first problem with mites

[hardlucktattoo]

OK I rescued a BCI today and it had a problem with mites I have never had to deal with mites before so I did some research and tried veggie oil on a rag and changed out the bedding and cleaned the tank she is in the midle of a shed after i wiped her down with veggie oil i soaked her in water but she is still oily I was just wondering if this was going to be a problem and i should consider trying to get the oiliness to go away or leave it alone and it should be fine just curious please let me know I will post pics after she sheds

 

[gecko_keeper/KBfauna]

I never had much luck with veggie oil, for a long term solution. May just be me. We always used provent-a-mite from LLL. It's been a few years since I've needed it. But a quick light spray around the cage, and let it air out. Never had any ill effects from it.

GK

 

[hardlucktattoo]

I never had much luck with veggie oil, for a long term solution. May just be me. We always used provent-a-mite from LLL. It's been a few years since I've needed it. But a quick light spray around the cage, and let it air out. Never had any ill effects from it.

GK

Well I am not too concerned with relapse seeing as how I think It was directly related to the bedding however i will keep that in mind if i do have such a problem my question is directly related to the oily residue left over from wiping it down with the oil I was just curious if i should attempt to reduce the oil or leave it

 

[Mushroom Spore]

The residue is kinda icky, but I don't think it'll hurt anything. Especially since the snake is shedding, so the residue will probably come off with the skin anyway.

 

[UrbanJungles]

Avoid yourself alot of hassle and mess and get a product called Provent-A-Mite made by Pro Products in NY (although you'll not want to be applying this stuff anywhere near your spiders). Its a spray that you spray in the snakes cage, once it dries it's safe to use around spiders as long as they don't come in contact with treated surfaces. It protects for over 30 days which effectively kills the mite life cycle and is safe for your snake.

Mites can get out of hand pretty quickly!

 

[hardlucktattoo]

Avoid yourself alot of hassle and mess and get a product called Provent-A-Mite made by Pro Products in NY (although you'll not want to be applying this stuff anywhere near your spiders). Its a spray that you spray in the snakes cage, once it dries it's safe to use around spiders as long as they don't come in contact with treated surfaces. It protects for over 30 days which effectively kills the mite life cycle and is safe for your snake.

Mites can get out of hand pretty quickly!

yea I keep most of my snakes and spiders in the same room but that is separate from the quarantine room but I only quarantine for a week before introducing new additions never mind that i just reread as i was typing i will look into it but i do prefer natural solutions even if it does mean more work on my part Like I said I dont see it being a continuing problem it was rescued not really covered but it had a number on it i think it was w/c or it came from the bedding its just a baby not even 2 foot long yet

 

[Shrike]

While you are dealing with this problem I would recommend switching to a substrate that is easily changed, such as newspaper. Other substrates just make it to hard to spot mites and give them too many places to hide. Remove your snakes, gently wipe them down to remove as many mites as possible, and place them somewhere safe. Afterwards, thoroughly clean your enclosures and let them dry out. At any pharmacy you can buy sprays that are for killing head lice. You will notice that these sprays have the same active ingredients as the more expensive products marketed for reptiles. Provide a light coating of this product over the entire surface of your enclosure. Don't over do it, but be thorough. Allow the spray to dry completely and air out before refurnishing your enclosure (By the way, I would throw out the old furnishing and start fresh). Place your snakes back inside. I would offer water periodically under supervision while you are treating this problem, but would not leave the dish unattended. Burms like to soak, and some of the product could dissolve into the water and become ingested. After placing the snakes back in their enclosure, all the mites living on them will be killed very quickly. Wait 2-3 weeks to ensure that any eggs still in the enclosure will hatch and also die. Wash out your enclosure to remove the spray residue. You should be mite free at this point. Of course, this process can be repeated if need be. This solution can be very effective but must be undertaken with care because it involves the use of chemicals. Care must be taken that the snakes do not ingest the spray, and that the spray remains dry. Also, keep this stuff away from your T's. Good luck!

 

[UrbanJungles]

Precisely why you want "the expensive stuff" (which is like 3 dollars more expensive than what you buy at a pharmacy ) it's made for use with reptiles and high humidity environments. Once the aerosol dries, the surface is treated in a manner that it can be misted or re-moistened without fear of the chemicals coming off the treated surface or being ingested or inhaled by the snake. It's completely harmless to reptiles which would make sense if you are treating one...

 

[reverendsterlin]

Provent-a-Mite (as stated) or Black Knight mite spray both work well or find my write up on predator mites in the insect or T discussion forums for a natural solution

 

[Red Eyes]

There are alot of people who swear by using Nix (available at Wal Mart, Walgreens) and have had great success. Also available is Provent-a-Mite and Black Knight (here is something from Ralph Davis http://www.ralphdavisreptiles.com/matrix/ralphs_words/black_knight.asp). They are similar products and usually only available in pet stores (so I hear, I'm in Canada so it's not readily available up here) and or on-line (http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/vitamins-medicines-and-cage-cleaners/). Then there is this product called Reptile Relief (this is quoted from their website "... Reptile Relief can be applied directly on pet, with no need to remove water or feed dispensers from habitat! ... " which is usually available in pet stores or on-line which alot of people say is very effective http://naturalchemistry.com/pet-products/products/show/52. Best of luck in getting rid of the mites!

 

[Philth]

Provent-A-Mite made by Pro Products in NY

I dont think there in NY, in fact prevent a mite is illegal in NY. Not that you cant get it though.

