Help... Insects In Hay.. Again!

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Florrieberry

Florrieberry

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Few months back I got a bale of hay from a farm shop and half way through discovered small insects in the hay tray, which led me to discover same in the bale which I then binned. Went onto Lunnun for a while (more expensive} then found another farm where I was getting hay for a while, tho find it smells quite strongly and sets off my hay fever badly. Took piggies to board and they had quite nice hay, like half a bale in a plain plastic wrapper, bought from a pet wholesaler, supposedly dust extracted , great for my allergy, so I ordered a large 12k bag for £12 (supposed to sell apparently for £17). Guess what, halfway through, found little crawlies. It had been kept indoors not in shed, so nothing has got in since purchase. It's driving me demented! How can I find hay which isn't a hideous price without the crawlies ? Is this normal? What are they? I've tried googling but to no avail. Two different suppliers yet more crawlies. The lunnun hay never had any, but that's a tad expensive. Please, can anyone explain? Thanks
 
Isn't it mites that you find I hay?

I think I'd have heart failure if I ever find any in my piggies hay! I've always been lucky though, I just get hay from petsathome and I e never had a problem.. Fingers crossed it stays that wY!
 
Galaxy&nibbles said:
Isn't it mites that you find I hay?

I think I'd have heart failure if I ever find any in my piggies hay! I've always been lucky though, I just get hay from petsathome and I e never had a problem.. Fingers crossed it stays that wY!
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Not sure what they are, some are small and black, some are very tiny and paler. Thought I had found some nice hay this time as well :-(
 
I've never come across any bugs where my piggies are concerned, so hopefully someone else will be able to help you better! Sorry you e had another disappointing bale!
 
Could be comon wevels, they are tiny beatles , usualy with brown scin,
They can be found were ever there is grain or grain or rice products , and are
Harmless , unless you count the small amounts of grain they eat

Personaly l think they are kinda cute :whistle:
 
gizzy said:
Could be comon wevels, they are tiny beatles , usualy with brown scin,
They can be found were ever there is grain or grain or rice products , and are
Harmless , unless you count the small amounts of grain they eat

Personaly l think they are kinda cute :whistle:
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Just don't like the idea of them breeding and taking over the piggy cage... Euw!
 
Florrieberry said:
Just don't like the idea of them breeding and taking over the piggy cage... Euw!
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me neither ! You've had bad luck having this problem twice . If I found bugs in any hay I had - I wouldn't give it to my pigs . I 'd let the supplier know too.
 
Lol, l undersand your concern , but there is little chance of that
Grain wevels are only a problem to the grain industry that has hoppers full of grain :tu:
 
PiggyOwner said:
me neither ! You've had bad luck having this problem twice . If I found bugs in any hay I had - I wouldn't give it to my pigs . I 'd let the supplier know too.
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Yes, I phoned the owner of the boarding kennels to cancel the next bag ordered and he said he'd mention it to the suppliers as it is supposed to be dust extracted. Shame, it was great for my hay fever.
 
You would think the tiny little bugs would have been Extracted to if it's dust extracted. I've had this problem once, I changed hays and since then everything has been fine.
 
I had a hay more infestation at the beginning of the year and since then all my hay takes a trip through the freezer for 24 hrs before it goes to the boys just to make sure there is nothing living in it.
 
You are likely to find bugs in any hay if you look close enough, whether dust extracted or not. It's dried grass from a field when all is said and done.
 
AbiS said:
I had a hay more infestation at the beginning of the year and since then all my hay takes a trip through the freezer for 24 hrs before it goes to the boys just to make sure there is nothing living in it.
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I didn't think pigs could eat anything that had been frozen as it changes the molecular structure which is why they cant have frozen veggies.
 
piggie smitten said:
I didn't think pigs could eat anything that had been frozen as it changes the molecular structure which is why they cant have frozen veggies.
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Not sure of the exact science but I think that as the hay is dry with no water content its structure is not changed once frozen. I know that it is an acceptable method of killing bugs. The other option is to microwave it but it is highly likely that I would burn the house down doing that!
 
AbiS said:
Not sure of the exact science but I think that as the hay is dry with no water content its structure is not changed once frozen. I know that it is an acceptable method of killing bugs. The other option is to microwave it but it is highly likely that I would burn the house down doing that!
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Ah I see! That makes sense about the water content, I hadn't thought of that.
 
