Help - small bugs in water bowl?!

[cypher]

I guess you could freeze the substrate from the cage if you want to reuse it, I don’t think freezing new is necessary using kaytee c & C.
I can’t remember where I got my safe4 of hand, I have the 5L concentrate & just google who’s cheapest when I need more (that’s not all for the hams btw!) but lots of places sell the small bottles unless it’s one of those things still out of stock so I would just give it a google.
I don’t see how bottled water would have any bearing on the bug problem, if you’re tap water is ok then I would use that anyway as some bottled water has a high mineral content, otherwise filtered water is better.

[RolyRocks]

Thanks so much for all your help guys!
Just a thought.. do you disinfect wood? Just worried if it seeps in and then is it not a risk to hamsters if they chew it?
I've managed to get hold of a spare cage to keep him in whilst I deep clean his. I just worry as we're not sure what they are I think I would feel happier to try and get rid of them. I thought about putting some of his bedding in with his scent on it but then I guess that would be stupid in case there are any white bugs in it! You would never see them against white bedding!
I fear this is really going to stress my poor little fella out especially if all the smells are new... I don't know what else I can do though!

[Ria P]

I'd have a look if these bugs are anywhere else aside from Loki's cage. There may be a source somewhere.

[hammielandlovely]

Originally Posted by RolyRocks

Help - I just went to put some fresh water in my hamsters bowl and found a little cluster of tiny white bugs on the inside edge of the bowl. It looked like a circle of white dots and when I looked closer they were moving!! What are they and why were they in his water bowl??
He has a bowl instead of a bottle because I got him when he was older and that's what he had been used to and even though I tried a bottle he never really used it. His water bowl is close to his food bowl and I had a good look in there and couldn't see anything. Obviously I took them both out and gave them a thorough clean but could they be everywhere in his cage?!
I give him mineral water out a bottle daily and have never seen these bugs before... it's making me itch just thinking about them!!
Please help!

Update - Found a couple more very tiny brown bugs on top of his wooden shelf where I keep his food and water bowls. Does this mean a complete cage clean out is required?! I have no idea where they have come from as I freeze food, toys, treats etc!

hey, ive never used this website before so idk if im using the right way to contact you but i have the same description of the bugs in my hamsters enclosure and i keep going back and forth as to what they are and what to do to get rid of them, did you ever find out what bugs they are? i looked at your image attached and mine are the exact same, in crowds and they seem to have made a path leading to my hamsters water bowl, so overall my question is did you identify the bugs and how did you get rid of them (if you did), and how long did it take to get rid of them? (once again, if you did) thanks!

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

Hey!
My hamster had bugs when I got him. I cleaned, I froze bedding and food and everything and I cleaned all of my apartment + I cleaned the cage with vinegar. Nothing helped.
The problem was solved when I took him to a vet and he gave him some shot.
I'm guessing Ria P and some other members remember me fighting with bugs and asking for the same advice. Eventually only the vet was able to help my hamster and ever since then the bugs have disappeared.

I often take my hamster to a vet checkup. I always go to different vets because they all tell me different things.

Some vets have told me that his weight is okay, but the last vet told me that he's extremely obese and now we're losing weight. Also, the vet that told me that he's extremely obese told me not to use store bought food. She gave me a list of what food hamsters should eat and so I ordered the food online. It's not a bad idea to visit different vets when you are a new hamster owner and know nothing about hamsters. There's so much misinformation about hamsters online.
Doing great actually.

[Amethyst_ice]

These were booklice, they are common in many households, not just pets and will cause no harm to your hamster. Please also look at the date threads were posted, this was a year ago