Mites

[jonny666]

I have a question. What does everyone use for mite prevention? I'm old school so I use sevendust. Recently was on another forum and they use equate (wal-marts brand) lice and shampoo. Now I know you can use mite sprays for Reptiles but there is always other options just wondering what else is used.

[Will0W783]

I fortunately haven't run into mites in my collection yet (knock on wood)! RodentsPro.com has what seems like a good treatment description Getting rid of reptile mites (http://www.rodentpro.com/qpage_articles_02.asp)
I have also heard a lot about "Provent a Mite" and Reptile Relief. I have used Reptile Relief when I found a tick on a WC olive house snake, and I never noticed any other problems, but I don't know if it had any other parasites to begin with besides the one tick. From what I've heard though, if I do have a mite problem, I'll probably get Provent a Mite.

[jonny666]

I've only had mites from other peoples animals but I normally just put some sevendust in cage with some aspen when I quarantine. Change bedding once a week for about 2-3 weeks then no problems after that. Sevendust costs around 5-7 dollars a bag.

[Will0W783]

I've never heard of sevendust- where do you get it?

[jonny666]

Lawn and Garden store. Home Depot, Lowes etc.

[gonesnakee]

Bad Bad idea IMHO
As for quarantine it should be done on plain white papertowels.
How can you tell if there are even external parasites present if aspen shavings are used?
Why subject your new specimens to poison as a proplylatic practice? Carcigens are carcigens afterall & they kill everything dead if exposed to enough or over a long enough period of time ;)
I too used to treat ALL new aquisitions but now only treat as required.
If buying from reputable sources it should hopefully never be required to expose the snakes to poison.
Personally I use the NIX treatment for snake mites if it comes down to it.
The best overall all round treatment as far as I am concerned.
NIX is a creme risnse lice treatment for humans BTW NOT a poison to kills bugs, HOWEVER they ALL contain the same active ingredient peremithin (sp?) in whatever form (liquid.powder) in most all insect poisons. Even Ant poison has it but in higher concentrations. I'll have to dig up a link to the NIX treatmnet for those that choose to read about it more, Mark

[jonny666]

I have been using Sevendust for over ten years and never had any trouble. I understand what you are saying about carcinogens either way pick your poison (pun intended). When you get the info about NIX let me know. I assume that it is just like the Wal-Mart brand.

[gonesnakee]

The key thing is to compare the content of the active ingredient to make sure you dilute it appropriately. NIX of course is just a brand as well, but pretty much the standard. I would assume the WM brand would be the same but would definitely check. I'll edit right away with a link for you Mark
edit - coulddn;t get the link to work for me for some reason but it is located here TARAS - Caresheets (http://www.albertareptilesociety.org/index.php?page=caresheets)

[jonny666]

Thanks for the info. Next time i'm going to try the NIX when I get new snakes. It is always nice to know another solution.

[Will0W783]

Thanks Mark for the informative link! I'm printing out the Nix caresheet and filing it for reference. I haven't noticed any mites on any of my snakes- but one can never be too careful.

[Will0W783]

I'm currently using the Nix method to treat a mite outbreak in my collection (grrrrrrrr....disgusting, they remind me of fleas without the hopping legs...ewwww) and I wanted to know if I treat them all today, how long do I have to wait to feed them? I normally feed on Sundays and today is Saturday.

[Kmef07]

Thanks for the info. Next time i'm going to try the NIX when I get new snakes. It is always nice to know another solution.

wow nice to finally have a new member that will take advice and try other methods that people suggest. Kudos to you jonny!!!!!

[jonny666]

Hey I'm always looking to try something new. I'm not perfect although I tell myself that I am LOL. Anything new is always another option and always willing to learn something for future if it makes my snakes even healthier.

[siz]

That's what we like to hear! :D

[jonny666]

Hey I know it is a OT but I went to do my nightly rounds last night and noticed one of my female rats was having pups. I keep 1 male 2 females in tanks and have kept males in with the female after they have babies no problems. Last night the male was picking up the pups. I assumed he was going to eat them so I him out of said cage and kept the females together. Should i be worried about the females? Like I said this was the first time the male was aggressive in any way. They have plenty enough food and water so don't think that was the problem. Any ideas?

[Smilts]

Was it possibly another males pups? The males seem not to like other folks pups in there tubs. I only ever had problems with more than 2 females in the same tub.

[Will0W783]

I had female mice eat their own pups, but I don't know about rats.

[gonesnakee]

Sometimes they just do.
There are reasons why they do as well though.
If they run out of food or water they will eat them.
If they feel insecure or threatened they will eat them as well.
If they are overcrowded they will eat them too.
Make sure you provide enough space with enough proper hides/shelter & a steady supply of food & water.
If they still eat them then replace the eaters with other breeders. Not all of them make good parents/breeders.
As mentioned males will kill other males offspring. Its quite common, animals do it in the wild all the time.
Also once the female has no babies to nurse they will usually go to heat right away & the males get to breed again. Mark

[Will0W783]

Just wanted to add to this thread. I found mites on several of my snakes a few weeks ago, and decided to use the Nix method. Within a day after the first treatment the snakes seemed more relaxed and I was finding dead mites all over the paper liners and in water dishes. After the second treatment, I saw no more mites, suggesting they were all killed by the first round of treatment. I am giving the final treatment tonight, and I couldn't be happier with this method! It was well-tolerated by all the snakes; no one had any problems with it, even when my female blood snapped at the sprayer and got a mouthful...I was worried about her, but she's fine. Mark (gonesnakee) gave me tips and advice on how to do it all properly, and I highly recommend this method!!