PAM questions

NewHerp293 · 08-06-14, 10:29 AM

So I found some mites on my rosy boa a while ago and used some zoo med mite off to get rid of the initial problem and cleaned the enclosure with a bleach solution. I didnt have any mites for a couple weeks but then I noticed a few little buggers crawling around so I decided it was about time to order my can of PAM and take care of these things for good. Im waiting for it to come in the mail now. I use aspen as a substrate and ive been questioning how to best use the PAM? Should I just spray the enclosure and then put new aspen in once its totally dry or should I also treat the aspen? And do I spray down the two hides that I also have?

Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions welcome!!

Cmwells90 · 08-06-14, 10:48 AM

I would advise no bedding for the first few weeks, using paper towels will do a load of good, they're easy to replace, and the mites show up really well on the white surface! Also keep the cage as minimal as possible, hides and water bowl, at least until you're sure they're gone. I had an issue with them laying eggs in my thermometer, so I ended up throwing it out and buying a new one, anything you can't soak, bake, or scrub I would just dispose of, they lay eggs everywhere and the eggs lay dormaint for weeks/months.

NewHerp293 · 08-06-14, 10:51 AM

Right now I have her in a smaller plastic tub with just a paper towel and a water dish left in occasionally for soaking and drinking. This tub is sitting inside the empty enclosure with about 1/3 on top of the heating pad.

shaunyboy · 08-06-14, 03:09 PM

i spray the inside of the tank,the tank contents,and the substrate

the only things you do NOT spray is the snake and water bowl

i would also put some aspen in a plastic bag and spray the aspen,then after 2 hours to allow the fumes to dissapate,seal the plastic bag,i then use the treated spare aspen,to replace any aspen substrate you remove when spot cleaning the tank

cheers shaun

SSSSnakes · 08-06-14, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

i spray the inside of the tank,the tank contents,and the substrate

the only things you do NOT spray is the snake and water bowl

i would also put some aspen in a plastic bag and spray the aspen,then after 2 hours to allow the fumes to dissapate,seal the plastic bag,i then use the treated spare aspen,to replace any aspen substrate you remove when spot cleaning the tank

cheers shaun

100% correct. This is the best way for PAM to work.

shaunyboy · 08-06-14, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmwells90

I would advise no bedding for the first few weeks, using paper towels will do a load of good, they're easy to replace, and the mites show up really well on the white surface! Also keep the cage as minimal as possible, hides and water bowl, at least until you're sure they're gone. I had an issue with them laying eggs in my thermometer, so I ended up throwing it out and buying a new one, anything you can't soak, bake, or scrub I would just dispose of, they lay eggs everywhere and the eggs lay dormaint for weeks/months.

^^^^^
what treatment did you use mate ?

provent a mite remains active for 30 days...

spray the substrate and all the tank contents.....

provent a mite remains active for 30 days,it kills the mites but not the eggs,it kills the mites as they emerge from the egg

imo its important that you spray the aspen as it keeps the provent a mite in the substrate so it can do its job

if you keep replacing the substrate as has been said,then you would have to treat every bit of new substrate/paper towel

cheers shaun

Cmwells90 · 08-06-14, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

^^^^^
what treatment did you use mate ?

provent a mite remains active for 30 days...

spray the substrate and all the tank contents.....

provent a mite remains active for 30 days,it kills the mites but not the eggs,it kills the mites as they emerge from the egg

imo its important that you spray the aspen as it keeps the provent a mite in the substrate so it can do its job

if you keep replacing the substrate as has been said,then you would have to treat every bit of new substrate/paper towel

cheers shaun

I used Prevent-a-mite myself. I just didn't enjoy that it was a chemical, so I only used it to kill the active mites on her and as a fume to kill the mites in the tank. So I throughtly cleaned the cage and all of the accessories, put my Boa in a temporary tank (I have extra's just in case) that was completly clean and only placed paper towels down and her hide and water. The infected tank was then cleaned several times and left outside for 2 days to heat dry, it was mid summer in las vegas and the inside of the cage got to around 150-175, which would kill remaining eggs and mites. I placed her back in her home cage after the time passed and another good rinse and I've never had them return. Not sure how it's usually done but this was the best fix for me and they stopped coming back.

NewHerp293 · 08-11-14, 01:37 PM

Well it arrived today during my lunch break!! Saying a little prayer that in about a month ill be totally mite free

treating the enclosure later tonight after I get some crickets for the leo

**millertime89** · 08-11-14, 03:17 PM

Shaun's directions are exactly what I do as well. I will actually spray enough in the cage that there is a fog and let it sit for about 30 minutes until it has all settled, then replace the snake and water bowl. The Natural Chemistry Reptile Spray from RBI also works extremely well and can be sprayed directly on the animal. I would still refrain from spraying their water bowl however.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/reptile-relief-8-oz.