warning to aspen users

[theratlady]

just wanted to warn about a potential problem linked to aspen.
a client brought his rats in that were infested with "bugs" and upon further inspection i diagnosed them as having chiggers! they are mites and in the same family as ticks and spiders.
very very unusual to see esp in winter or cold weather. i asked if ever camped or had friends over that did or store camping equipment etc and the answer was no. the only thing is he uses aspen shavings as we have heard of bugs coming from aspen before its not outside the realm of possibility thats the cause.

they dont cause alarm for disease but their bites itch like a mofo and can infect humans as well. they eat liquified skin cells gross huh?

 

[jorats]

Yikes!! Thanks for the heads up.

 

[henry's_mum]

:sick2: GROSSSSSS!

 

[ryelle]

*shudder*

 

[lindsayfawn]

I am so glad we use fleece lol *shudders* eww bugs

 

[Godmother]

Thanks for the warning. Chiggers are supposed to be really horrible. I am glad to have the cold winters of Canada in exchange for no chiggers.

 

[seanscritters]

*eep* sounds horrible

 

[MumsyRat]

Where did he get his wood chips from? That would make a difference. I have a supplier near by who I would never buy from cause their stuff is dirty. I'd rather drive to Oakville to get the Nepco kiln dried shavings. I also use Harlan's sani-chips, a very clean and sanitary product.

Of course. realisically, any wood chips could have bugs in them. Trees have bugs, ergo, wood chips can have bugs too. You can also reduce the risk further by freezing your bedding before you use it. Easy to do during our nice cold Canadian winter. A bit more effort in the summer but it can be done. I have a freezer in my garage just for rat food and shavings.

 

[SQ]

I have a freezer in my garage just for rat food and shavings.

LOL

an excellent idea ... but I can just imagine the expression on the sales person's face when that is explained. :laugh4:

 

[theratlady]

i imagine he bought them from a store as we do not grow aspen around these parts. the people packaging these chips for the pet market should already be sanitizing them. esp the price they are.