Question by teach_the_wild:
Can a guinea pig get bed bugs? If so, how can he be treated?
I recently gave a baby pig to a friend who moved into an infested apt. 4 days ago. Also, I rescued him back from someone who was “lazy”. Can I bathe him? Ps. I am taking him back again if he can;t get bed bugs.
Best answer:
Answer by nancy l
I own a pest control company and guinea pigs. Bed bugs can bite animals, but prefer humans. They do not live on the host, only visit for blood feedings. In such a heavy infestation they can certainly suck enough blood to make him sick. They are very aggresive little bugs, biting much quicker than a flea. Within only seconds of getting onto the host they are hooked up and drinking.
I would definately bathe him very well just in case there are any hitch hikers. DO NOT bathe him in anything labeled for dogs!!! The chemicals are too strong for the pig and may kill him depending on the % of active ingredient. Do not allow him to be around any of the checmicals treating the bed bugs. The residual alone will kill your guinea. Bathe your guinea in either baby shampoo or something labeled for kittens. All natural shampoos from a health food store are great too. Cages can be carriers of bed bugs. I would disassemble the cage and scrub that puppy down like nobody’s business!! Better yet if you can afford it throw it away and just buy a new one it may save you thousands of dollars later. Don’t bring the bag of wood shavings or food home with you. Say thanks, but no thanks… I already have some of my own at home. The last thing you want to pay for is killing these bugs in your own home. It will run you thousands of dollars and take weeks to months to be rid of them not to mention the headache it will cause the entire family.
Your best case would be to have him meet you at the front door with the pig, put the pig in a box that you brought, take him home washing him out front before you bring him in gently scrubing and rinsing the little guy good, dry him and set him in his new cage with a new water bottle, food bowl and house. Dispose of the box far, far away. Eggs can not be seen with the naked eye, but hatch every 7-14 days. I would be sure to bathe him once a week for a month JUST IN CASE. I’m sure that’s my own paranoia talking, your will probably get all the hitch hikers the first time, but most people don’t realize they have a problem until it is severe which takes a month or two. I would lean on the side of caution though and repeat the baths.
Because you could bring a hitch hiker home and spread them out in your own house, I wouldn’t visit your friend at his new apartment until the pests have been gone for a few months. The most common method of transportation of this insect is by getting a ride on clothing or spreading out in public storage units. It is common for people to throw a piece of furniture by the street because it is infested with these bugs and someone else picks it up and takes it home. Meet your friend out for lunch for a while, but save the pig from certain uncomfortableness before it goes any further.
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