Hutch hygiene & keeping away the flies?

[Superbeckyy]

Cinnamon's suddenly taken a dislike to the litter tray - I'm not sure why this is! It could have something to do with me having thoroughly cleaned out the tray a couple weeks ago? Anyway, he's peeing and pooping all over the place, and although I clean his hutch out frequently I'm worried about any bugs or flies that might be attracted by the stray droppings. Is there anything I can use or hang up that will keep the germy bugs away and keep the hutch extra germ-free? I'm worried about him getting ill. I use pet-safe disinfectant regularly to clean the base of the hutch, but is there anything else I can do?

I've moved the tray to where he's started to do the majority of his poops, but he's still rebelliously doing it anywhere, silly bun! I'm hoping he'll start to use the tray again.

Thanks to anyone who could give me any tips! <3

[stargirl]

How about getting a new tray? Maybe he doesn't like the chemical smell.

Cookie is doing similar, so I am picking up *every* poop he does and putting it in the tray, and it's getting better.

Star x

[michelle.pawz]

You fly mesh as well which you could attach to the front of the cage to keep them out. I never thoroughly clean mine as i have the same problem. I replace it every 3 month or so and they seem happy enough with it.

[Superbeckyy]

Thanks for the great suggestions! <3

I'll definitely try picking up all the stray poops & placing them in the tray. Usually when I clean the litter tray I empty it into a bag and wipe it out with pet-safe disinfectant before putting the fresh newspaper and woodshavings in. The only thing I did differently this time was give it a blast with the pressure hose to make it ultra-clean, so I'm guessing it doesn't smell the same so he doesn't like it. Hopefully rounding up the poop will persuade him into cleaner habits!

Fly mesh sounds good too, thank you!

[harrisi]

Try taking out the litter pan so he chooses that corner again for a toilet, leave it for a couple of days then put the old bedding from that into the litter pan to get him back into the habit.

As for hutch hygeine and keeping away flies, dont let wee soak into wood (aside from it moulding/warping, the urine in the wood will attract flies), clean as much as possible daily and in the heat of the summer ("fly season" put
250ml cold tea
250ml cider vinegar
10drops citronella
10drops lavendar
in a 1ltr bottle, shake it up and spray around the hutch. Flys hate it and it is totally harmless.

[PinkBunnyMummy]

I brought Citronella sachets last year to attatch to my bunnies hutches. Its a sachet of strong Lemon smell and it deters the flies away from the hutch. I will try to find a picture of one for you

[Superbeckyy]

Thanks for the great ideas! *writes all of them down*