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Nothing is more annoying than having flies in your home, especially when they are swarming around your guinea pigs and other small animals. But why do the flies behave in this manner? Do guinea pigs have a tendency to attract flies?Flystrike is a serious threat to the health of our guinea pigs. Flies are drawn to animal manure because it provides a safe environment for them to lay eggs and reproduce. Guinea pigs with a wet bottom or skin cracks are also among their primary prey, according to the group. The eggs will hatch into larvae within 2 hours, and the larvae will begin feeding on your guinea pigs.If you are keeping your guinea pigs in an outside hutch that is not properly maintained, it could be a significant attractant for flies, who prefer moist and odorous conditions.Fruit flies can also be attracted to stale vegetables and food if they are not removed in a timely manner.

Flies can be both irritating and potentially dangerous at the same time. Some flies can bite your guinea pigs and then feed on them, which is dangerous. I understand that it may sound a little strange, but they do bite our guinea pigs.

They look for areas with less fur, such as the eyes, ears, anus, and so on. They may even attack the skin that is cracked or dried in some cases. In addition to flies being attracted to moist, smelly environments, if your cage has these characteristics, it may be another reason for the flies’ attraction.

It must be our highest priority to eliminate flies from the cage area as well as our entire home, regardless of the reason for this. Our guinea pigs are at risk from a variety of pests, including flies.

So, in order to get rid of the flies, we must first understand why they are attracted to guinea pigs in the first place. Next, our team of experts will tackle the problem and figure out how to avoid it from happening again.

 

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What is it about guinea pigs that makes them so attractive to flies?

There are a variety of factors that can cause flies to congregate. It is unlikely that guinea pigs can attract flies on their own, as this is only possible if they are sick or injured.

The majority of the time, flies are drawn to the guinea pigs’ enclosure because of their scent. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons why guinea pigs are targeted by flies:

Skin that is cracked or dry

Guinea pigs suffering from a fungal infection typically have dry and cracked skin, which flies are attracted to because it is dry and cracked.

They go after the dry areas and bite our guinea pigs in order to obtain food for themselves. As a result, we must take precautions to keep our guinea pigs safe, especially when they are sick.

Bottom and fur are wet

If your guinea pigs are suffering from diarrhea or if their bedding is not absorbent, and their hair is becoming wet as a result of their own pee, this can be a significant attractant for flies, so keep an eye out for them.

Flies seek out such locations to lay their eggs, and they are capable of laying eggs on the bodies of your guinea pigs. These eggs will continue to develop into a maggot, which will then feed on your guinea pigs until they are killed.

Occasionally, such situations can be unpleasant, and we will need to take our guinea pigs to the veterinarian to ensure that they recover as quickly as possible.

Cage or litterbox that has not been maintained

The cage of your guinea pigs may become infested with flies if you do not spot clean it daily and perform the necessary weekly maintenance tasks properly.

Flystrike is a common occurrence in guinea pig enclosures because of the presence of animal manure as a breeding ground for the flies. In order to keep flies at bay, you must keep the cage clean and avoid any odors.

Vegetables that have gone bad

Fly attractants such as stale or uneaten vegetables and fruits left in the cage are one of the most significant sources of flies’ attraction.

When you serve your guinea pigs fresh vegetables or fruits, make sure to remove any uneaten portions within a few hours of serving to avoid wasting food.

If the food has been sitting out for several hours, it has effectively served as an open invitation for fruit flies to visit.

Bedding that has been wet

An additional significant attractant of flystrike can be wet bedding. If you are using hay or any other similar bedding that gets soaked either from pee or from water leakage from the bottles (which is a common cause), the flies will come and breed in that area.

Fly larvae thrive in this type of environment, and it is a wise decision to use high-quality bedding in the cage to avoid this type of situation.

Hutches that are damp and smelly

If you are keeping your guinea pigs outside in a hutch, you are probably already aware of how difficult it can be to keep the cage in good condition for them.

Most owners find it difficult to keep up with routine maintenance, and as a result, their guinea pig hutches become damp and smelly due to the pee and poop of their animals.

A large number of flies will undoubtedly take advantage of the fact that you are outside without protection and without performing such maintenance.

What kinds of flies are attracted to guinea pigs and why?

House flies, fruit flies, and other types of flies are some of the most common types of flies that can become attracted to your guinea pigs.

Although many other bugs, such as gnats, mosquitoes, and other insects, can become attracted to your guinea pigs, flies are among the most frequently encountered.

Please keep in mind that both fruit flies and common houseflies are equally dangerous to your guinea pigs and must be dealt with as such in your home.

Is hay a source of attraction for flies?

Yes, if the hay has become moist or wet as a result of urine or water, flies will undoubtedly be attracted to it and breed there. Always use a hay rack to provide hay to your guinea pigs when you are feeding them.

It will aid in the prevention of such occurrences. Additionally, using hay for bedding can be a cost-effective alternative, but it is not recommended.

As a result, choose a bedding that is super absorbent and of high quality for your guinea pigs’ enclosure.

What is the best way to get rid of flies in and around my guinea pig cage?

