Hay

[Jo83]

Hello
Hoping someone can help!
I’ve noticed tonight some mites (I’m guessing) crawling over the boys hay box, it’s from Timothyhay.co.uk They we’re really really tiny, not sure how I even noticed them.
I have noticed the boys scratching a bit lately but have been checking them & as yet haven’t seen any visable signs of them, I’ve ordered some new hay from Haybox but wondering will these mites cause the pigs any issues? I know you can’t see hay mites so I’m guessing that’s not what this is but should I treat them with Xeno now just incase or just keep an eye on them? Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

Hello
Hoping someone can help!
I’ve noticed tonight some mites (I’m guessing) crawling over the boys hay box, it’s from Timothyhay.co.uk They we’re really really tiny, not sure how I even noticed them.
I have noticed the boys scratching a bit lately but have been checking them & as yet haven’t seen any visable signs of them, I’ve ordered some new hay from Haybox but wondering will these mites cause the pigs any issues? I know you can’t see hay mites so I’m guessing that’s not what this is but should I treat them with Xeno now just incase or just keep an eye on them? Thanks

Hi!

Mites are not visible to the naked eye. The only visible skin parasite are pale lice. It may be rather likely that these are just some other bugs that have hatched in the hay but are not guinea pig parasites. It can occasionally happen. Take a picture and contact the seller for a refund.

However, without a picture I can only guess and cannot comment.

Here is our information on guinea pig specific skin parasites (they only have got three): https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...-problems-uri-ringworm-skin-parasites.164633/

 

[Jo83]

Hi!

Mites are not visible to the naked eye. The only visible skin parasite are pale lice. It may be rather likely that these are just some other bugs that have hatched in the hay but are not guinea pig parasites. It can occasionally happen. Take a picture and contact the seller for a refund.

However, without a picture I can only guess and cannot comment.

Here is our information on guinea pig specific skin parasites (they only have got three): https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...-problems-uri-ringworm-skin-parasites.164633/

Thank you it’s really difficult to get a good picture as they’re so small but I’ve tried.
So I shouldn’t have to treat them then? I’ll obviously keep my eye on them though just incase.

 

[Claire W]

I saw some of those once on the window sill in my piggies room. Whether they came in on the hay or not is anyone’s guess but I didn’t have to treat my piggies

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you it’s really difficult to get a good picture as they’re so small but I’ve tried.
So I shouldn’t have to treat them then? I’ll obviously keep my eye on them though just incase.

They are likely tiny beetles but they won't affect your piggies and you do not need to treat them.

 

[Jo83]

That’s a relief thanks both