Do Guinea Pigs Attract Flies? How to Get Rid of Flies Near the Cage
Hot and humid summer days are just around the corner, which means the pesky flies are too. Flies can annoy humans and animals alike as they fly and buzz around obnoxiously. Of course, no one wants flies in their house, which naturally begs the question, do guinea pigs attract flies?
Guinea pigs themselves do not attract flies, but a soiled and unhygienic living space will. Damp and soiled bedding increases the chances of attracting flies. However, a healthy and balanced diet and regular cleaning of the cage can prevent fly infestations before they take hold.
Flies can be a pesky problem and can even make your guinea pig sick in some cases. Luckily, only wet and soiled bedding will attract flies, not your guinea pigs themselves.
Keep reading to learn why flies are attracted to guinea pig cages, why they are problematic, and how to keep them away from your furry potato’s enclosure.
Why Are Flies Attracted to Guinea Pig Enclosures?
If you are finding flies around your guinea pig, it’s not necessarily the fault of your guinea pig alone. Flies are not attracted to clean and healthy guinea pigs; they are attracted to their living environments under certain conditions.
Your guinea pig’s living environment could be attracting flies due to:
- Wet and urine-covered bedding
- Uneaten food
- Accumulation of feces and urine
- Soiled or discolored bedding
- An outdoor enclosure
Flies are attracted to damp or wet areas, organic matter, and warm areas, which are easy to find in a guinea pig cage.
Bedding absorbs urine and creates a moist, warm environment that most flies love. They also will be attracted to any feces left in the enclosure, especially if it is diarrhea. If the soiled bedding and feces are left too long in the cage, it will become a breeding ground for unwanted flies.
Are Flies Dangerous For Guinea Pigs?
Fly populations around your guinea pig’s cage can put your piggy at risk of a condition called fly strike.
Fly strike is a rapidly developing condition caused by flies laying eggs on the skin of guinea pigs and in their living environment. The eggs develop into maggots that burrow into the flesh of your guinea pig. This can lead to all kinds of infections and unhealthy skin conditions. It can even be fatal in some cases.
Fly strike is more likely to happen during summer months to guinea pigs that live in unsanitary conditions or if your guinea pigs are unable to keep themselves clean.
Your guinea pig is considered at high risk of fly strike if it meets any of the following criteria:
- They are overweight
- They have arthritis and poor hygiene
- They have dental problems that cause open sores around the mouth
- They have long hair prone to matting
- They have any open sores or wounds
If you notice flies in or around the guinea pig cage, then be sure to check for signs of fly strike.
The symptoms include:
- Eggs that look like tiny white specks around your guinea pig’s anus
- Maggots on your guinea pig or in their cage
- A foul odor
- Lethargy
- Open wounds
If you notice any of these symptoms, take your guinea pig to the veterinarian immediately.
Be sure to also check out our list of 10 common guinea pig illnesses you can prevent.
How Do You Get Rid of Flies In Guinea Pig Cages?
If you are finding flies around your guinea pig, it’s best to take all the measures you can to rid the space of them.
Luckily there are quite a few things you can do to reduce the number of flies around your guinea pig’s cage.
Most importantly, keep the cage clean. If you already have flies around, then you will need to do a deep cleaning with a pet-friendly cleaner or vinegar and water.
Once the enclosure is completely clean, you will need to follow a daily cleaning routine. This means daily cleanings of bedding and feces, as well as uneaten food.
If you notice soiled bedding or droppings in the cage, be sure to remove them promptly. This will prevent any flies from being attracted to the decomposing organic material.
Apart from cleaning the cage, you can also change a few things about the enclosure itself, such as:
- Using a sealed water bottle
- Moving the cage to a better-ventilated area
- Placing screens on windows
- Adding net curtains over the hutch
- Placing fly traps or fly tape around the enclosure
Switching to a sealed water bottle instead of a bowl of water can prevent a humid and moist environment that attracts flies, while a better-ventilated area will provide great airflow, which will steer the flies away.
Screens and netting will also prevent flies from entering your house and the guinea pig enclosure. But if you already have flies, then place fly traps around the cage and replace them frequently.
How Can I Keep Flies Away from My Guinea Pig?
There are many things you can do to keep flies from pestering your guinea pig. First and foremost, keep the cage and your guinea pig clean!
Clean the cage daily and be sure to check that your guinea pig is grooming himself regularly. Remove any feces and soiled bedding and be sure to remove any uneaten food after a few hours. If needed, you can even give your guinea pig a bath or brush out the matted hair.
Daily cleaning is key, but you should also deep clean the cage once a month.
On top of cleaning, you can also use the following strategies to keep flies away from your guinea pig:
- Use netting or fly screens on the hutch of the enclosure
- Only open windows with screens
- Ensure proper ventilation
- Ask for fly spray at the veterinarian
- Place fly traps around the enclosure
While all of these strategies will reduce the number of flies in your house and around the cage, it is crucial that you follow a strict cleaning routine to ensure your guinea pig is happy and healthy.
Final Thoughts
Guinea pigs are pretty hygienic animals, but their enclosures can get filthy fast which can attract house flies and other unwanted pests. So if you don’t have one already, be sure to abide by a strict cleaning routine for your guinea pig so he can stay happy and healthy in a comfortable fly-free environment.