Pesky Red Mites

[Cavywavy]

Can red mites affect guinea pigs? Our piggies live outside in their new wooden pig house & I have noticed the odd red mite inside their house now & tWe used to keep chickens & I know what a problem red mite can be to birds! Haven't noticed piggies itching or any skin probs ( just makes me itch seeing the little red ! Lol!) I clean the cage every 3 days & using Beaphar hutch cleaner.

 

[helen105281]

I am not too sure to be honest, maybe @Wiebke will know.

 

[Wiebke]

Red spieder mites are not guinea pig specific skin parasites, but on the other hand, you don't want them around. I just found some weaving a nest to some C&C grids in my living room! it seems to be their year...

If the mites and other insects are a persistent problem, then you may want to spray your hutch with a specific small animal insecticidal spray while they are out on the lawn (or in the house) for a few hours. Please don't use a dog or cat one; that can be fatal.

For antibacterial and antifungal deep clean and disinfecting, we recommend F10, as it is the only disinfectant that also kills ringworm spores. It is not something you want to do more than once a month or every frew months, but I have found it very handy to have in the house.

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

This link provides a more specific response.

http://www.justanswer.co.uk/veterinary/7tn68-red-mites-chickens-onto-guinea-pigs-laid.html

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks, @MintyAndGarry (TEAS)! As we haven't got any chickens nearby, I have never come across red mites before. They are also not mentioned in the regular lists of skin parasites.

 

[Cavywavy]

Many thanks for clarifying this. The piggie house was newly built so no chickens have previously used it & of course at this time of year, you start to see the appearance of all the garden bugs, parasites etc good & bad! I'll just be vigilant when checking the pig house! Didn't like the thought of my piggies having hitch hikers on their back!