Weird tiny flies in rabbit housing area?

[Catlyn]

Hey everybody! I have a suspicion that my rabbit might have caught fleas or other parasitic insects of some sorts.
They are small, black-ish and tiny, flying around, perching on poop and sometimes, my rabbit.
If they happen to be fleas, how should I treat them?
Please note that I don't have access to any of the supplies they sell in the USA or UK, so just general ideas would be great.

 

[Augustus&HazelGrace]

If they are flying then they are not fleas. Can you post a picture?

 

[Catlyn]

I am not sure if i can find one perching on something-they are very much tiny and hard to see, also i am not sure if phone can take a clear pic but i'll try.

 

[Critterfan87]

I'm not sure what would be likely in your area but my first two guesses would be a species of fruit fly or phorid fly. Could try looking those up and seeing if it looks similar?

 

[majorv]

Sound like some variety of fruit fly or knat. Are your rabbits inside or outside?

 

[Emma Nelson]

Perhaps you could use lice powder or diatomaceous earth, which we use to keep hens and their coops free of lice etc. You would need to check if they are safe for rabbits.

 

[Preitler]

Hm, as has been said, could be fruit flies, or Sciaridae, both harmless. I wouldn't bother with chemicals or DE (which is pretty safe) if it's one of those, I would hold the big guns for now. They have a rather short reproduction cycle, so thoroughly cleaning the litter box, or any place that could get moist (like around their water, or leftover greens) every 3-4 days for some time should help.

In case of Sciaridae, the actual culbrit could be flower pots, etc., and the animals are just attracted by the litter box.

 

[Catlyn]

Well, i couldn't get a picture of those pesky bugs. They are gone? Didn't see them around today. It seems that they are just flies, attracted to the poop, that do the decomposting and stuff, but i'm not sure. I'll look up on the different bugs mentioned in the thread and look what fits the description the best. Thanks for all the help!

 

[Catlyn]

I looked it up and the bugs at my rabbit's place closely resemble that bug:
( found under the name of sciardiae)
He lives half outdoors, half indoors??
Anyway, in the place we store wood at. We have no potted plants or anything there, and i think that haybales are not causing any bug swarming.

So the best way to get rid of them is cleaning the poop box more often?

 

[Preitler]

I think so, if the litter box is their breeding ground. If you get rid of their eggs and larvea before they can grow up, every 3-4 days I think, as long as there are adults around they should be decimated soon.

 

[Catlyn]

Okay! Will do that. Thanks!

 

[Ella]

Please be careful of Cuterebra, this is a parasite that killed our rabbit. When we were at the vet, we found that two other rabbits died within that week because of Cuterebra and both bunnies were let outdoor. Any buns that go outside are at risk of this and it's still hard to bring this word up without the sadness. If you can, do not let your bunny outside.

 

[RedDiamondDawn]

Please be careful of Cuterebra, this is a parasite that killed our rabbit. When we were at the vet, we found that two other rabbits died within that week because of Cuterebra and both bunnies were let outdoor. Any buns that go outside are at risk of this and it's still hard to bring this word up without the sadness. If you can, do not let your bunny outside.

Does it matter which state you liv in?

 

[Preitler]

Aren't bot flies and warbles rather huge? And they don't pop up as swarms.
Anyway, cleaning their box regularily is a prevention against those too.

 

[Catlyn]

What exactly are cuterebra?
I cannot go otherwise than let my rabbit out daily, he is a lone rabbit and needs enrichment, which the small living space does not provide. We live in an area with little to none psrasites so i wouldn't be so extremely worried unless something is really wrong.

 

[Critterfan87]

Bot flies are horrible! But after a quick Google search it looks like Estonia doesn't have them? Though I could be wrong.

 

[Critterfan87]

What exactly are cuterebra?
I cannot go otherwise than let my rabbit out daily, he is a lone rabbit and needs enrichment, which the small living space does not provide. We live in an area with little to none psrasites so i wouldn't be so extremely worried unless something is really wrong.

They are larva from bot flies, they target small mammals to lay their eggs in as hosts. A species in South America will target humans as well, shudder.

 

[Preitler]

And since those flies are the size of bumble bees they are not Catlyns problem.

 

[Maki_p29]

Clean the litter box often, makes sure there are no damp areas or rotten vegetables or fruits around your bunny. Also check your bunnies back, underside, near their tail and bumb to see if any larvae are there to prevent fly strike. Fly strike is common in bunnies medium to large in size since they have the most trouble reaching tho areas to clean. Fly strike can also affect bunnies of a small size if they also for some reason are unable to clean themselves properly. Better to be safe than sorry!

 

[Catlyn]

Clean the litter box often, makes sure there are no damp areas or rotten vegetables or fruits around your bunny. Also check your bunnies back, underside, near their tail and bumb to see if any larvae are there to prevent fly strike. Fly strike is common in bunnies medium to large in size since they have the most trouble reaching tho areas to clean. Fly strike can also affect bunnies of a small size if they also for some reason are unable to clean themselves properly. Better to be safe than sorry!

I am not sure how should i check his bum back and other "hazardous" areas. He lets me pick him up and fiddle with him a little but he strongly resists if i go to check his hindquarters in any way. I've tried to check him when he flops, to lay him on his back and check(though i know it is a bad idea from the get go) or when i am lifting him, even when i am grooming him. All futile. That critter is able to jump a meter high to the tree rack but is unable to hold still for butt-checkups. He even has loads of "shaggy, long-ish" hair that just won't come off when grooming or gently pulling. I have run out of ideas.