Mealworm In Guinea Pigs Food!

[Iggle_Piggle]

Hi,

Just wanted a bit of advice as I'm a bit worried. I have had my guinea pigs since January and have always fed them Pets at Home Guinea Pig nuggets, which they love. However, as I was filling up their bowl this morning a horrible maggot looking insect fell out of the bag I looked closely and noticed at least two more wriggling around inside (disgusting!). I rang the store I had brought the nuggets from and they said that it sounds like Mealworm and they try to get rid of it all when packaging but sometimes some slip through. Anyway she said she would give me another bag for free along with some guinea pig treats - as I had never had this problem before accepted and put it down to just being 'one of those things'. However, I got the new bag home and found two sneaky Mealworms this time on the outside of the bag! I have had a look inside and can't see any but am now worried that they're hiding.

I just wanted to see if anyone else has had this problem? Are mealworms dangerous to piggies? I am now considering trying a different brand of nuggets do you have any suggestions?

 

[Critter]

Yes. I once had several live mealworms in guinea pig food, but I can't tell you which brand they came in from as I buy several types of nuggets and a little bit of muisli and mix it all together for them.

As for being dangerous I very much doubt it, but I wouldn't really want them spoiling the food either, if that makes sence. I had got a fair way down the tub that I use before I saw our infestation, so the pigs had been eating it for a while, and they didn't suffer any ill effects.

I did find a chicken feather in a bag of nuggets once.

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Crikey, never had that problem.

 

[Wigwig]

Thats unlucky, but they have beetle grubs in the live cricket boxes they sell at my local store. Its so annoying, I have to sift them out before i can put the crickets into their tank otherwise the grubs eat all the food and attack the crickets, as well as when they turn into beetles they are just as savage.