Unusual Mite Problem

[Kugellager]

I was in one of my local pet supply stores today when one of the clerks whom I know well called me over to ask me a question.

They have an infestation of mites that they have had no success eradicating. It seems that Pyrethrum is having no effect on control. The mites do not appear to be affecting the herps but are seen on the feeder rats/mice as well as on opens surfaces nearby. They also suspect they are either getting bitten by them or feel them crawling on themselves. They suspect they came in on the feeders. I took a look at the mites and they are very similar appearance to Hypoaspis miles in that they are very tiny (about .5-1.0mm), grey in color and fast moving as are the H.miles.

I had a suggestion they might be chiggers and asked if they were getting bitten between the fingers, toes etc...he said no...I also asked if they had anything like spanish moss (Tillandsia usenoides) which could have brought them in as I know they can be found on/in it in Florida...There was no spanish moss...because of this I still suspect the origins are from the feeders.

Anyone have any suggestions on what they might be or how to safely combat the infestation?

John
];')

 

[Lycanthrope]

Is this a Petco by any chance?

 

[Kugellager]

Is this a Petco by any chance?

Surprisingly no.

John
];')

 

[Wade]

I agree that they're probably coming from the feeder rodents, or alternately, birds. I wonder if some of the treatments used on birds might be effective.

Wade

 

[Lycanthrope]

There's a Petco not far from me that got an animal delivery recently, infested
with what the vet has identified as poultry mites. Unfortunately, they sold several animals before finding the problem, and a woman's house became infested with them. Her cats had to see a vet for treatment, and one of them had a severe allergic reaction to the bites. She had to board her animals and bomb her house THREE TIMES before she was finally rid of the problem. On a side note, I noticed them all over the gerbils when I inspected our animal delivery, and sent them right back where they came from.

 

[Kugellager]

The thing is ...they have no birds...only herps, a few inverts and feeders and supplies for both pet groups...the problem is mostly confined to their back room area as that is where they breed some of the feeders.

Are avian pesticides a problem for the other animals?...They obviously have to be careful because of the inverts and the feeder inverts.

John
];')

 

[Wade]

Way back when I got my first python (like '88 or '89) she got mites and the pet store recomended a thing called a "bird protector" (brand name). It was a tin disk with holes in it containing some sort of fumigant. It had a wire hanger on the back of it. And it worked very well with no problems for the snake. I suspect it may be the same chemical as seen in the "no pest" strips, but packaged more conviently for cage use.

Back then I didn't have inverts yet, and I would be very cautious about using something like that anywhere near my inverts, BUT I started working part time at a pet store recently and I discovered that they were using similar devices in cages with new snakes. In the same room they have many tarantulas, scorpions, etc. for sale and there have been no observable problems.

Might be something to consider. Obviously it would be safer if feeder insects and arachnids were in a seperate room.

Wade

 

[kyle_de_aussie]

I was in one of my local pet supply stores today when one of the clerks whom I know well called me over to ask me a question.

They have an infestation of mites that they have had no success eradicating. It seems that Pyrethrum is having no effect on control. The mites do not appear to be affecting the herps but are seen on the feeder rats/mice as well as on opens surfaces nearby. They also suspect they are either getting bitten by them or feel them crawling on themselves. They suspect they came in on the feeders. I took a look at the mites and they are very similar appearance to Hypoaspis miles in that they are very tiny (about .5-1.0mm), grey in color and fast moving as are the H.miles.

I had a suggestion they might be chiggers and asked if they were getting bitten between the fingers, toes etc...he said no...I also asked if they had anything like spanish moss (Tillandsia usenoides) which could have brought them in as I know they can be found on/in it in Florida...There was no spanish moss...because of this I still suspect the origins are from the feeders.

Anyone have any suggestions on what they might be or how to safely combat the infestation?

John
];')

You say they looked a lot like hypoaspis arent hypoaspis a predatory mite that you use to kill mites on t's and scorps ???????

 

[Wade]

He's saying that they have a simmilar appearance, not that he thinks they are them. Yes, Hypoaspis the the predatory mite.

Wade

 

[kyle_de_aussie]

Yeah i thought so i was just checking because i have some ordered

 

[Kugellager]

Kyle...what Wade said.

I have used the H.miles...they work very well...no mites in any of my enclosures anymore...spread to all enclosures...some still have some in it...definitly worth the $$...H.miles that is.

John
];')

 

[Lycanthrope]

I neglected to mention that the "poultry mites" in question were traced to a gerbil she had bought at that particular Petco. So I guess either avian mites can feed on mammals, or the vet doesn't know his mites.

 

[kyle_de_aussie]

Kyle...what Wade said.

I have used the H.miles...they work very well...no mites in any of my enclosures anymore...spread to all enclosures...some still have some in it...definitly worth the $$...H.miles that is.

John
];')

Thanx for the info man cant wait to get rid of these damn stinkin bloody mites off my favourite t

 

[Kugellager]

Mimic,

Remember the problem I and checking out is in a pet store with no carpets and 100's of animals.

RE: poultry mites...I'll look into that...

John
];')