Includes: Mites, Fleas, Flies, Bat bugs (Cimex), Ticks, Spinturnid mites and Maggots/Flystrike
Cause/Info
- Expect a few mites and occasional fleas. Ticks and bat bugs (Cimex) are found less commonly on bats.
- Identify the type of ectoparasite: Mite, flea, fly (bat flies are tiny wingless flies that look like mites to the naked eye), spinturnid mite (crab like on wing membranes in Myotis and Nyctalus bats), bat bug (Cimex) or tick. Treat according to recommended method of removal.
- Very young (hairless) bats with an excessive (dozens or more) load of parasites and badly emaciated may be orphaned/abandoned and are not likely to thrive.
Treatment Options
- Physically remove excessive fleas, bat flies, mites, and bat bugs (Cimex) but not ticks, with a damp fine paintbrush or tweezers.
- Change paper and cloths in cages every day until number of parasites reduces.
- Ticks attach themselves to the bat with barbed mouthparts. The bat may remove the odd one but occasionally there can be large numbers. A small amount of Frontline spray (available from vets) can be applied (adults only). Spray into a small container and then apply a small amount with a fine paintbrush to the nape of the neck or directly on to the tick.
- Spinturnid mites on the wing membrane (like little crabs) are difficult to brush off but can be lifted off with micropore tape, taking care not to damage the membrane.
- Maggots suggest a severely debilitated bat which may require euthanasia. They can be removed with tweezers or rinsed out with water with a little mild detergent.
Considerations
- Is the bat ill or injured and unable to groom?
- Ticks can carry babesia from bat to bat.
- Maggots suggest bats have been debilitated for some time and when found are usually in/on open wounds and in the genital area. They are not found on healthy bats.