Ok this is gross

[Lani]

I just found a HUGE roach in the bunny room.  We live in a somewhat older house and are surrounded by lots of trees (some would say we live in the boonies) so we do occaisionally get bugs, mostly ants, and a sometimes a roach or beetle of some sort. Well this wasn’t just the occaisional bug, this thing was a monster.  It was hiding behind one of Oreo’s boxes in her running area, not in her actual condo. To my surprise, she didn’t even seem to notice it when it crawled across the floor attempting to escape me, even though it went right past her.

So I’m cleaning as much as I possibly can tonight and will do a complete overhaul cleaning of her room in the morning. I’d really really like to completely disinfect but I know I can’t use bleach. I’ve heard that dish soap is bunny safe? Any other strong disinfectants that I can safely use? I usually vaccuum everything out once a week since Oreo likes to scatter her hay all over the room and “graze” but maybe I’ll just have to vaccuum every night now and sacrifice the spilled hay?

This might seem like a silly question but would roaches eat pellets or hay? I’m hoping that maybe I just dropped a treat and that’s what attracted it to the room…and not something that will keep attracting roaches, like her hay. Also, are there any rabbit safe ways to kill roaches/keep them out? I’m assuming it’s safe to use roach motels/pesticides in other areas of the house that Oreo will never come in contact with, mainly the first floor since she isn’t ever allowed down there?

Lastly, should I be worried about the roach carrying some sort of disease that might make Oreo sick? I’m in that room for several hours per day so I don’t think that roach could’ve been there longer than just today but you never know with those darn things. I’m worried that it might have carried something into the room and she could have somehow come in contact with it already.

 

[TaraMichele]

one thing I can tell you about roaches is that they like eating glue used in some cardboard boxes…also I remember growing up I lived in a home surrounded by woods and we would get the occasional roach, but were able to keep it controlled without an exterminator..just watch any dark damp places…especially if you have a crawl space.

[Huckleberry]

We found a paste made by black flag that worked wonders! We used it as calk and put it along every tight space, corner and seam between the edging boards and the walls and behind the electrical panels (like light switch covers and outlet covers). It works really well. When we found the stuff, we were so happy because all of our neighbors had roaches all over the place but we never saw one while we lived in that apartment.
It would, without a doubt, be toxic to your bunny if you put it down where Oreo could lick it but if you use it above his reach and behind electrical panels (which is a favorite place for roaches) then you should take care of any potential problems and keep him safe as well.
Good luck! Just seeing one gives you the creepy crawlies!

[Michelle&Lolli]

Vinegar is a cheap disinfectant/cleaner. Just dilute with water.

[Lani]

Posted By Michelle&Lolli on 05/26/2011 07:53 PM
Vinegar is a cheap disinfectant/cleaner. Just dilute with water.

 

Yeah I’ve used vinegar to clean out things like Oreo’s food bowls and such. I’d just really love to use something a little stronger given the situation, if I can do so without using somethind dangerous. From what I’ve read, the research is vague on how effective vinegar is an a disinfectant. But if I’m wrong please tell me, it would be wonderful to rely more on vinegar as a cleaning product!

[Michelle&Lolli]

Have you looked at Seventh Generation products?   I love their Free and Clear all purpose cleanser.  That stuff gets anything off EASILY.  I don’t think it’s a disinfectant though but they do make them.   Plus I like their products cause I have asthma and a lot cleaners aggravate me. 
 

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/

[Monkeybun]

I’m a fan of Simple Green when vinegar doesn’t cut it. Completely non toxic.

[Lani]

What about bunny safe repellants?

[Author]

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