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I need some advice about mite treatment

karabear25

karabear25

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I have a RTB that I just last night realized she has mites, found them in her water bowl, they aren't a super bad infestation at this point, but I still rushed out first thing this morning and purchased Zoomed Mite-Off.. (FTR: this is until I can get some PAM on the third) I treated as directed and cleaned everything completely. Replaced her substrate with newspaper, etc.

My big concern is she finally ended up staying in her hide for awhile but has returned to her water bowl... My question is, will her soaking in that soak off the mite-off and will it harm her if she ingests it... If so, what should I do? Replace her bowl with a smaller one she cannot soak in?

Thanks in advance.
 
What does the package/label say about it? If it is harmful, there should be some sort of warning - since the product is marketed for mite treatment (If it was an off label use, such a warning wouldn't be required/expected)
 
hhmoore said:
What does the package/label say about it? If it is harmful, there should be some sort of warning - since the product is marketed for mite treatment (If it was an off label use, such a warning wouldn't be required/expected)
Click to expand...

I'm not seeing any warnings about them drinking/soaking in their water, only a warning to not use on amphibians and arachnids... only the active and inert ingredients, use directions and storage and disposal directions.
 
If it doesn't say anything about water in the use directions, it should be okay...but most of the (effective) mite treatments say to remove the water
 
Okay I just wanted to double check.. It doesn't say anything about removing the water but I did anyway just to be on the safe side, washed the bowl well and put clean water in there, waited until the stuff dried before replacing her or the water bowl. Thanks for the advice. I'm relatively new to snakes in general so I was a mess last night when my hubby woke me up and showed me the water bowl..
 
You'll want to buy Provent-A-Mite. It's extremely effective. It doesn't treat the snake directly, but it will kill all mites that drop off your snake. To treat your snake, you can also buy Reptile Spray. LLLReptile.com has a really good tutorial on how to get rid of mites on your snake. It will take time though, the life cycle of a mite is 60 days and there's no telling where they're hiding in your house right now. Be vigilant, be exceptionally clean, and stay on treatment schedule, and you'll be mite free in a couple of months.
 
Provent-A-Mite doesn't just kill the mites that drop off the snake...it isn't applied directly to the snake, but it kills mites in the enclosure & on the snake. Mite eradication shouldn't take a few months, either; used properly, an effective treatment method should totally kill off all life stages within a matter of weeks.
 
hhmoore said:
...an effective treatment method should totally kill off all life stages within a matter of weeks.
Click to expand...

Yes, but I am extremely paranoid! I'd rather not have to go through the whole drama again if I stick with the treatment for just a little longer than necessary. :D
 
With all the posts about Nix here, you HAD to drag one from another forum, didn't you, lol.

I'm curious about your statement that Nix is by far the best. Have you used Provent-A-Mite? Black Knight? BKII? RID? Equate bedding spray? Do you have any actual comparison data to offer that shows WHY Nix is best, or evidence of failings of the other products? I'm not disputing that Nix works; but if I were looking at the option of Nix vs PAM (I've never used either product, btw), there are pros and cons for both. Nix is cheaper, PAM is easier and less time consuming. If one has a couple of snakes, the low cost of Nix might justify the hassle....but as the number of snakes goes up, PAM's ease of use outweighs the higher cost (and that can goes a loooooong way).
 
Mites are aggressive so you need to be very aggressive! I bought a frilled from LLL acouple yrs ago & I didnt know what a mite was til i found em on my frilled! There preaty nasty & breed like crazy!!! I tried it all! Sprays proventamite some other stuff from petco & none of it realy had an effect finally buckled down & took control! I clean the cages 2 times a day & only used pure white paper towels so that way I could get them gone! Soaked the frilled 3 times a day for a week & next thing you know they went from almost kiliing the frilled to a happy healthy frilled within 2 weeks! Gained weigh & started growing like crazy once I got them all gone! Hope you get it takein care of! I also put any beding I buy from stores in the freezer for 24hours just to make shure nothing comes from it! News paper is just way easier to clean IMO thou. GL again
 
Ok sorry for the bold statement but My opinion from using different types of methods Nix is the best. And Nix works good so why mess with something that works. I have used Provent-a-mite and it works but smells bad and nix has no fragerence. If I ever got mites again I would chose Nix over (PAM). And talking about PAM easy use, I feel that Nix is just as easy to use all you do is add water.
 