Later, Tom

 

[reverendsterlin]

I dont think there in NY, in fact prevent a mite is illegal in NY. Not that you cant get it though.

Later, Tom

ProProducts
Address: 36 Split Rock Road
Mahopac, NY 10541

E-mail: promist@comcast.net
Telephone: 845-628-8960
Fax: 845-628-8610

 

[UrbanJungles]

I dont think there in NY, in fact prevent a mite is illegal in NY. Not that you cant get it though.

Later, Tom

Yup, he's in NY...just doesn't sell his product in state as you can see at the W.P. Shows.

 

[Shrike]

The cost difference between Prevent-a-Mite and cheaper pharmacy products is much higher than three dollars. Look it up. The active ingredients in are exactly the same...Permethrin. Just because the active ingredient is contained in a product marketed specifically for reptiles doesn't mean it is any safer. Hardluck, if you opt for Prevent-a-Mite, I would still excercise some degree of caution with the product and contact with water. That being said, the method described in my earlier post was demonstrated to me by an experienced reptile breeder. I know that this is a widely accepted method of mite treatment. I've used it myself and still have a happy, healthy, mite-free snake.

 

[UrbanJungles]

Actually, it's not a significant difference in price as much as I can tell...

http://www.riteaid.com/stores/instore_specials/detail_item.jsf?tnumber=T09460&categoryId=2 (19.99)

http://www.duane-reade.com/cgibin/cart/search.cgi?user_id=id (10.99)

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=94204&catid=782 (15.99 on sale)


Provent-A-Mite costs 14.95 AND is specifically formulated for the job, if you can't spend an extra 5 dollars for your reptile's (Best possible) care then maybe you shouldn't have one to begin with...

From Pro-Products Website:

Provent-a-mite™ is the only product that is approved by the EPA & USDA for use with all species of reptiles, including tortoises. Some other products illegally make this claim when the product is only EPA approved for use with snakes or not EPA approved for use with reptiles at all.

With an application rate for Provent-a-mite™ of only 1 sec/ft2 compared to a rate of 4 sec/ft2 (4 times more based on manufactures label dosage rates) required with some other products, Provent-a-mite™ uses much less to treat an enclosure per application and will continue to remain effective for 30 days or more, making it less expensive than any other product to eradicate an infestation.

Provent-a-mite™ is specifically formulated for use with all reptiles and has been extensively tested to be sure it will not pose any health risk to a reptile, either acutely or chronically when used as directed. No other product has our patented formula and many other formulas, despite any claim, do use chemicals that may potentially harm your animals. Since all formulas are a trade secret, there is no way to tell. Only by using an EPA registered product specifically approved for use with all reptiles will you have the assurance and peace of mind that the product will not cause any adverse effects.

No current product can make any claim that it will kill eggs. Provent-a-mite™ is the only product that is proven to provide long-term residual protection, so it will kill any larval mites or ticks when they hatch and try to infest your reptiles. All other products quickly break down, becoming ineffective soon after drying.

Provent-a-mite™ uses a water based formula, instead of a solvent based mixture and has been tested extensively and used successfully for more than 25 years by leading zoos, breeders and hobbyists worldwide, assuring it will not create any health risk to your animals when used as directed.

 

[Shrike]

As my snake is 100% healthy, I don't need to be lectured by you. The method that I described has not only worked for me, but for many other hobbyists, breeders, etc. If you prefer another product, that is your prerogative, but get off your high horse. Thanks.

 

[UrbanJungles]

No one was lecturing you...just simply stating some facts....the type of facts brought about by years of research and development, not heresay.

 

[Shrike]

Oh! I didn't realize that you were a research scientist involved in the development of Prevent-A-Mite. If so, you would certainly be an expert on its chemistry and potential effects on reptiles. If not, that might also qualify as hearsay. What are you trying to prove? My method has worked successfully. Call that hearsay...call it whatever you want. Somebody asked a question and I threw my two cents out there in an effort to help. That is all.

 

[UrbanJungles]

Oh! I didn't realize that you were a research scientist involved in the development of Prevent-A-Mite. If so, you would certainly be an expert on its chemistry and potential effects on reptiles. If not, that might also qualify as hearsay. What are you trying to prove? My method has worked successfully. Call that hearsay...call it whatever you want. Somebody asked a question and I threw my two cents out there in an effort to help. That is all.

Actually...I just happen to be a research scientist and my specialty does happen to fall within the discipline of herpetology and although I had nothing to do with the development of the product in question I would however be glad to take a stab at any specific questions you have with regards to potential effects on reptiles.

The fact that you can obtain any of the information pertaining to Provent-A-Mite's Research & Development directly from the manufacturer actually proves that it's a bit more than "Heresay", wouldn't you agree?

 

[Shrike]

No, I wouldn't.

"No other product has our patented formula and many other formulas, despite any claim, do use chemicals that may potentially harm your animals. Since all formulas are a trade secret, there is no way to tell."

What you are referring to as facts, I call advertising spin. The formula of the product is a trade secret, so there isn't any way to verify the truth behind the advertising claims. I'm not aware of any scientific studies having been performed on the efficacy of Prevent-A-Mite in any respect). These "facts" that you are throwing out don't have any more substance than my first post on the subject.

I'm not saying the product doesn't work. I'm simply saying that it may not be the holy grail in eradicating and preventing mites. Other products or methods may also be effective.