Quick PAM question

Hey, I had a problem with my RTB having mites a couple months ago.. I had used Reptile Relief and have gotten rid of most of the mites.. I'll find a couple every few days still.
I ordered PAM last week and just got it today.. I read all the directions (and got previous advice from people on the forum) and think I have a pretty good idea of how to use it. I just have one quetion though.. it says you don't have to disinfect the cage after using PAM.. is that correct?

I was thinking that while I have the boa in her seperate soak tub I'll take her cage outside and PAM it (I can't do it indoors because I have arachnids) then allow it to dry, is that what I need to do? I don't have to wash it afterwards?

I just really want to make sure I'm doing this correctly, it seems like a dangerous product, especially for all of my non-reptile pets.

Ya you shouldn't clean the cage after spraying it. it will continue to work in the cage on the mite eggs. Let it dry though before introducing the animal really important!!!The hardest part of getting rid of mites is breaking the life cycle of the mites/killing the eggs which is my understanding PAM dose well. PAM used incorrectly can do neurological damage like seven dust or any other pesticides.

It is my understanding PAM should NOT be sprayed on the animal that soaking the animal with a dash of dish soap added to the water should be sufficient to drown the mites on the snake. I have not used it myself but from what I have read and talked to people about it that is how they do it. hope that helped


Chuck

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Originally Posted by edie

I was thinking that while I have the boa in her seperate soak tub I'll take her cage outside and PAM it (I can't do it indoors because I have arachnids) then allow it to dry, is that what I need to do? I don't have to wash it afterwards?

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Yep, that's what you do. Whatever you use for substrate can be sprayed, too. Make sure that it is dry (and you don't need to spray it heavily) then put the snake and the water bowl back in the tank. You probably won't have to do it again, however if you want to be totally sure, you can do it again in a month.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chuck

Ya you shouldn't clean the cage after spraying it. it will continue to work in the cage on the mite eggs. Let it dry though before introducing the animal really important!!!The hardest part of getting rid of mites is breaking the life cycle of the mites/killing the eggs which is my understanding PAM dose well. PAM used incorrectly can do neurological damage like seven dust or any other pesticides.

It is my understanding PAM should NOT be sprayed on the animal that soaking the animal should be sufficent to drown the mites on the snake.


Chuck

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Hi, thanks, thats what I thought but I had to be sure!
And I know not to spray my snake :)

I have a big sterilite tub that I've been soaking my girl in every-other day.. she had an RI and the vet said that soaking her would help with that. Soaking has helped kill a lot of mites too, back when she had a buch of them a lot of them would fall off in the water and I would kill the rest (or at least the ones out in the open) when I went over her body with a towel sprayed with Reptile Relief.

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Originally Posted by dalvers63

Yep, that's what you do. Whatever you use for substrate can be sprayed, too. Make sure that it is dry (and you don't need to spray it heavily) then put the snake and the water bowl back in the tank. You probably won't have to do it again, however if you want to be totally sure, you can do it again in a month.

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Thanks a lot.. I have her in a seperate room right now.. where she will be for the next 2 months, to make sure her RI and mites have cleared.. So maybe next month I'll go ahead and treat the cage to make sure my other snakes don't get this problem, then she'll finally be able to move back in my room.

Edie

I am sorry I misread your post I thought you were going to spray the snake after soaking it my bad.

Chuck

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Originally Posted by edie

Thanks a lot.. I have her in a seperate room right now.. where she will be for the next 2 months

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Sounds like a great QT procedure you've got going. In no time and you'll be able to store your collection all in the same room. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Also do give us updates as they come along.

thanks a lot guys, i would be so lost without your help! the RTB is actually doing really well, she ate 2 weeks in a row for me, and only has 4 more antibiotic shots to go.
i've been posting a couple of updates in this post..
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56772

Treat for mites for at least 60 days if not 90. They can be extremely persistent little buggers, and you don't want all of your hard work to be for naught.

Remember to thoroughly vacuum & wipe down the entire room that your snake w/mites is in, as this will help reduce the possibility of wandering mites laying eggs on available surfaces. If you have access to a steam cleaner, that makes a great treatment for nooks & crannies, as mites & mite eggs can't handle hot (105+ degrees) temps.

Good luck & hang in there!

K~

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Originally Posted by KLG

Treat for mites for at least 60 days if not 90. They can be extremely persistent little buggers, and you don't want all of your hard work to be for naught.

Remember to thoroughly vacuum & wipe down the entire room that your snake w/mites is in, as this will help reduce the possibility of wandering mites laying eggs on available surfaces. If you have access to a steam cleaner, that makes a great treatment for nooks & crannies, as mites & mite eggs can't handle hot (105+ degrees) temps.

Good luck & hang in there!

K~

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thanks a bunch! i have 4 cats in my room so i'm use to vaccumming everyday! after i vaccumm my room i move right out to the RTBs room and get it cleaned.
I also put out a new towel on the floor to giver her shots/dry her from her soak then put it in the wash.
and shes in a room with wood floors, but we have house cleaners that wipe down the floors once a week so that should help too.
and i've been cleaning the cage out in my sisters shower once a week, using STEAMING hot water.
and of course, washing any part of my body that touched the RTB before going back into my room where my healthy snakes are.