Tiny black flies

[janew]

I've just gone out to feed the boys and noticed that there are loads of tiny black flies in Spike and J's hutches (not Smudge's). I've always noticed the odd one or two, but there seems to be more now in their bedding areas. They are due a clean out which will be done in the morning, but they get regularly spot cleaned and fresh bedding throughout the week.

I can't get a picture of them, but they are really small - about 3mm long - and black with clear wings. I don't know if its a coincidence, but I opened a fresh bag of hay this week.

The boys don't seem bothered or affected by them, I've just given them all a thorough check over. I've also just changed a load of the bedding in their hutches.

Does anyone else get these little flies? I'm going out to buy some fly papers tomorrow, after I've cleaned them out.

Eeww, I feel all itchy now just thinking about them!

 

[Bekki]

as a precaution personally id chuck the hay and buy something like gorgeous guineas bugs be gone :-)

thats just what id do though

 

[Hermes]

I'd guess at them being fruit flies, fungus gnats or something similar. I wouldn't think the hay was the source, they're probably just living in the dirty substrate of the cage. These things reproduce incredibly quickly in decaying plant matter/fungus, especially in warm, humid weather. They are harmless so no need to worry too much. I'd just give the cages a really thorough clean when you're noticing a lot of them. You can use insecticidal sprays (containing permethrin) marketed for pet use on the cage/bedding but obviously be wary of using too much and don't spray it on hay/food (check the instructions first). Fly paper also contains insecticide so make sure the guineas can't get to it (though I guess you'll make sure of that anyway). Or as the above post suggested just get the Bugs Be Gone powder from GG which contains Neem.