are still scratching their ears and faces a lot and now Fresno’s right eye is watery. I’ll be making a vet appointment but in the meantime I’ll just post here and freak out about it as per usual. 🥴
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