PAM Question

[foxoftherose]

So, last Tuesday night, I noticed that my BP had mites. I feel a little bad for not noticing before, but I guess it's because Tuesday was the first day of handling him after a settling in period. So, I dumped out the bedding, sterilized his hides, water dish, and tub, and then PAM'ed the tub according to the directions on the can. Fast forward to today, and he still has mites. Should I give the PAM a bit longer to work, or should I start another treatment? I need to know soon, because today is feeding day, and I don't want to handle or treat him after he's eaten. Thanks!

[WingedWolfPsion]

It's only been a week, give it longer.

[LLLReptile]

Use it once a week for about three weeks. You can also use Reptile Relief to spray directly on the snake - using them both together is often the most effective way to treat them.

This article discusses one way to deal with them

And here's a helpful video!

If only using the PAM, it can take a bit longer to really work. Make sure the cage is not too wet, and again treat once a week for the next few weeks. They have a 30 day life cycle, so you want to make sure you are killing any new ones that hatch as well as any that might have been missed in the first treatment.

Hope that helps!

-Jen

[foxoftherose]

Alright, it's been four weeks since my first treatment, and I've been treating once a week. I still have mites. I'm going to treat again, and power wash Will's tub. I wonder if I'm doing something wrong. Where do I go from here?

[MrLang]

So, I dumped out the bedding, sterilized his hides, water dish, and tub, and then PAM'ed the tub according to the directions on the can. Fast forward to today, and he still has mites.

PAM the tub WITH THE NEW SUBSTRATE in it. That's your problem right there if you only treated the tub.

I haven't had to do this myself, but an experienced breeder once told me that he always facepalms when people say they used PAM and they still have mites. You need to PAM the SUBSTRATE with every substrate change during the treatment.


GL.


EDIT: he FACEPAMS whenever people say that...

I had to...

[foxoftherose]

PAM the tub WITH THE NEW SUBSTRATE in it. That's your problem right there if you only treated the tub.

I haven't had to do this myself, but an experienced breeder once told me that he always facepalms when people say they used PAM and they still have mites. You need to PAM the SUBSTRATE with every substrate change during the treatment.


GL.


EDIT: he FACEPAMS whenever people say that...

I had to...

I've been doing this, but perhaps I haven't been soaking the substrate enough. Thanks for letting me know that this is definitely what I should be doing!

[Homegrownscales]

Hold on before you soak the sub with Pam. Here's something I do when I prevent treat. You don't want to soak the sub with it. Spray a good coat, let dry, mix up bedding repeat 1 time. This has always worked well for me.
You also have to remeber that mites will run from the Pam. They can hide in floors, on racks, Tstats, thermoms, etc. and then come back and start the life cycle again. Keep treating and treat even equipment.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[snakesRkewl]

Get rid of the substrate and use paper towels at least until the outbreak is going on.
When you treat the tubs treat the paper towels and allow to dry well before placing in the tub.
Lightly spray down the outside of the tub also, and any surface around the tub rack and allow to dry fully before placing the snakes back into the tubs.
You can also spray the floors if they are carpet.
I have treated a few peoples collections and we do preventative sprays occasionally to prevent any possible outbreaks. I have never had to use anything on the snake itself.
It may only take 2-3 treatments if done correctly, or it could take longer if you are missing the places they are laying their eggs.

[foxoftherose]

omg I just keep forgetting to post all of the specifics...
He's on newspaper, since I have trouble keeping the humidity down when I use paper towels. What do you guys think about me spraying my room, and letting it ventilate over night with the fans on and windows open? I'm obviously doing something wrong, and the sooner I can figure out what it is, the better. Thank you guys so much for the info and support!

[LLLReptile]

Use reptile relief on the snake itself in addition to PAM'ing the cage. Killing mites on the snake and in the tub should be eradicating the issue completely. I know a lot of folks swear by just using PAM on the cage and then putting the snake back in, but my experience has been that without also treating the snake, the mites continue to be a recurring issue.

Do you have any other snakes? Are they in the same rack? They may not be obviously showing it yet, but they probably all have a few mites by now - which are likely reinfecting your original snake over again. Try treating everything, with reptile relief for the snakes, and PAM for the cages, and that should help.

-Jen