Maggots!!

[bunnygirl]

You’re all going to think I’m a horrible bunny owner, but here’s the story…

Okay, it’s been 2 days since I cleaned Apollo out, and he’s been really messy recently so I decided to do another full cage clean, and when I emptied his litter tray, these tiny reddish brown pellets were stuck in the corners. I emptied them all out of course and wiped the tray out, and upon a quick google search, I have learnt they are Tachinid Fly Pupa. So basically, the maggots are alive, and within a few hours, they turn into these red-brown pellets, and after a week, the fly appears. I’m horrified that there was maggots in his tray, and I’ve pledged to clean it out every day now, because I know they can cause serious harm for the bunny. I’m just wondering if anyone has experience with flies around their buns, and what they do to keep them away?

We never used to have this problem because not only does Apollo live indoors, but the fly screen was always shut. However, since we got Charlie (Jack Russell) the back door has to be constantly open so he can get out to pee (there was a huge fiasco training him to pee outside, and now, if he can’t get out there, he will just go and pee on the floor, instead of scratching the door etc) so what do you guys suggest I do? I don’t want any more maggots in his tray!

[Roberta]

There is a small dog/cat flap that can be attached to a screen door. It might be the best solution to keep the flies out. What sort of litter are you using at the moment ? I switched to wood pellets and hay just recently instead of the hay paper combo. Also some herbs will repel flies and I am wondering if adding some dried herbs may help. Mean while check Apollos bottom frequently to make sure there is no fly strike and consider monthly doses of Revolution. You can offset the cost by purchasing the bigger dosage ampules for cats or dogs and administering it to his neck with a small oral syringe, I have the chart for measuring out the dosages based on the selamectin solution strength.

[Roberta]

http://www.getridoffliesguide.com/herbs-to-get-rid-of-flies-naturally/

[bunnygirl]

Talked to parentals about a doggie door, they think it’s something we could look into. I’m wondering if a mozzie net might be a good idea? Just treated Apollo with Advantage, bit worried about fly strike to be honest

[bunnygirl]

Oh and I’m still on paper/hay combo. Where do you get your wood pellets?

[Roberta]

switched to Oz-Pet, they had the 15 kg bag on special recently at Pet Professionals.

[bunnygirl]

Okay. No more flies in Apollos cage so far, so fingers crossed we can keep them away, especially now we’re going into winter. I may switch to wood pellets though, how long does a 15kg bag last you?

[Deleted User]

Hey Kate – sorry that I only just came across your thread, I would have been disappointed if I had of missed it completely.

I’m sure you remember I have always had 3 dog’s which live freely within our home 24/7, no differently to Henry. We’ve had our dog’s all our married life and for every home we have lived in, we have had doggy doors installed so the dog’s have no excuse for toileting inside, I won’t stand for it! Lol! And the other thing I can NOT tolerate is flies inside – GASP!!! I am so bad, I have a can of fly spray on my desk and have been know to empty half a can on one fly, ha ha ha! And if someone visits and leaves the screen door open, I almost have a fit! Yes, I despise flies that badly, ha ha!

So, what I suggest is get the doggy door – they are brilliant! I have two in our home, one in the family/dining room and another in our bedroom. I also use Mortein’s ‘NatureGard’ – I have the indoor AND outdoor auto spray set up that I use when required. It sprays a mist every few seconds to control flies, along with the good old can of NatureGard that I can grab if I see an offending fly inside. It’s safe for kid’s and pet’s, so I never have to worry about using it around the dog’s or Henry.

I hope this helps Kate. Cheers, Andi.

PS – How funny??? I use shredded paper and cheap hay from the produce for Henry’s litter toooo! Lol! Is this an Aussie thing???
Henry never eats his hay from the litter tray – he eats his hay in his house and never poops while eating, ha ha ha ha!

[Roberta]

Hi Kate, It lasts quite a while and I am using it for 5/9 bunnies. They also have smaller trays now (though when I say trays I mean KMart BBQ tupperware that separates and makes two ideal bunny trays.) I use one or two sheets of paper on the bottom cover with a single lose layer of pellets and put hay on top. They aren’t heavy so 15kg is a BIG bag.

[Author]

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