Rats/Mice & Mites

[Wizwise2000]

I've heard of people getting mites with their rats and mice from pet stores. I didn't know this was possible. I've been breeding mice for my corn and I'm a little concerned about this. If this is infact possible how do the rodents get the mites? How can I ensure that my rodents are mite free?

Thanks in advance
Shane

[Gregg M]

Reptilian mites and mamalian mites are totally different......... I would not be too worried about it....... They sell powders to rid mites in rodent collections.......

[M_surinamensis]

There are mites which will infest rodents, which can be a massive pain to deal with, especially if you have herps.

Most mites are very specific about the type of organism they'll feed on. If you have mites infesting your rodents rather than just being transported on them, then chances are good that they'll have no interest in your herps.

However... you can't use a chemical product to clear away the mites prior to feeding your rodents to a reptile. You can remove the mites very easily with provent-a-mite or black knight or even some flea powder (puppy or kitten formula, in a very small amount, under the bedding) but the rodents are then pretty toxic for awhile... Feeding them to a herp would cause some problems, being coated in poisons as they are.

The easiest solution I've ever seen to this kind of problem is to scrap your rodent colonies and start over. Someone might have another solution but the alternatives I have heard of in the past were generally fairly expensive and left the rodents unuseable for around a month (or more).

[Wizwise2000]

I see, so they can harm reptiles. Anyone have any ideas how I can tell if I have mites with my rodents? Or what causes one to get mites in a rodent colony?

Thanks
Shane

[Gregg M]

Nope...... Reptile mites only feed on reptiles and mamal mites feed on mamals....... Some species of mite feed on mamals and birds but not on reptiles......... There is no mite that feeds on reptils and mamals....... But who wants any kind of mite???? Mites you find on rodents will also feed on you if given the chance......