Nix question

[rwg]

Well, after 2 years of snake keeping, I have my first case of snake mites. :( So, where do I get Nix, what am I looking for, and how do I use it? How frequently, and for how long do I use it. Thanks

[Jase_on]

Well nix is pretty easy to find, just go to your local pharmacy. Its a head lice shampoo or spray. When I encountered mites I started by soaking the snake in a diluted mix of water and dish detergent to get rid of any mites on the snake itself. Then after cleaning the enclosure I sprayed a light mist of the nix spray throughout the enclosure (without the snake) paying special attention to the lid. Also be sure that the water bowl in not within the enclosure when you spray. In my case this seemed to wipe them out entirely, but you may need to repeat the process. For that reason you may want to switch to newspaper substrate until the mites are gone (makes them easier to see as well as makes for easy cage cleaning.)

You can also do a search for "nix" and find plenty of info.

[joey]

I used to nix to treat all my snakes recently and one treatment wiped all the mites out. Check out this link--

http://www.reptilescanada.com/forums/showthread.php?t=834

good luck!

[mykee]

What Jase said, except "nix" the detergent solution and just bathe the snake in Nix. Also, use paper towels (plain white) until the problem is gone. Good luck.

[rwg]

I've already moved everyone onto unprinted newspaper until we're clear of it. Picked up Nix a few minutes ago. "Nix creme rinse 1% permethrin". I'll do more research on the net for dilution ratio etc and post back if I have further questions. Had a hard time finding it...you have to ask at the pharmacy counter. :)

Thanks
rg

[rwg]

[long post saying we should write and sticky a NIX howto has been deleted...]

after more searching, I found the link to Nathan Curtis's Nix document. It is excellent. Can we sticky a link to it? I know it's on ks, so maybe we should ask him permission to post it here in it's entirety, and sticky that. Anyone know him personally?

Roy

[gonesnakee]

Follow the link posted to RC site & look for my post. It has a link to a full paper in reguards to the PROPER Nix treatment for snake mites, Mark

[mykee]

I think it's about time that SOMEONE post a comprehensive how-to Nix on their website, so I'll do just that in the coming weeks.
RG, as a sidenote, when I ask for the big bottle of Nix at the pharmacy counter, I like to make a point of scratching my head and looking uncomfortable. Makes for some great looks.....

[JonD]

Originally posted by mykee
I think it's about time that SOMEONE post a comprehensive how-to Nix on their website, so I'll do just that in the coming weeks.
RG, as a sidenote, when I ask for the big bottle of Nix at the pharmacy counter, I like to make a point of scratching my head and looking uncomfortable. Makes for some great looks.....

LOL

I use the 15 ml bottle of NIX to 4 litres of distilled water. It works perfect...;)

[gonesnakee]

I have really long hair & buy a few bottles at a time LOL Actually Mykee there is a full detailed NIX treatment etc. on the TARAS site ie: the link I mentioned. I have a little more time now so here it is again, Mark http://www.albertareptilesociety.org/caresheets/nix.html

[rwg]

Hey Mods...

Can we get a post with this link stickied somewhere prominant. The information is excellent. When I tried to find it through the ssnakess site, I had to go to the 3rd page of a search, find Mark's post, follow the link, click to the second page of discussion, follow another link, and then click on yet another link. A question asked with this frequency should be more easily answered.

[wiseman001]

Go to home depot... there is this bug killer completly harmless I have used this for a long time.. I had a nasty case of mites.. for about 4 months.. I tried the nixs for a while it worked for short term.. my baby boa had it bad almost infested at one point, cleaning the tank 2ice a day... I have since STOPPED using sudstrate and now use newpaper

Now I use "VAPORA" looks like cheese.. safe for cats dogs, rats, mice...comes with its own hanger, O ya safe for ppl also..

My rats had a bad case of mites also thats where I think i got ot from a petstore..

Anyways its a good product ALL the mites are gone havent had a problem in about 3 months..i hang it near the rats tank if I start seeing mites again if not i zip it in a ziplock and put it away..

[JonD]

Originally posted by wiseman001
Go to home depot... there is this bug killer completly harmless I have used this for a long time.. I had a nasty case of mites.. for about 4 months.. I tried the nixs for a while it worked for short term.. my baby boa had it bad almost infested at one point, cleaning the tank 2ice a day... I have since STOPPED using sudstrate and now use newpaper

Now I use "VAPORA" looks like cheese.. safe for cats dogs, rats, mice...comes with its own hanger, O ya safe for ppl also..

My rats had a bad case of mites also thats where I think i got ot from a petstore..

Anyways its a good product ALL the mites are gone havent had a problem in about 3 months..i hang it near the rats tank if I start seeing mites again if not i zip it in a ziplock and put it away..

This post was about NIX, not different ways to kill mites:p

I'm not sure how NIX only worked "short term" for you but, if done correctly, will eliminate them completely with one application.. I treat all my new additions with NIX and have brought in new snakes with mites and new had any issues..

[mykee]

Wiseman, you mean "Vapona", and if you read the instructions very carefully, it's not as safe as you think. Says right on the package that you shouldn't keep it in an unventilated room and any other pets should be in another room while using the product.
Also, Nix (or any mite product) doesn't work "short term" it either kills the infestation, or it doesn't.
I've been using Nix for 3 years now and it's worked 100% of the timee I have needed it.

[JonD]

Originally posted by mykee
Wiseman, you mean "Vapona", and if you read the instructions very carefully, it's not as safe as you think. Says right on the package that you shouldn't keep it in an unventilated room and any other pets should be in another room while using the product.
Also, Nix (or any mite product) doesn't work "short term" it either kills the infestation, or it doesn't.
I've been using Nix for 3 years now and it's worked 100% of the timee I have needed it.
Agreed Mykee, been using it flawlessly for a while now!

[greenman1867]

Does anyone know how long mite eggs can stay dormant before hatching?

[gonesnakee]

As per my other forum reply LOL I'll say it again, NOPE, but I do know that Nix will not only kill all the mites, but all their eggs as well. Mark
P.S. in reguards to other mites on rats etc. Snake Mites are host specific. That means they only feed on snakes, nothing else. Only a snake can ever get snake mites & they don't come from rats.
P.P.S. Vapona is very toxic & is not recommended for use with or around animals, whereas NIX is a product designed to be used on humans in full concentration. That alone should make it very clear on which is safer to use. Especially when for snakes as it is extremely diluted as per the proper use.

[mykee]

Wiseman, where did you read or whom did you hear from that "Vapona" was safe for animals, rats, people etc.? You seemed pretty adamant....

[wiseman001]

said it right on the package..

I have used NIX.. and U'r WRONG its not long term.. I used it for a while on my baby boa.. scrubed her tank 2 times a day and they still came back..

AS SOON AS I started on vapora.. I have YET to see a mite.. in over 2- months... there ALL GONE..every last one of them !!lil basterds..I use to pull off 15-20 a day sometimes.. they were in the wood til I submerged in hot water for 2 days..filling up the tank to the rim for a few days..and still comin back...

BUT as soon as I talked to someone about this vapora.. PROBLEM SOLVED !!

But its up to u..I could careless what others think or use ! just a suggestion.