Gnats/fruit flies in bunny cage

[Hazelbuny]

I have noticed little flying bugs around my bunny’s litter box and hay box area. They might be fruit flies, brown with red eyes. I’m not sure if they’re in the hay or litter box but if I disturb that area at least 5-10 little bugs fly up. I use feline pine and clean her litter box every other day. I also have a screen over her litter box because she is a digger. I’ve thoroughly cleaned her whole cage and used a vinegar-water mixture to clean all the surfaces but the bugs won’t go away! I don’t have any fruit in my house that isn’t refrigerated so this is very frustrating, they just seem to be hanging around her cage. Has this happened to anyone before and how do I get rid of them?  

[joea64]

Found this old thread:

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/121336/Default.aspx

Fruit flies, happily, don’t appear to be dangerous to rabbits, just annoying. That thread suggests a couple of rabbit-safe methods for dealing with them.

[spunkysmokey]

IM not sure if it can happen with fruit flys but I suggest you look into “fly strike” I think all small pet owners should know about it! Just search on youtube  “fly strike in rabbits” Hope this is not the case (im sure its not)  Good luck!

[pinknfwuffy]

I agree with the linked thread that suggests vinegar/soap mixture. When I’ve tried it, I put apple cider vinegar in a small glass with a few drops of dish soap. The vinegar attracts them (sweet smell) and the soap makes it so the flies get caught on the surface of the water. You can also cover the glass with plastic wrap and poke tiny holes in it with a toothpick. The flies can get in but often can’t figure out how to get out.

I would put it out right after a fresh cleaning of the litter box so they will be attracted to the glass and not the box.

[Wick & Fable]

I’d suggest moving the litter box somewhere different and seeing if the fruit flies continue to congregate by the litter box, or by the litter box location. This is an important distinction.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Hazelbuny]

I tried the vinegar-soap trap and it worked! I put apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap in a cup then I put some plastic wrap with a few holes punched out so the fruit flies can get in but not out. I caught only about 5 but I think I caught it early on before a real infestation began. I also changed her litter box out everyday for a week to make sure to throw out any eggs they may have left before they had time to hatch. I have not seen any fruit flies in a while. Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

[JumpingJack]

This is a controversial method because oils are HOTLY DEBATED so you need to do your own research.

I mix a few drops of pure peppermint oil (NOT SPEARMINT!) into a spray bottle of water and spray the litter boxes lightly. Works miracles. But again, oils are debated and there is no real consensus on them. I use them according to the most reliable info I can find but you have to be very careful what sources you listen to, use your best judgement, etc.

I have read this here that gnats hate oil: https://www.getridoffliesguide.com/get-rid-of-fruit-flies/

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