More NIX/mite questions

[ChristinaM]

sorry, don't know which section this should go into...

brief rundown: I didn't quarentine :( My new bci has mites. My "snakeroom" aka guest bedroom has: 4 snakes, 1 iguana, 5 leopard gecko's, 3 rats, 3 betta's, and mealworm and superworm colonies, and crickets.

I'm using NIX based on the article by Nathan Curtis.

My questions:

1. Is it harmful for my snakes? I'm meaning if they lick it. The article says spray liberally including face, other places I've read that it is harmful if the snake licks it off.......ummmmmm. I sprayed it all over all of my snakes....yes they licked it. Is there something I need to do/worry about?

2. Should I remove the feeder bugs/rodents from the room while spraying?

3. Will bathing the snakes daily help at all?

4. should i change the substrate ( plain paper ) daily?

5. does temp have an affect on mites? ( ie: raising the temps inhibit the eggs hatching, or anything like that?)

mmm, I think that's it for now.

I will probally think of more questions, but I'm off clean/vacuum the snake room and spray anything I may have missed last night

sigh :(

edit: #6: I also have greens growing in this room for my lizards. They are higher than what I will be spraying, but I did spray yesterday without removing them.

are they still safe to feed?

[mykee]

Ok, I'll try to answer them all:

1. no, it is not harmful to your snakes, you can bathe them in it. Don't spray it directly into their mouths though.

2. No, you can leave all the feeders there, it's not like those harsh chemical mite removers where everything within a 100 foot radius dies (Provent-a-Mite). As long as you're just cleaning out enclosures, you'll have no problems.

3. Bathing daily is overkill. Completely clean the enclosure(s) that are infested twice a week, and bathe your snake the same. Everything should be mite-free within two weeks or even sooner.

4. Stick to either unprinted newspaper stock or paper towels. That way, you can see mites better if they are still looming. Also, be sure to change the water dish daily.

5. Stick to the same temps you have now. Mite eggs will hatch in a variety of temps, but you're going to KILL THEM ALL with your Nix treatment, so it's not a concern.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

[ChristinaM]

Originally posted by mykee


3. Bathing daily is overkill. Completely clean the enclosure(s) that are infested twice a week, and bathe your snake the same. Everything should be mite-free within two weeks or even sooner.



Ok, do you mean just normal clean, or spray with nix 2 times/wk?

thanks so much for the help.

[HeatherK]

oops double post

[HeatherK]

Bathing in Nix solution has caused death from drinking the water. The Nix treatment is so effective, that this bathing step is unnecessary anyway (you can do the soapy water soak if you want, but this won't stop the cycle). You can spray the nix solution on the animal. I only sprayed my snake once and with the rest of the treatment, was enough to erradicate them all within a very short period of time. I did not see any mites after the first treatment, but I believe I re-sprayed everything again at least every time the cage needed cleaning for a couple of weeks.

I believe higher temps will only speed up the mite life cycle.

Christina, I think mykee means spray with Nix solution 2x/week. If you have rack systems, you can also smear some petroleum jelly (vaseline) around the outsides of the ventilation holes to catch escapees.

[gonesnakee]

I would like too point something out in reguards to the snakes trying to drink the solution. I spray new specimens as part of an initial quarantine procedure. It is recommended that you offer the specimen water prior to doing so. Quite often because they have been in transport etc. they will be thirsty. It is best to have offered fresh drinking water first, prior to the "Nixing" of the animal. That way it has already had a drink & will not be likely to try & ingest NIX. I would also recomend removing the H2O bowls during treatment so the snakes can't bathe in them, washing the Nix off of them & into the water that they may drink. Just offer them water daily long enough to get a drink or if you do leave it in change it daily to avoid it being contaminated. Remember that an animal infested with mites is apt to soak so I'd recomend just removing it & offering the specimen clean water daily to have a drink from. looks like Mykee answered things pretty much already : ) I would keep the feeders away as far as they can be though if possible just in case as I'm not sure 100% on how they might be affected. I would think Mykee is right as long as there is no direct contact between them & the spray, but if i had a different spot for them for the next few weeks I would consider using it. Mites make a guy just paranoid in general though eh LOL Good Luck & Nathan's treatment (not that he created it, but has helped promote it lots) is the best I've ever used. Mark

[marisa]

I'd like to see the research and proof that a snake has died from drinking it. I am not doubting it but what I am doubting is that you have any real proof as it's probably just hearsay. If you do, I'd love to see it as this discussion was taking place on another forum and I'd like to add any page you can find that details a case of death from drinking NIX.

Most people agree that apparently only a couple snakes have died from NIX and that was using almost FULL strength. I have never ever heard of another case of death.

I bath mine IN NIX. It's simple to avoid them drinking it. You first give them a fast normal bath. If they drink great, if not fine too. Then you just WATCH while they are in the NIX bath. It's really very simple. Mark said it far better than I have.

Marisa

[Toirtis]

Having used the 'Nix Mix' quite successfully for about 12-13 years now (and quite often, considering all the rescue animals I deal with), I can attest to its efficacy and safety, but I would strongly suggest following Mark's advice to make sure the subjest is well hydrated first...and I would still advise against bathing the snake in the solution, as there is just too much of a risk of possible ingestion, even of tiny amounts (remember, this is a neurotoxic, chloinesterase-inhibiting poison we are dealing with here).

[Scales Zoo]

Originally posted by Toirtis
.....remember, this is a neurotoxic, chloinesterase-inhibiting poison....

Yeah, like, duh? Who doesn't know that?

Ryan

[Toirtis]

Originally posted by Scales Zoo
Yeah, like, duh? Who doesn't know that?

Ryan

Only you, my dear little neanderthal....

[mykee]

I personally have never had a problem with my snakes ingesting and dying from Nix, but it sounds like a safe precaution. In my experiences, my balls never submerge their heads when in a tub anyways, they're too busy looking for a way out. Great info though.

[HeatherK]

Originally posted by marisa
If you do, I'd love to see it as this discussion was taking place on another forum and I'd like to add any page you can find that details a case of death from drinking NIX.

Most people agree that apparently only a couple snakes have died from NIX and that was using almost FULL strength. I have never ever heard of another case of death.

I'm not sure about posting a link to another snake forum so I'll PM you, Marisa, and anyone else who is interested.

I hadn't heard of any cases of snakes dying from Nix treatment either (except for the coating it on snakes full strength deal :( ). Definately, the Nix is safe and extremely effective - when used correctly. Just like any chemical, you have to use some precautions.

Again, the Nix bath.. you can let the snake drink first to avoid it feeling the need to gulp the solution, or you could just omit both steps entirely and spray the snake with it quickly instead (I find they accept it better by aiming the nozzle upwards to let it fall like rain).