07/26/2026
ATTENTION- MYIASIS. Do you know what that means? Commonly know as flystrike. Squirrels are having their second litters now and calls for orphans are coming in. Reuniting babies with their mom is our first priority but at this time of year ensure you COVER THE BABY with a towel so the following doesn't happen.
LEARN WHAT TO LOOK FOR.
With the hot weather, comes blowflies.They lay their eggs in wounds, on the skin or in the fur of any helpless animal.They are relentlessly and can lay hundreds and hundreds of eggs on any compromised animal that is still alive, injured or just stationary. Like this little orphan, who had been curled up, starving, waIting for his mother who never returned. Depending on the ambient temperature, these eggs can hatch in as little as 8 hours. Once hatched (sorry) the larvae/maggots (sorry again, but necessary) will feed on the animal. A single eggs look like a tiny, tiny piece of rice. They lay them in rows or masses. If this little boy, had not been rescued last night, he would have died today once the eggs hatched. Like many people, his rescuers didn't realize what was wrong. All I needed was this picture and I knew he was in trouble. Once I explained the urgency they brought him to me right away. The white streak in his tail was just the tip of the iceberg..It took us 2 hours to comb out the hundred+++ eggs hidden under his fur.
If you find an animal with flystrike or maggots...
KNOW WHAT TO DO. Remove the eggs with a flea comb or clean mascara wand. If hatched, gently bath the animal to remove all the larvae. Check in wounds, eyes, ears, nose, mouth and ge****ls. Then...Call your local Authorized Wildlife Rehabilitator immediately!
This little boy was lucky. If left untreated he would have suffered immense pain, bacterial infection, toxic shock and died.