Midgies

[suga]

Does anyone know whether midgies can harm hamsters?

My oh and I occassionally get bitten and end up with nasty red marks on us and I was thinking about whether they would harm hamsters. I usually catch and put the midgies outside (they seem a bit dopey) but what about the ones I miss?

thanks

[Spuds Mum]

You know I don't know Suga.

We have had lots of them here this summer with the wet and the warmth though. And though I have had some wonderfully itchy bites over the summer, I have never noticed any midges near the hamsters.

It is more likely that the hamster would eat them I think before they could bite.

But I would be interested to hear others views.

[Jane]

I'm not sure either. I've never seen them in the hammies cages so yeah..have seen flies in there before though which usually get chased around the cage by me

No idea how the hammy would react to them..

[souffle]

I think that midges tend to prefer more 'bare' skin as it gives much easier access for their biting parts. The thick dense fur of a ham would probably be quite hard to bite through. I think they also home in on certain scents that are idea prey species and I doubt that hamsters are one of those. That is my idea anyway but I am not sure.