Mozzie repellant safe to use on rabbits

Question
Hi Dana,
i live in australia and own 3 rabbits, i'm finding it really hard to find a safe product i can either spray or apply abit to there ears to prevent mozzie bites, i have applied abit of a horse repellant on today called fly away which works great on horses, active ingredients are permethrin, dibutyl phthalate, deet, and piperonyl butoxide, i appied abit on the back of there ears they seem s ok. but i was wondering if a wekkly appication was dangerous.

i'm really hoping you can help me.

Many thanks  
SOnya

Answer
Dear Sonya,

I would not use any of these products on a rabbit.  Their full effects on this species are not known, and because rabbits will groom their ears, not only will they quickly remove the repellant, but they'll be ingesting nasty stuff with unknown effects.

The best way to keep your bunnies away from flies and mosquitoes is to make them into HOUSE bunnies.  You'll love it!  And here are all the tips and information you'll need to make it so:

http://www.rabbit.org/care/new-bunny-index.html

and

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/index.html

Remember that myxomatosis is carried by biting flies, so be sure your bunnies are fully vaccinated and protected.

If you absolutely cannot bring them inside, then the next best thing would be to buy a large mosquito net and drape it over the hutches so that flies and mosquitoes will be fully excluded.  These are not expensive, and could be real life-savers.

I hope this helps.

Dana