I only use Provent a Mite. Works great and it's easy. I like easy. Any new substrate gets treated as a precaution and the QT cage gets treated before a new arrival goes in it. Quick to use and works great as a preventative. Just don't forget you pretreated a tub holding all the extra substrate and grab some out of it when you change the bedding in a T's enclosure. It really does last a while. You'll end up with a dead T. :ack2:
 
Jrod24 said:
Ok sorry for the bold statement but My opinion from using different types of methods Nix is the best. And Nix works good so why mess with something that works. I have used Provent-a-mite and it works but smells bad and nix has no fragerence. If I ever got mites again I would chose Nix over (PAM). And talking about PAM easy use, I feel that Nix is just as easy to use all you do is add water.
Click to expand...

Having never used PAM, I was unaware of the smell; but (from what I've read) Nix has its drawbacks, too. Mixing, mess, and possibly a danger to the reptile (this may be relative to user technique). Also, depending on the quantity of animals you are dealing with, having to individually treat each animal and it's enclosure can be a big deal. I'm not trying to dissuade you - you can use whatever product that you want...but I sometimes take issue with people saying that one way is the best (if it is stated as their opinion, or based on their experience, I'm less likely to challenge it; but I may offer an opposing view if I have one).

Going back to PAM for a moment - I don't remember hearing complaints about the smell before. Steve, I know you've used it, what is your opinion. Anybody else? I've used Equate Bedding Spray and, while it has an odor, I wouldn't say that it is anywhere near bad (And I've sprayed it fairly heavily on the outside of racks, carpet, and floor surfaces - that, btw, would be another drawback of Nix...lack of ease in treating surrounding areas)
 
PAM has a slight odor but you are suppose to spray and let dry before you introduce the snake. Doing this outside helps with the smell and prevents breathing in stuff you probably shouldn't inhale, IMO. My brother did one treatment in his collection and we haven't seen mites in a couple months now.
 
Hey there! Here is another method that works well.The no pest strips work well and they last for months. If you get one,wear rubber gloves take the strip out of the pack,using a pair of sharp scissors cut a small chunk off put the rest in a ziplock baggie it will keep it's potentcy that way. Put the small piece in the housing unit,remove the water bowl while pest strip piece is in there.Leave in for 24hrs. take it out for 1-2 days and then repeat the process.Make sure if you touch that stuff to wash your hands thouroughly!!Also it is good practice to soak the snake for 20-30min.clean the inclosure yes use newspaper for your substrate while treating then place animal and product in the enclosure and this alsoworks well after the snake sheds,thats when the majority of your mites will come off and assists your goals of being mite free. I hope that this will help.I have been working in the herps field for over 30 years and I am one of the leading introduced exotic experts here in S.Fla. Any additional info,reach me @ [email protected] or feel free to call@(772-240-3456)
 
@George. Do you keep the snake in there with the strip? If you don't want it to touch your skin why would it be ok for the snake to touch it? Not picking at your idea, just seeing if I misunderstood it.
 
No,you did not misunderstand. We have permiable skin the snakes don't. Yes you put it in with the snake.If the snake has the mites and the tank does not,yes you have to have the snake in contact with the strip.I have worked for a couple of the largest import/exporters here and have been in the field forever. Myself and many otheres use this method,it sure beats using 7-dust,which is another aalternative. The strips seem to be the most effective though. I also have never had a death contributed to the use of this product. Just make sure you have plenty of ventilation. This stuff cannot be contained,too much intake can and will cause respiratory and neurological complications.24hrs.in out 2-3days out repeat 24hrs. Check cage for dead mites and the amount that are in the enclosure. That way you can tell how bad the infestation is or was. Anything else I can help with feel free to call (772-240-3456) Thanx for asking for the advice I like to help other repitle lovers.
 
Hi George. I just have a question. Those pest strips are sticky, right? That's how the bugs and dirt, dust, pet hair, etc stick to them, correct? Have you ever seen a picture of a snake after it has wrapped itself in tape? It is not a pretty picture, and I am sure that it doesn't feel good to the snake.

I would much rather spend the money on spray specifically designed for snakes and/or something like Equate if necessary than risk my snakes, which are my pets and very dear to me, with something that is so tape-like. This is just my opinion and I hope I do not come off as rude, as that is not my intention.

Rick
 
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