Lost 3 mice on 3 days due to bot fly larvae

[TinyPaws]

I have been in Ohio a very long time and have had many animals yet never once have I encountered one of my babies with a bot fly. I guess my question is this, where are they coming from and how are they getting into these tanks? What do I do?

[island rehabber]

wow, TP that is awful...I am so sorry. We Don't have them in my area either so I am of no help to you here, just wanted to respond with condolences. Is there anything that has changed in their environment? A new plant, even, that could have brought the flies in?

[TinyPaws]

No nothing I can think of. I know the warmer climates have them but never heard of anyone having bot fly issues here in Ohio. Climate control may be beginning to have an affect on these things, I don't know. The past 2 years temps in june were heat waves but I am finding these things now where temps are cold and even our shimmer wasn't so hot. I haven't even seen 1 fly in my house. Lots of stink bugs but I leave then alone. I just pray I don't have any more issues like this. One of my mice was one I called baby girl and she lived being held and would vibrate in my hand. It just kills me. I would fumigate but I can't with the animals.

[HRT4SQRLS]

This is the strangest thing I’ve ever heard of. Are you sure they’re bot flies? I can’t even imagine a bot fly in the house. I am very familiar with them because they are rampant in the summer months in the wild population here in FL.

[TinyPaws]

Yes. They are large fat blackish brown larvae that were burrowed under the skin. I googled bot flies and there is a species called the Ohio bot fly. How it got into the house is a mystery. And how they got into screened aquariums is yet another mystery. I have checked nearly every one of my babies and they seem fine. I have changed everyones bedding and washed down the cages. I hope it's the end of them.