Mosquitoes

Question
Hi Dr. Krempels,
I was reading an answer you had given concerning protecting your rabbits against mosquitoes and wanted to address something I had read on another Rabbit Chat room.  Someone had said to use 1-3 drops of Eucalyptus/Cintronella Oil between their shoulder blades.  Is that safe???  Another person mentioned Apple Cidar Vinegar.  Do you have any thoughts???  My bunnies are getting eaten alive by these things!!!  I know you said to put netting, but that would be almost impossible in their case.

Answer
Dear Brenda,

I would not feel confident about putting anything like eucalyptus or citronella on a bunny.  The oil can travel along the oil glands in the skin, and neither type of oil is really safe for rabbits to ingest.  Apple cider vinegar might be safe, but could be a bit caustic.  And how would you apply enough to keep away the mosquitoes?  I've never tried this, so can't really speak to its efficacy.

My suggestion is to bring the bunnies indoors where they are safe from the mosquitoes.  There's just no other good way to protect them. Wish I could tell you there was...but I can't.

Hope this helps.

Dana