Lice/mites in hay?

[lucy]

Hi,

I bought two young pigs from a breeder recently, and noticed that they had small white crawly things on their fur. I assumed these were lice, and treated them yesterday with topical ivermectin. I informed the breeder so she could check her other pigs in case they also had lice, and she said that she hadn't noticed any in her other pigs, and that they were probably mites contracted from hay. Is there a specific way to treat these or would ivermectin be ok? And is there any way this can be avoided in future?

Thanks!

[Dawn - Admin]

You could use johnsons anti mite spray that is what I use. Some people say if yopu microwave the hay before you feed it that kils the mites/lice but if you have a lot of pigs it would take you ages.

[cavymaniac]

I had a mite problem a few months ago from the hay I was using and I was told to use Oxbow hay and Spillers Readigrass as apparently they are heat treated which kills off the mites. Since using these products I have had no problems.

[lucy]

Great, thanks for the advice! Does anyone know if hay mites irritate human skin? I've found myself scratching along with my guinea pigs, but I'm not sure if it's just me being paranoid!

[celia]

Hi the small white crawly things are running lice they need to be killed with a shampoo or spray , the johnstons spray kills them on contact but they will need to be done a few times to kill them all because eggs fall off and hatch . I honestly dont think the running lice has came in the hay its most likely to have come with the pigs . Its not a big deal to get these on pigs its just like a kid getting lice at school give the pigs a spray or a bath with the right stuff and they will be gone :-)