Pesky Mite....

[MCB]

Found a couple of mites this morning on my Boa. Done the usual soak & strip down.
But when I was cleaning I thought to myself I wonder if those home steam cleaners would work any better than using chemicals, you know the ones you see on the shopping channels. They say are they about as good a sterile environment you'll get using steam?

Anyone used one, just a thought really.

[SSSSnakes]

I've used the steam cleaner to cleran my enclosure, once in a while. I prefer Prevent-A-Mite to get rid of mites.

[MCB]

I've used the steam cleaner to cleran my enclosure, once in a while. I prefer Prevent-A-Mite to get rid of mites.

Not sure if we can get that over here, guess it could branded under a different name perhaps? Who makes it?

[MCB]

Just been having a chat with a friend and he uses Callingtons Mite Spray, he's used Ardap which is a stronger version but only outside the viv as a preventative. Apparently if left to dry on a piece of newspaper it can be left in the viv and will carry on working. He uses it outside the viv on paper. Said it works great that way as a preventative combat.

[Terranaut]

Killing mites is kind of like treating cancer. The chemicals used are poison to your snake as well. The idea is that the concentration is enough to kill the mites but not enough to harm the snake. 2 treatments used that we know are reasonably safe for your snake are the Nix treatment and Provent a Mite. We know these are both safe and effective. Trying other peoples methods might be ok but we have had members here cause neurological issues and kill their snakes trying other methods. Prevent a Mite is available where you are. I would use it. Follow the lable and do not spray the snake. Good luck.

[Hyokenseisou]

I've a big fan of the Nix treatment as it's always worked well for me in the past. Being the whole one time I've needed to use it thankfully. I like to keep some on hand just in case or whenever anything new comes into my house and give it a spray when it's in quarantine.

[MCB]

Can't get PAM over here, apparently it's banned. Can get NIX (headlice treatment), what's the mix ratio you use then?

[MCB]

This is the Callingtons Mite Spray that gets very favourable reviews around UK forums.

Callington Mite Spray - User reviews (http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/compare-medications-a-treatments/Callington-Mite-Spray/reviews/)

[Kimmie]

I use BioKill which is really good, spray a bag so u can feel the wetness inside (why did that sound wrong lol) put the snake in for 20mins spray the cage without water ofc it is very bad if ur snake licks it I know first hand, close for 30mins or even 60mins if u wanna be sure, open for 10mins and put the snake back in u can even put it on paper so they die there.

[Kimmie]

don't spray on the snake only wipe them if u will, buuuut never near the head! i use frontline for wiping.

[Terranaut]

Talk to shaunyboy to get PAM. He uses it and is also in the UK.

[MCB]

Talk to shaunyboy to get PAM. He uses it and is also in the UK.

Will do, thanks

[Terranaut]

I'm not saying the other suggestions are wrong but I know this stuff works. Nix is mixed at 1 small bottle of the shampoo to 4 liters of distilled water. The left over lasts a year on a dark shelf. Both treatments have descriptions on here. Use the search and have a peek.

[Lankyrob]

Can't get PAM over here, apparently it's banned. Can get NIX (headlice treatment), what's the mix ratio you use then?

Ebay! Got mine with no issues :)

[MCB]

Ebay! Got mine with no issues :)

UK Ebay? Had a look but nothing, got a link?

[Lankyrob]

UK Ebay? Had a look but nothing, got a link?

CNt remember whether i got it UK or Worldwide but just checked and th isnt any on either :(

[Hyokenseisou]

Can't get PAM over here, apparently it's banned. Can get NIX (headlice treatment), what's the mix ratio you use then?
I use one bottle (creme version, not the shampoo), I believe it's like 6oz or something like that? To one 4L jug of distilled water.

[Terranaut]

I have had mites twice. Figured out it was me visiting a certain pet store. First time I used nix. Treated my entire collection by washing the sankes with it and cleaning their enclosures with it. 2 weeks later I repeated andthe mites were gone. The next time we got them I used Provent a Mite once , as directed, and never had them since. Both eliminated the mites but PAM was so easy. Take out the snake, clean enclosure, spray with PAM, wait for it to be dry to the touch and put the snake back. Done.

[MCB]

I have had mites twice. Figured out it was me visiting a certain pet store. First time I used nix. Treated my entire collection by washing the sankes with it and cleaning their enclosures with it. 2 weeks later I repeated andthe mites were gone. The next time we got them I used Provent a Mite once , as directed, and never had them since. Both eliminated the mites but PAM was so easy. Take out the snake, clean enclosure, spray with PAM, wait for it to be dry to the touch and put the snake back. Done.

Sounds very similar to Callingtons Mite Spray. I ordered some last night as like lankyrob said our Ebay had no PAM

[Tsubaki]

Ah sucks you got mites! good luck getting rid of them, and i have also used nix in the past. Can't say i was disappointed :D Never used Callingtons, and PAM isn't available here either. I pray there isn't a next time, but if i ever get mites again i will probably use NIX again. A friend of mine had very bad experience with Front-line (the only mite spray available here) And i will never use it myself.

Hmm i might check ebay for PAM though!

[MCB]

Ah sucks you got mites! good luck getting rid of them, and i have also used nix in the past. Can't say i was disappointed :D Never used Callingtons, and PAM isn't available here either. I pray there isn't a next time, but if i ever get mites again i will probably use NIX again. A friend of mine had very bad experience with Front-line (the only mite spray available here) And i will never use it myself.

Hmm i might check ebay for PAM though!

Thanks mate, vivs are stripped ready for treatment tomorrow with Callingtons, think I'll get some NIX too just incase.

[xSerpentGoddess]

I have a friend that bought predatory mites for his issue. Apparently once the snake mites are gone they cannibalize and wont harm the snake. I like the no chemicals aspect.

[Tsubaki]

I have used Predatory mites before, and they do work. Sadly, not as good for retics or any other animal requiring high temperatures. Because of their heat requirements they cant move around during the day, only at night. You would probably end up having to use them multiple times for severe mite infestations. Oh and it is not for the squeamish, if you look in your tub at night.. You can see everything crawling with mites chasing each other. :D But they don't harm the snake.

[MCB]

Callington Mite Spray worked fine I am happy to say :)

[Tsubaki]

That's good to hear :D

[Terranaut]

Glad it worked out for you.