How bad are flies

[sarahthegemini]

I’m talking about your run of the mill house flies. With it being hot here in the UK, windows are open and the little buggers often find their way in the house. We try and catch them because I’m so paranoid about them laying eggs and whatnot. Is this actually a potential threat? Am I over paranoid? 

[Bam]

Richard Saunders, British rabbit vet, says it’s mostly a matter of hygiene. The risk is much higher for buns that get poopy butt or urine scald, especially outdoors buns. In a webinar so llistened to last summer, RS recommended checking the butt of outdoors buns 3 times per day during periods of hot weather. He stressed that this is better than to rely on fly repellants or antiparasitics.

There are flystrike sprays and spot-on drops for rabbits, many contain ivermectin, which is bunny safe. There’s also some stuff that’s for use on sheep, but I don’t remember the name now. I know several of these products can be bought OTC in the UK.

Mosquito netting is of course a good preventative measure, but not always practical for a whole house where people go in and out and you want windows open for the better part of the day.

I think Gina.Jenny uses some type of spot on for her buns because they have outside time every day. She used to use Martin’s Little Friend spot on for small pets, but I think she switched to sth else this season. You could pm her and ask, if she doesn’t come online and sees your thread.

I don’t put anything on Bam, but I cover his outdoors run in mosquito netting.

[jerseygirl]

Blowflies are more of a concern then house flies. I get the small flies sometimes and usually swat them. Im not too concerned though. If the rabbits are clean and don’t have any wounds.

Rearguard is a product Ive seen some UK bun owners use. It more for rabbits that are at risk.

[Deleted User]

I have this exact same concern. I have ended up limiting the time I open windows and if any flies end up getting in I am relentless at chasing them round until they are caught. I have even taught my children to be alert and tell me when they see a fly. The thought of fly strike just fills me with dread. So I suppose for these reasons there is probably not much to worry about because we are aware of it and extra vigilant I guess

[vanessa]

I’m pretty sure your bunny’s butts r clean, so I wouldn’t panic about houseflies. Its the bkowflies and both flies that r the big concern. House flies would go after a really poopy butt. The agricultural flies r the ones that go after agricultural animals (including rabbits) regardless of hygiene.

[sarahthegemini]

Thanks for your input guys. My bunnies are indoors 24/7, have healthy clean butts and the litter trays get emptied and changed every evening so hygiene isn’t an issue. I guess I can relax a little! 

[LittlePuffyTail]

Relax, Mama!!!

[Bam]

You can absolutely relax =)

[Author]

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