It can be difficult to get rid of flies in and around your guinea pig’s cage. Because guinea pigs have a keen sense of smell, it is not recommended that you use strong pest control sprays or chemicals on them. You’ll have to figure things out on your own, and I’ll be here to guide you through the process today.

*6 Tips for Preventing Fly Strikes*

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Before you read on, here are some supplies for your guinea pigs that have been hand-picked by our experts and that you should add to your wishlist right away:

Maintain the cleanliness of the cage

Keeping your guinea pigs’ cage clean is the most important thing you can do to keep the flies at bay. Dirt, litter, and leftover food are the three things that flies are most attracted to. It is necessary to thoroughly clean the cage in order to drive the flies away.

When it comes to cleaning the pen properly, you can use natural guinea pig-safe cleaner or just plain vinegar and water. If you clean your cage on a regular basis, the flies will almost certainly leave your cage alone.

To learn more about how to clean your guinea pig’s cage and get rid of the foul odor, please see our article for additional information.

Change your bedding on a regular basis

Guinea pig bedding is an essential component of the animal’s enclosure. Beddings are used to absorb pee and other waste, which helps to keep the cage clean. However, as time passes, the bedding begins to deteriorate and must be discarded.

If you continue to use soiled bedding, flies will almost certainly become attracted to your home. The removal of old bedding or the washing and reuse of old bedding are therefore high on the priority list for getting rid of flies.

Keep in mind that flies do not appreciate clean and orderly environments.

If you’d like to learn more about some of the best bedding options for your guinea pigs, I recommend that you read our article on the subject, which is available here.

Using high-quality leak-proof water bottles is recommended

A common source of flystrike is leaking water bottles, which are one of the most common causes. Some water bottles leak overnight, soaking the bedding in a pool of water. If you don’t take care of the situation at the appropriate time, then flystrike will unavoidably occur.

When it comes to guinea pig cages, a high-quality leak-proof water bottle is an absolute must. In addition, some people prefer to use water bowls rather than bottles.

The fact that it has a high likelihood of tipping over is something I would strongly advise against. Additionally, stagnant open water can serve as a breeding ground for a variety of insects.

Take a look at some of the leak-proof water bottles that are recommended for your guinea pigs.

It is important to place the cage in a well-ventilated area because

To get rid of flies, it is also beneficial to place the cage in an area that is well-ventilated. In addition to releasing ammonia into the atmosphere, the waste buildup serves as a significant fly attractant.

Proper ventilation will remove the harmful gas from the cage area, resulting in a reduction in the number of flies in the area.

Removing any leftover food from the kitchen

Waste food that has been left over frequently begins to decompose quickly. It is highly recommended that you remove any uneaten food from your guinea pig’s cage as soon as possible after it has been eaten.

If the food is left out for an extended period of time, the flies are almost certain to arrive as well. Removing any uneaten food from the area will also aid in the elimination of flies from the area.

The garbage bin will be ideal for removing any waste from the area if you happen to have one on hand.

Using the screen on the windows to your advantage

When it comes to preventing further flystrike, installing fly screens on windows is ideal. If you need to leave a window open for ventilation, make sure it has a flyscreen attached to it to keep the bugs out.

Open windows without screens will almost certainly attract a large number of flies to the guinea pigs’ enclosure.

Using a flystrike protector is as follows:

If your guinea pig has flystrike, you should try using a flystrike protector to get rid of any flies that have become stuck on their body.

For those who have already had their eggs laid and watched them develop into maggots, it is recommended that they consult a veterinarian to get rid of the problem.

Using fly traps is a good idea

Using flytraps to eliminate flies from the cage area is yet another effective method of pest control. Fly traps made of natural materials and without the use of chemicals can be used to eliminate flies from a given area.

Despite the fact that many people believe it is a foolish idea, believe me when I say that you will be surprised when you see the results. Now is a good time to give it a shot.

FLY TRAP: Make Your Own to Get Rid of Flies and Fruit Fly

When possible, it is preferable to prevent a flystrike from occurring rather than dealing with it later. Regular cage maintenance, the use of high-quality bedding, and the maintenance of a suitable living environment throughout the house can all help to prevent these types of situations from occurring in the future.

Conclusion

Do guinea pigs have a tendency to attract flies? Yes, they do, without a doubt, attract flies. Rather than the guinea pig itself, the environment in which the guinea pig lives is one of the most significant causes of flystrike.

That nasty flies will attack your guinea pig in the absence of preventative measures, and bear in mind that those flies can pose a serious health risk to your pet guinea pig.

In order to keep your guinea pigs safe and healthy, you should follow the steps we discussed earlier to eliminate flies from the area around your animals.

Related Questions:

Is it possible for flies to lay eggs on guinea pigs?

Yes, guinea pigs can be infected by flies, which can lay eggs on them. Because guinea pigs have a moist bottom as a result of their regular pee and poop, the area around the anus is particularly vulnerable to fly infestation.

Can guinea pigs be harmed by flies?

Yes, guinea pigs can be harmed by flies. Flies actually lay eggs, which hatch into maggots and begin to feed on your guinea pigs as soon as they are exposed to them. If not dealt with immediately, these larvae can cause significant damage to a guinea pig very quickly.

Sources: ASTMH, ACS PUBLICATION, OXFORD ACADEMICS, CAB DIRECT