Control Pests (Flies, Mites, Rodents)

Set up fly traps around the rabbitry, inspect ears and fur weekly for mites, and secure all feed in rodent-proof metal or heavy-plastic bins. Remove manure piles promptly since they are the primary fly breeding ground. Seal gaps in barn walls larger than 6 mm to exclude mice and rats.

Why It Works

Flies spread bacteria and lay eggs in soiled fur causing myiasis (flystrike), which can kill a rabbit within 48 hours. Ear mites (Psoroptes cuniculi) cause painful crusting and secondary infections. Rodents contaminate feed with droppings carrying Salmonella and Leptospira, and attract predators that stress the herd.

Tips

• Hang sticky fly traps or bait traps at rabbit-head height but out of direct contact with the cages
• Treat confirmed mite cases with veterinarian-prescribed ivermectin or selamectin; treat all cage mates simultaneously
• Store manure at least 15 meters from the rabbitry and compost it in a covered pile to suppress fly breeding