mites

mr.ektid · 03-29-03, 02:39 PM

i was wandering if anyone else has heard of possibly using predator mites as a way to get rid of reptile mites? supposedly they only feed on the reptile mites and eventually die off when they are all gone. it almost seems to easy to me, anyway any response will be appreciated.

fr0glet · 03-29-03, 03:39 PM

Yep! I've used them to treat insect mites.

If you have LARGE reptile mites (the black ones about 3mm across) they won't do you any good. If you have those, do a google search for the product "Provent-A-Mite", this stuff is safe for reptiles, simple to use, and totally eradicates mites if you follow the directions. I can't recommend it highly enough.

The predatory mites that can be used for teenytiny microscopic mites are called Hypoaspis sp. mites. You're right that they feed on other mites (and plant matter) and only live a couple of weeks and then die out.

You can buy them online here: http://www.biconet.com/biocontrol/hypoaspis.html and you will have more than enough. Get a friend to split them with you and share the cost!

Hope that helps.

Edwin · 03-29-03, 04:12 PM

You can also use Black Knight. This place sells them:

http://www.proexotics.com/FAQ_answer..._of_mites.html

However, what type of reptiles do you have? Both Black Knight and Provent-a-Mite may damage hatchling/newborn snakes and lizards, as well as most amphibians.

Some people use diluted Nix, but I have never tried the stuff.

Hope this helps.

Burmies · 03-29-03, 04:13 PM

It is safe to say that i have never heard of that. I just use Black Knight and i only had to use it once.

Burmies

mr.ektid · 03-29-03, 08:56 PM

thanks for your help. i have a two year old ball python and a red tail that is about 8 months old, is black knight safe to use on them? also in dealing with this whole mite problem i think the red tail has gotten extremely agitated, before he was really tame and now when i try to handle him he strikes at me and has bitten me twice. has anyone else had this problem and if so do you have any advice?

Zoe · 03-29-03, 09:06 PM

Hi,
I wouldn't use Black Knight on snakes that young. It's PROBABLY okay if you follow the instructions to the letter, but i think an 8 month old snake would be easier to kill with the fumes.
I used nix on all my snakes when i had mite problems and it's always worked great for me. theres good info at http://www.moreliaspilota.com

Thanks
Zoe

Pixie · 03-29-03, 10:10 PM

I also second the use of nix as a mite treatment as I've used it in the past on very young corn snakes without any noticable side effects. The dilution I was recommended and that I used with great success is one Nix bottle (59ml/2oz) to 1 gallon of water. Clean and disinfect the terrarium and everything in it then spray it down with the solution and also spray your snakes well, head and all.

I've never seen any mites after a first treatment but have always done a 3 treatment 1/week deal to get rid of mites and it's worked really great for me. I was really scared of using anything else because some of my snake were very young and tiny.

Pixie

Edwin · 03-29-03, 11:26 PM

Yeah, I second Zoe's statement... I wouldn't use either Black Knight or Provent-a-Mite on such a young snake.. it wouldn't kill your snake, but there may be long-term side effects.

Try Pixie's suggestion, it seems to be the safest of the bunch. You should also try to find the source of those mites, and clean that out too... e.g. a recently acquired herp, substrate purchased from a reptile store etc.

Good luck!

Lasher · 03-29-03, 11:34 PM

A poor man's mite treatment is 5% seven dust. I have only had to use it once. I took the snakes out and dusted. I then waited a couple hours and vaccumed up all the dust (and substrate). There will be a little residue that will keep killing the mites for months to come. If your snake has a bad case, soak them in the tub for immediate relief until you can treat the enclosure.

tightsqueeze · 03-30-03, 07:50 PM

i use NIX i had a sever infestation awhile back and i consulted with JASON H he saved my whole collection i had noware to get any Provent_a_Mite at 10:00 at night so he and his wife Penny came over to my house that night with some NIX and helped me clean EVERYTHING and bleach all the tanks and watter bowls and hides....thanks again Jason and Penny

jay

erin2717 · 03-30-03, 10:22 PM

can anyone help me?? can i use rubbing alcohol on my green anole?? even if i dilute it...i don't have nix or blacknight

Zoe · 03-30-03, 10:27 PM

DON'T use rubbing alcohol. Very bad idea.
Go to the drug store and get nix shampoo... it's 10$ (less in the US), and use that diluted. It'll work, and it's safer.

erin2717 · 03-30-03, 10:30 PM

i need a home remedy frot right now...her front feet are all falling off too

erin2717 · 03-30-03, 10:32 PM

i put her in a seperate cage...away from the other 2 anoles and a tree frog...and its only happening to her...her front feet are starting to turn black toe by toe and shrivle up and like look like they're going to fall of...i don't know how to make her better but i want to try bad...she can't grip with her front toes

smart_ask · 04-02-03, 08:12 PM

For mites I've had good luck with reptile relief by Natural Chemistry. I treat all new additions large and small and have never had any side effects. You can spray it directly on the animal and all cage furnishings. The only limitation is you can't use it right after a shed. Natural Chemistry has a web page but I don't know if its available in Canada.

Respectfully,