Ants are pests and they love to go to places where food is abundant. Also, ants are not alone. Their clan is always with them when they see food. Ants can go to your dog’s or cat’s food bowl, your hamster or guinea pig’s cage, and even to your horse’s barn! However, if ants can kill big animals like elephants, can ants kill guinea pigs too? Here is the answer!
Can ants kill guinea pigs? Yes! Ants can kill guinea pigs. Guinea pigs that are sick or dying soon are the targets of ants. Why? Because sick or old guinea pigs are easy targets for ants. That is why if you have a sick guinea pig, make sure that their cage will not attract ants. If there is anything that attracts ants, remove it from their cage.
Today, we will talk about ants and guinea pigs. I will tell you the reasons why ants go to the cage of your guinea pig and how to get rid of it! Also, I will be answering various questions related to our subject. If you are ready, let us move on!
What Kind Of Guinea Pig Can Ants Kill?
Ants can be a pest inside your house, especially if there are lots of them! However, even though ants can be a pest, they still have a huge and critical role in our ecosystem.
Like I have mentioned above, ants can kill your guinea pigs. However, what kind of guinea pig ants usually target? Do ants target a specific species of guinea pig? Here is the answer!
Ants don’t target a specific guinea pig. Ants can kill all of the species of guinea pigs. However, ants don’t attack strong and healthy guinea pigs. Ants only target the sick and dying guinea pigs. Why? Because these sick guinea pigs are more vulnerable and too weak to fight ants.
Why Do Ants Go To The Cage Of Your Guinea Pig?
Ants usually go to places where food or leftovers is abundant. The reason why is because ants love to eat! They need to go to places where food is abundant to feed their whole colony. However, why do ants go to the cage of your guinea pig? What are the things inside the cage of your guinea pig that attracts lots of ants? Here is the answer!
The reason why ants go to the cage of your guinea pig is that the food inside the cage of your guinea pig attracts them. If the cage of your guinea pig is not clean and full of leftovers, expect ants to go to the cage of your guinea pig.
Having a pet guinea pig requires work. Not a lot of work, but you still need to work. You have to clean their cages every day to prevent ants from coming inside the cage of your guinea pig. Ants can be dangerous for guinea pigs that are sick and dying.
How To Get Rid Of Ants In My Guinea Pig’s Cage?
Below are the three different things you can do to get rid of ants in your guinea pig’s cage. Remember, you have to make sure not to use a toxic substance that might poison your guinea pig.
Clean The Cage Of Your Guinea Pig
The first is to clean the cage of your guinea pig. Usually, guinea pig owners clean the cage of their guinea pigs once a day, usually during the mornings.
Like I have mentioned above, ants are attracted to the leftovers or food of your guinea pigs. Aside from that, ants are also attracted to the poop of your guinea pig since the poop of your guinea pig has some particles that are tasty for ants.
You have to clean the cage of your guinea pig with water and soap. However, you have to put your guinea pig out of their cage first before applying soap because soap can poison your guinea pig.
Every leftover and poop must be removed! It will not only prevent ants from coming, but it will also make your guinea pig comfortable and healthy.
Place Cornmeal
Cornmeal is used by many people and can be transformed into a very delicious dish. Cooks or chefs will wait for the water to start boiling, pour some of the cornmeal, stir, and wait for it to be mush. Some add cheese and enjoy their meal!
Cornmeal is perfectly safe for dogs and cats. However, not for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs should not eat cornmeal especially if it has cheese. Ants, on the other hand, hate cornmeal. Once ants try to eat cornmeal, it will make them bloated, and after some time, they will die.
If you want to get rid of ants in your guinea pig’s cage, place cornmeal outside of their house. Never put cornmeal inside the house of your guinea pig since this is dangerous for them.
Boiling Water
Sometimes, it is better to come back from the basics, especially if you don’t have products for killing ants. You need to have three gallons of water. Pour it into a pot, crank up the stove, and wait for it to boil.
After it boils, pour the water into the ant’s nest. However, be careful not to pour the very hot water into your skin, guinea pig, and children. Hot water is dangerous! It can lead to some permanent skin damage. It is also dangerous for ants. That is why you have to use it! When ants get contact with hot water, they will die immediately.
Aside from ants, this method works perfectly for other insects too. If there are wasps, bees, cockroaches, and other pests inside your house, this method is great!
Make sure that you don’t do this when it is cold. Why? Because if it’s too cold, ants will dig themselves deep into the nest, making them concealed and fewer chances of dying from hot water.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Ants?
Like I have mentioned above, ants can kill guinea pigs that are weak, sick, and dying. However, how about healthy guinea pigs? Can they fight back against ants and eat ants? Here is the answer!
Can guinea pigs eat ants? If ants happen to wander into your guinea pig’s cage, there is no harm if your guinea pig eats them. But only if the ants are not poisonous. If it is a poisonous ant, your guinea pig is in danger! However, ants are not naturally something that your guinea pig would eat.
Red ants should be avoided because of their poisonous nature. That is why if you see lots of red ants visiting or wandering your guinea pig’s house, you have to do something immediately!
How About Other Insects? Can Guinea Pigs Eat Them?
Aside from ants, other insects might approach the cage of your guinea pig. These can be spiders, crickets, cockroaches, and more!
Insects can be effortlessly found in our homes or outside our house. They are living everywhere! Sometimes our guinea pigs will encounter insects, especially if you take them out of their cage. However, what if guinea pigs eat these insects? Can guinea pigs eat insects?
Guinea pigs are herbivores. That is why they might not eat insects consciously. However, sometimes, guinea pigs may eat one because of confusion. For example, if your guinea pig finds a fly or an ant on their hay, they might eat it unintentionally. Sometimes, guinea pigs may eat insects out of curiosity too.
Other Insects That Might Kill Or Harm Your Guinea Pig
Aside from ants, other insects might kill or harm your guinea pigs. What are those insects? The insects are spiders, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and other insects. Insects, especially poisonous ones, can hurt and kill your guinea pig. That is why you have to make sure to make your guinea pig’s cage clean and should be placed in a safe area.
Final Verdict
Ants can actually kill your guinea pig. However, only if your guinea pig is sick, weak, or dying. Why? Because sick or weak guinea pigs are more vulnerable and easy to attack for ants. However, strong and healthy guinea pigs will not attract ants because ants know that strong guinea pigs will fight back.
Aside from a weak or vulnerable guinea pig, a dirty cage can attract ants too. That is why you have to make sure that you clean the cage of your guinea pig regularly.
Source: pestsamurai.com, guineapig101.com