Ding said:
You are likely to find bugs in any hay if you look close enough, whether dust extracted or not. It's dried grass from a field when all is said and done.
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Don't think they should be crawling around in the hay tray though. In one handful of hay from the bag I counted 10-12! The odd one I can understand, but if they started breeding 10 insects could become.....
Aaaagh too many!
 
I too have never had this problem but I kerp it in a plastic lidded box that keeps it sealed and fresh and would properly kill any bugs with lack of oxygen. could you fill a box leave it a day or so use it then keep re filing from bale?
 
Yes I admit that I have never had hay that I have noticed any little critters in even if they might be in there. I would not use the hay if I saw any to be honest.

I have used lots of different brands and types to feed 3 rabbits and 8 piggies so we go through a lot.

I would suggest taking it back to the place of purchase and show them so that they can look into it and ask for your money back.
 
Tbh I'm surprised it's so common. I had horses for last 12yrs, buns for 6yrs and I've now got piggies and I have never had visible bugs/creepy crawlies in any of my hay.

I have had other things like bones and a dead mouse, as obviously hay is from a field and these things can happen in any bale (including expensive dust extracted brands) but I havent had and wouldn't ever expect lots of visible bugs.

Have you tried an actual farm, rather than farm shop? They vary greatly so go and have a look before you pay but find the right farm and the hay will be brilliant.
 
Cavy_lover said:
Tbh I'm surprised it's so common. I had horses for last 12yrs, buns for 6yrs and I've now got piggies and I have never had visible bugs/creepy crawlies in any of my hay.

I have had other things like bones and a dead mouse, as obviously hay is from a field and these things can happen in any bale (including expensive dust extracted brands) but I havent had and wouldn't ever expect lots of visible bugs.

Have you tried an actual farm, rather than farm shop? They vary greatly so go and have a look before you pay but find the right farm and the hay will be brilliant.
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Thank you. It's finding the right farm, bit hit & miss!
 
Hmmm, interesting one(rubs chin thoughtfully). Does anybody know if steaming hay would kill off everything? But then I suppose it would be slightly damp and that would encourage mould spores:mal:.
 
AuntyC said:
Hmmm, interesting one(rubs chin thoughtfully). Does anybody know if steaming hay would kill off everything? But then I suppose it would be slightly damp and that would encourage mould spores:mal:.
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You can safely steam hay - it is done for some horses. However, you loose nutrients and its left quite wet - so fine to put straight in a horses haynet to be eaten over the following 12hrs or so.
But not for a Guinea pig or other small animal who'd suffer from the dampness of it. Also if you tried to dry it back out I'm fairly certain you'd end up with mould.
 
Florrieberry said:
Thank you. It's finding the right farm, bit hit & miss!
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Always ask to check the bale first - just say they are really fussy guinea pigs. Also some farms will allow you to cut a bale open to check the middle (so worth asking) - obviously you'd need strong bags or storage boxes to put the slices in as its harder to transport once the strings are cut.
 
Kerrie74 said:
Aww I'm all itchy now hehe.

I had a batch last year and 4 of our boars got mites from it *sigh*
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I am just trying to evict the mites on my two @Kerrie74 how did you treat yours? and how long before hair grew back? I've just put some shampoo on them on Sunday and this week going to use spot-on treatment.
 
Fizzbomb290 said:
I am just trying to evict the mites on my two @Kerrie74 how did you treat yours? and how long before hair grew back? I've just put some shampoo on them on Sunday and this week going to use spot-on treatment.
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Well it was the nurse at the vets that saw them when we went to get their nails clipped last year, she saw them on Snow and then did a tape test. They gave us treatment for them, they had to have a pip every two weeks for 6 weeks, so three pipettes.

Your best bet is to take them to the vets so you can get a proper diagnoses, some advice and medication for them. The forum mods/admins say not to treat on spec and to always get them diagnosed at a vet :)

Snow and Storm did get them again and Snow went off to the vets who confirmed it after trying to contradict my son and wasting 15 minutes to check him over :hb: They are all clear now.
 
Kerrie74 said:
Your best bet is to take them to the vets so you can get a proper diagnoses, some advice and medication for them. The forum mods/admins say not to treat on spec and to always get them diagnosed at a vet :)
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I agree with take to the vets. Once any animal actually has an infestation, vets will eliminate them far easier, as they can use much stronger formulations. Also if there's fur loss from scratching/rubbing on things, the vets may give or recommend something to stop the itching that can come from the fur loss itself.
 
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