Mites.... yok

I have use provent a mite with great success and hear great things about NIX dilutions as well - but getting rid of mites relies heavily on your process as much as grabbing a particular product:

http://www.vpi.com/9VPITipsAndTechs/...SnakeMites.htm

Well... They may be brown, I'm colorblind (red/green) so its entirely possible.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Smulkin

THey were red, you say?

---

Diggin' the Ash avatar, 'gimme some sugar baby!'

ABout the 0.05% permethrin spray (RID). SHould this be applied to the snake as well, or only the enclosure? I know the provent-a-mite says to spray the snake directly.

No it doesn't and please DON'T.

Quote:

---

Directions for use: Please note that it is a violation of Federal Law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with it's labeling. Reomove birds, arachnids, amphibians and insects far away from the area in which Provent-A-Mite will be used. Cover fish aquariums and turn off air pumps before spraying. Remove reptiles and feeding and water bowls from cage. Shake can well before using. For control of mites and ticks on reptiles and their enclosures, remove protective cap, hold can upright and spray at a distance of 12" to 15" from the surface of the substrate at a rate of 1 second per foot. Ventilate the enclosure well until the spray has completely dried and all vapors have dissipated then replace reptile and bowls. Reapply Provent-A-Mite once a month to prevent future reinfestations.

WARNING: Do not allow reptile to breath vapors. Do not apply to heating devices or heating device covers. Do not use Provent-A-Mite within the vicinity of any arachnids or amphibians. Provent-A-Mite will kill any feed insects introduced into a treated enclosure at least 2 weeks. Treat or feed any carnivorous reptiles in a seperate cage. Provent-A-Mite & it's vapors will kill spiders and insects.

---

(EDIT: from a Provent-A-Mite can)

Don't know how I thought that..... Probably all the research I've been doing, it all must have started blending together.

Thank you!!!

But back to the issue.... is the only way to get the bugs off him soaking? I read about the using dishsoap trick.

Before I had heard of the NIX methods I had this stuff called Reptile Relief ( http://www.naturalchemistry.com/pet/...p?idProduct=65 ) which COULD be applied directly - i used it in conjunction with soakings and provent-a-mite (for the enclosure etc) and got rid of a pretty nasty infestation of a new arrival. Again - solid logic for quarantining any new herp you add to your collection.

You can also mix a bottle of NIX with ~5 gallons of water and soak the snake in that (Henry Piorun and a slew of others have reccomended this but I confess I have not had a chance to test it out firsthand).

Smulkin is completely correct you do not spray the reptile directly . The reason i reccomended this product is that it is patened and proven on reptiles . I will aslo add since I keep several thin skinned arboreals around it has proven much safer than many other products and or home remedys I know of several people who have used other products" Black Knight, and pest srtips"with their chondros and have had very bad effects such as skin burns and neurological damage thinking that they were safe
since they have thinner skin and a more delicate nature they show symptoms a little more easily than a ball or a burm or a corn snake alot of these products when used probably are doing some damage but it isnt apparent to the naked eye

About 4 years ago when I got my big male BP he came with a mite problem. I used this stuff

http://www.worldpetstore.com/bensonsnakoi.html

Benson & Sons snake oil

to treat the snake. Just covered him with the stuff and left him in the bathtub for around 20 minutes. He was a bit hard to handle but damn it it didn't kill every mite on him after two treatments.

I kept him in a clean rubbermaid and kept him on white paper towels for a week or so just to make sure I he didn't still have any.

I used a bleach and water solution to clean out his tank and soaked his hides in the same mixture.

I have not had a single mite problems since thank god.

Good stuff, but I have never heard anyone else talk about it. I got it from a local guy who keeps a lot of snakes and he swears by it.

Scott

Well,

Got home from work and he had shed. I helped him with it a bit, but it all came off nicely. The bonus, the mites came with it. I quickly bleached the enclosure and everything and now no mites. Well see how long this lasts.

Trying to get him to eat right now, fresh killed. He seemed interested at first then just ignored it. I figure I'll leave it in the cage for a while and see. He was being fed fuzzies, and these are small adults. Maybe he's just still freaked out being new and all.