mozzies

[somebunny]

hi everyone, well it’s spring time here in sydney; the mozzies are starting to come out and i was just wondering if anyone has any tips on how repel mosquitos from their bunnies?

she is inside but her house is in a back room right near the back door (which does have a fly screen) ..but i just wondered if there’s any extra steps i can take incase the odd mozzie somehow flies inside.

also, there are alot of funny bugs around my house so are there any other types of bugs that may not be good for bunnies?

[osprey]

I think that no matter how vigilant you are, some mosquitos will get into your house occasionally. Other than keeping the screens closed as much as possible, there isn’t much more you can do. I guess you could put mosquito netting around their living space if there are lots of bugs getting in. Are you getting bitten alot? If not, then there are probably not that many bugs getting in.

The insects that I know of that cause problems for rabbits are blowflys (these cause Fly Strike), fleas, ticks, mosquitos.

[RabbitPam]

Just an idea: can you move her, and her cage, into another room for a few minutes and go outside and bug spray the OUTSIDE of the door and walls? My thought is to repel the bugs from the exterior of the house, and kill some nests, so they aren’t so attracted to it. I know that won’t last, but maybe would help before some of them nest. Then after the smell is gone move her stuff back in. Just being cautious so her stuff inside doesn’t get any airborne spray on it.

We have exterminators here who have “pet safe” chemicals they use, but not sure it’s for mosquitoes.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’ve read that you can use a drier sheet to protect pets from mosquitos since mosquito spray with deet isn’t safe for them. Just rub the drier sheet on them and it repels mosquitos!

[Beka27]

isn’t there a myxi vacc. that’s available? is this something you can get in AUS?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

No they can’t get a myxi vac in Aussie as it’s against the law, they don’t want the resistance being transferred to the ferral rabbits, as myxi is designed to kill them…

[bunnytowne]

geraniums and citronella plants and candles repel mosquitos I believe marigolds do too. I am pretty sure geraniums are not good for rabbits to eat.  you can check on house rabbit society to be sure of the other plants mentioned.

I plant marigolds with my tomatoes and it helps a lot to repel bugs.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Good one BT!!!

Marigolds are also yummy and safe for bunnies to eat!!

[Scarlet_Rose]

I find that lavender works well too. My other suggestion would be to purchase a small (or large) bug zapper. I don’t know if you have them in Oz, they are an electrical unit you hang outside, plug in and the black light attracts them and ZAP! They are toast. Also be sure to check around your yard and such for stagnant water – breeding ground for mosquitos, and plop one of those “dunks” in there to prevent their larvae from hatching.

[jerseygirl]

Yep, Try keep plants around that repel mozzies but keep out of reach of bun if not edilble.

Sadly, as K&K said, we do not have myxi vacc available here! There is some campaigning though to allow for pet rabbits to be vaccinated but there’s some complication with that. Can’t remember what it is though!

Naz, make sure Hershey is up to date with Calici vacc though as the virus has just been re-released.

[Balefulregards]

I plant Lemon Balm too – as it has similar citronella properties.

[somebunny]

cool, thanks for the ideas guys! so it would be ok to get some pot plants or something (as long as they are kept out of reach)?

jerseygirl, hershey got her needle about 1 month ago, is that recent enough?

[Beka27]

that’s right, the feral rabbit problem in AUS… well, everyone else had great ideas also.

[Author]

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