Hog Under Guinea Pig Cage

[Freedom86]

Hi All,

I recently saw a hedgehog scurrying down the wall of our property towards the boundary at dusk. I went to check it out and it stayed still for long enough for me to identify that it had a patch of maybe two dozen blood sucking ticks on it’s back.

I checked online and sources suggested this was probably an okay amount if the hog didn’t look unwell. I didn’t want to interfere with it for fear of causing it harm or removing them incorrectly (I have never dealt with a tick before).

I hadn’t seen it again since and so thought it was a one off.

Today, during lunch I went into the garden and was hearing hissing noises coming from nearby. I investigated and lifted the guinea pig hutch to find a green grass nest underneath with what I believe to be a hedgehog in the middle. There was also an area to the side with several hig looking stools. I took a photo and then retreated.

I’m concerned about the ticks and the guinea pigs so I have purchased some DE to ‘spray’ around the guinea pig cage and the surrounding grass area so try and kill the ticks as they drop off. I am informed that it is harmless to the hog, the pigs and my pet cats.

I am also concerned about the cats getting to the nest as it is accessible to them.

Are there any suggestions on how to proceed here?

[Nic]

Hi Freedom86

Two dozen visible ticks sounds quite a lot to me. I think your best course of action would be to take advice from the nearest hog carer/rehbilitator (you can get contact details of the nearest ones by ringing 01584 890801). I wouldn’t try to remove them yourself – could do more harm than good – also a hog with a heavy tick load may have some underlying health problems.

I don’t know anything about DE spray, but it’s best not to use chemicals with hogs around – you could check that out with the hog carer/rehabilitator, too.

Good luck.

[Author]

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