Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 06:45 pm
Bugs can be very annoying and appear in our hamster’s cage and bother him.
Why do bugs appear in the cage of hamsters?
Bugs appear in the hamster’s cage due to leftover food, droppings, untreated bedding, or wooden objects. Flies, stinging insects, and other bugs are a danger to hamsters and we need to remove them from the cage.
In today’s article, you will find out why bugs appear in the cage of hamsters, whether they are dangerous for them and how to remove them.
Do hamsters attract bugs?
If the hamster is healthy then the chances of it attracting bugs are small, while old hamsters and sick hamsters can attract bugs.
Food is one of the most important factors that attract bugs, when there is uneaten food left for them, they come after the smell of food.
Therefore, the cage should be regularly cleaned of food and excrement so that there are no bugs in it.
Bugs can come into the cage from a piece of the wood outside that has bugs in it.
If the hamster lives in a glass house then there will not be many bugs, while standard cages with bars will allow bugs to enter it more easily.
Are bugs harmful to hamsters?
It depends on the bug, for example, flies are harmful to hamsters, while ants are not so dangerous but are very unpleasant.
Domestic hamsters do not eat bugs, unlike wild hamsters that can eat them, so eventually, if they start to reproduce, then the hamster will get annoyed by such a large number of bugs.
That’s why a clean cage is the best defense against bugs and stress in hamsters.
What bugs can be in the hamster cage?
There are various types of bugs that can appear in a hamster’s cage, namely:
- flies
- fleas or mites
- cockroaches
You should be careful not to leave room for them to settle in the cage or near it, then it will be difficult to get rid of them.
The appearance of mites in the cage
Mites are tiny brown bugs that we hardly notice, especially demodex mites that hide in the fur of hamsters.
There are other types of mites such as wood mites that are harmless to hamsters. There are more and more new types of mites that can appear in hamsters.
Some of them can cause discomfort in hamsters such as redness and itching of the skin.
Fleas
Fleas find their way into the hamster cage mostly through our clothes or they will come through the body of another pet.
If you notice that the hamster is scratching its body, it means that it has fleas.
When hamsters have fleas it is best to take them to a vet to help and give you therapy or advice on how to remove fleas from your pet.
Crawling bugs
Ants can be a real temptation in the cage of hamsters, especially if they smell some sweet food that attracts them.
Cockroaches are very unpleasant to the eye, and they can reproduce very easily. Cockroaches love food and water, so there should be no leftovers of food and water in the hamster’s cage.
If there are cockroaches in the cage, expect them to be all over your home, and you will have to destroy them.
They like dark places, a quiet and warm environment, and reproduce very quickly.
Weevils or mealybugs are most attracted to grain foods and will not harm your pet.
Flying bugs
Flying bugs, mosquitoes, and wasps are very unpleasant for hamsters.
Mosquitoes will bite the hamster’s skin and annoy them constantly.
Wasps are dangerous if a hamster is stung by their stinger and may develop an allergy or redness and itching at the site.
Keeping a hamster cage in places that may be a nest or a place where insects and bugs congregate should be avoided.
Can Hamsters Get Flystrike?
Flystrike is a dangerous phenomenon in hamsters and can even result in fatal consequences for their life.
Flies can attach fecal matter directly to the fur of the hamsters, and then lay eggs in the anus of the hamsters.
The eggs will hatch into larvae that use the hamster’s flesh and can cause painful and life-threatening consequences for the hamster.
How to prevent the appearance of bugs in the cage of hamsters?
Cleaning is the most effective way to prevent bugs from appearing in your hamster’s cage:
- daily cleaning – of any leftover food and water, which can attract bugs to their cage.
- deep cleaning – once a week by changing the bedding and re-wiping all objects and other parts of the cage
- once a month – clean all parts of the cage, toys, wheel, and everything else inside with a solution of vinegar and water.
Sometimes bugs can appear despite regular cleaning of the hamster’s cage, but certainly in a much smaller amount and intensity than in a dirty cage full of food scraps and feces.
Read more: How To Change A Hamster’s Sleep Schedule? Let’s Find Out
Do hamsters eat bugs?
Yes and no, hamsters eat bugs, especially hamsters that live in the wild eat various bugs, domestic hamsters don’t eat bugs, or very rarely.
Hamsters in the wild can eat waxworms, locusts, mealworms, and crickets.
Live and dried insects can be found in pet stores that can be fed to hamsters. Bugs are a good source of protein for hamsters.
However, hamsters prefer to eat sweet types of food and vegetables and fruits that we give them daily, and if they don’t have a choice then they will also eat bugs.
However, eating cockroaches is not really recommended for hamsters, because such bugs can transmit diseases and parasites to hamsters and harm their health.
