mosquito threat?

Question


I have "inherited" 9 rabbits -- way too many that be kept inside. So I have built a 30x40' yard with tall fence, trees, excellent shelter/shade.

But we have a very bad mosquito season at hand this year. I understand that mosquitos can infect the rabbits via bites with viruses.

Is it better to just hope for the best in getting rid of the mosquitos or use insecticide? Seems to be a rock and a hard spot!

Answer
Dear Jennie,

If you are talking about myxomatosis, and you are in the U.K. or Europe, then the ONLY safe thing to do would be to have all the bunnies vaccinated against both myxomatosis and VHD. These are two deadly viral diseases for which there is no cure, and both are really horrid ways to die.  Please find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

to advise you and help with the best advice on how to handle making the bunnies safe from the viruses.

In the U.S., myxomatosis is geographically restricted to only a few areas (so far), and there is no vaccine.  VHD is not endemic at this time, though sporadic outbreaks have been reported.  Again, there is no vaccine for this in the U.S.

Mosquito netting will certainly help keep the rabbits more comfortable, even if it doesn't protect them completely from all the bugs.  I would not use insecticide around the rabbits, as they are extremely sensitive to such toxins.

If you can bring the rabbits indoors and then fog the bushes *around* the rabbit enclosure without getting any spray on the plants where the rabbits will be, that might be one way to (at least temporarily) reduce the mosquito population.  But wait at least 24 hours before returning the rabbits to the pen, and rinse the grass and bushes well, just in case.

Hope that helps!

Dana