Mold In The Guinea Pig Hutch - Bad?

[PingandChipy]

Hi, I didn't know how to title this... but I noticed that on the back wall of my guinea pig's hutch there is black mold. Their hutch is in my shed and it is heated but this is a very old hutch. I'm planning on buying them a new hutch for spring/summer. Do you think this will be a health risk in the meantime.

They spend most of their time on the other side where there isn't any mold. They are getting older - 4 years and I worry. I was so disgusted to find the mold.

 

[LydiaMinx]

I would assume that it would be the same for them as it is with us, black mold is considered the worst to have (my boyfriends flat has had patches pop up and it has caused him severe lung pain). So if you're able move them to temporary housing until you can either replace the hutch or kill the mold.

We kill mold with a diluted bleach and water mix so obviously take great care when using it around the pigs (preferably don't have them around it at all until the mold and bleach is gone). But don't feel like it's your fault, with this weather I imagine alot of hutches are suffering the same fate!

 

[Goth Mummy]

The hutches that have stood empty all winter outside have mould in! I noticed when I was looking at them pver the weekend wondering what I needed to do to renovate, or whether to chop them for fire wood. Certainly I would not put anything in them until the mould is cleaned off. I think its the constant rain, nothing has had chance to dry out.

 

[A&T]

I had mold in my hutch after the winter where I had brought my pigs in! I bought some cleaning products safe for guinea pigs that kills bacteria (in pets at home, UK) I sprayed that on, scrubbed the mold off with a normal household kitchen sponge and repeated until the mold was gone, then I went over it with water just to get rid of any left over and let it dry, it hasnt come back and I'm happy the mold is gone!
Its probably the best safest option as bleach can be really dangerous!

Good luck!