Little flies in fleece

[Claire7071]

Hi all, was hoping someone has also had this and can provide some reassurance. Its second time now I have found these little fly type things burried head down in pigs fleece? I've pulled the out with tweezers, brushed in some fly strike to fleece and the guinea pigs and washed fleece. I'm concerned as don't know what they are. No luck on Google. Pigs showing no other signs and no maggots. Was hoping could upload a photo but can't work out how. They are tiny, black and have long black legs/tail that is all you see poking out of fleece, body buried into blanket.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Press the ‘attach files’ button that is just below the text box and then insert a photo.

all I can suggest at the moment is that you thoroughly clean down the cage using F10 (a vet grade disinfectant) and wash all the bedding again.

 

[Claire7071]

Hi all, was hoping someone has also had this and can provide some reassurance. Its second time now I have found these little fly type things burried head down in pigs fleece? I've pulled the out with tweezers, brushed in some fly strike to fleece and the guinea pigs and washed fleece. I'm concerned as don't know what they are. No luck on Google. Pigs showing no other signs and no maggots. Was hoping could upload a photo but can't work out how. They are tiny, black and have long black legs/tail that is all you see poking out of fleece, body buried into blanket.

Press the ‘attach files’ button that is just below the text box and then insert a photo.

all I can suggest at the moment is that you thoroughly clean down the cage using F10 (a vet grade disinfectant) and wash all the bedding again.

Thank you didn't see the attach file button. Pictures upload now. Yes have washed everything

 

[Piggies&buns]

You say they are tiny - how tiny?
Are they definitely insects? It looks a little like a grass seed head on the picture (but of course this is the limitation of looking at online pictures - you don’t necessarily see the detail you see in person)

 

[Claire7071]

I think the zoomed in one shows legs never seen them move but I'm pretty sure they are bugs of some kind. The cage is indoors. Although I suppose the fleeces go on the washing line but they are more down the end they wee. They are black. The second pic is them on a bit of kitchen roll very tiny

 

[Claire7071]

I've even googled flies that look like grass seeds and still nothing. You're right they do look like grass seeds but black and have legs. can't be the first person ever surely lol

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s just doesnt look like anything I’ve seen before ...perhaps another member has!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Can you take more pictures - multiple angles, in really close etc?

 

[teddymouse]

Looks like a seed of the wild oat family, and yes they burrow in to moist soil as if alive, dogs can pick them up and are a nightmare for vets to remove,as they can migrate around the dogs body, you must have brought them in with their hay or forage,

 

[Tigermoth]

Looks like seed heads to me too. Have you seen them move?

 

[Rivervixen]

Looks like seed heads to me as well

 

[Betsy]

I thought they looked like seed heads too!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you didn't see the attach file button. Pictures upload now. Yes have washed everything

Hi!

Guinea pigs don't have species specific fly parasites but what can happen is that flies can hatch in their cage/hutch. it is much rarer in indoors piggies. If they accidentally catch flies from dogs or cats, these cannot survive on guinea pigs and will leave them be very quickly.

Just deep clean the cage and its surroundings and wash the bedding again.

Please DO NOT treat with flea and tick powders from a pet shop; they contain toxic substances that are fatal for any rodents (including guinea pigs and hamsters). Fleas And Flea Powders

 

[Claire7071]

Been buying hay from b &M as cheaper maybe it is coming from here just find it odd they are black

 

[Claire7071]

Thank you you have put my mind at rest they really do look like these seed. I've spent all day googling different bugs lol. Must be from the hay and I assume they are harmless

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you you have put my mind at rest they really do look like these seed. I've spent all day googling different bugs lol. Must be from the hay and I assume they are harmless

If you suspect the hay, then please throw away the bag you are using; deep clean and start with a new one. Hay is a natural product, so things can fetch up in it occasionally.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Grass seeds are more dark brown/black around now. I have a cockapoo who loves diving into bushes and long grass so I have seen them change colour over the year (we have to pick them all out his fur and they do get everywhere!)