Mite Killers

Looks like I'll be picking up some PAM:rolleyes: After just two weeks in my care, I woke up this morning to find my bp soaking and a mite attached to the rim of his eye socket. Now, I've seen on here that it says reptile relief can be applied directly to the snake to remove or kill any mites. Is this true? Also if I just get the PAM and treat the enclosure, after I place my bp back in will it kill the mite thats already on him or do I need to treat him directly with RR to get those off? Looking to pick some up tonight to get those little buggers knocked out quick:taz:

Hey,

New BP owner and I just joined this site and was seeing what people had to say about mite products. I don't have mites yet, but I'm setting up my tank and don't want them either. I've been looking stuff up, and I can't find this Black Knight II. I found Black Knight Roach Killer, is that the same stuff?

I see everyone really likes Provent-A-Mite (PAM). How long does it take to get a can? How big of a can is it? I'm not sure I'd trust a Wal-Mart knock-off, so I think I'll just get either PAM or this Black Knight.

Thanks for your help.
~Jack

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Originally Posted by Hawkeman

Hey,

New BP owner and I just joined this site and was seeing what people had to say about mite products. I don't have mites yet, but I'm setting up my tank and don't want them either. I've been looking stuff up, and I can't find this Black Knight II. I found Black Knight Roach Killer, is that the same stuff?

I see everyone really likes Provent-A-Mite (PAM). How long does it take to get a can? How big of a can is it? I'm not sure I'd trust a Wal-Mart knock-off, so I think I'll just get either PAM or this Black Knight.

Thanks for your help.
~Jack

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I wouldn't touch the roach killer, I suspect it's a completely different product and wholly unsafe for reptiles. Then again, you couldn't get me to use Black Knight despite the fact that some breeders swear by it. PAM shouldn't take you long to get delivered and is the only product approved for use with reptiles. It's a small can but you only need a tiny amount. I've been on the same can for 2 years and it's maybe 1/4 gone. I treat every enclosure when I get a new animal in or when I come back from a show.

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Originally Posted by Quickone4u

Looks like I'll be picking up some PAM:rolleyes: After just two weeks in my care, I woke up this morning to find my bp soaking and a mite attached to the rim of his eye socket. Now, I've seen on here that it says reptile relief can be applied directly to the snake to remove or kill any mites. Is this true? Also if I just get the PAM and treat the enclosure, after I place my bp back in will it kill the mite thats already on him or do I need to treat him directly with RR to get those off? Looking to pick some up tonight to get those little buggers knocked out quick:taz:

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Reptile Relief can be applied directly to the snake. I hate the stuff, because of the smell. I think it reeks, but that's me. In any case, I've used it on a few severly infested animals I picked up from Craiglist before I brought them into the house. I then also treated their enclosures with PAM and the mite problem was gone.

Yes, if you get the PAM, treat the enclosure and put the snake back in, it will kill the mites that are on him - you do NOT have to treat in conjunction with Reptile Relief.

i found a new one that requires no chemicals.

Hypoaspis miles. it is a specie of mite that eats other mites. they are quite effective. i am culturing them right now for my invert cages.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Reptile Relief will give your animal immediate relief, but it will not prevent eggs from hatching, and mites will return in about a 30 day cycle.

PAM completely erradicates mites. I've only ever used the two in conjunction when I rescued three ball pythons who were infested with mites and I wanted to kill the mites on them, but I put my money on the PAM to erradicate them. One treatment of PAM and I didn't have to re-treat.

I pre-treat the enclosure of all new additions with PAM, and I re-treat the enclosures of my existing colony when I bring in new additions to make sure I don't inadvertantly transfer eggs from one animal to another, despite my strict quarantine procedures.

I figure you can never be TOO safe with your collection.

PAM also goes with me when I travel to shows, and travel tubs for any new acquisitions are also pre-treated.

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Same here I would much rather be extra cautious taking steps before the animal ever enters the building . I treat the transport box with P.A.M.
Spray them with R.R. Let them soak and place in prepared enclosure . I feel it's better to be safe then sorry .:oops:

Lucas, that's great--we were planning to do inverts down the road, and I had wondered how on earth you dealt with mite problems in inverts. Might not be as practical for snakes, though.

I use Provent-A-Mite, picked up when I noticed a single mite on a newly acquired snake in quarantine. The mite was killed by hand, and the bin and rack surfaces treated with PAM. No further problems. <lol>

[QUOTE=WingedWolfPsion;1132748]Lucas, that's great--we were planning to do inverts down the road, and I had wondered how on earth you dealt with mite problems in inverts. Might not be as practical for snakes, though.

[QUOTE]

im doing a small side research project with these. so far i found that they are swift, and ferocious predators. so far they have eaten anything ive tossed in there that are smaller than they are. ive talked with a couple of invert people that have used them for their snakes.

this would be a great way to rid yourself of mites without the use of chemicals. and for those with herp and invert collections, this is a must.

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

Lucas, that's great--we were planning to do inverts down the road, and I had wondered how on earth you dealt with mite problems in inverts. Might not be as practical for snakes, though.

I use Provent-A-Mite, picked up when I noticed a single mite on a newly acquired snake in quarantine. The mite was killed by hand, and the bin and rack surfaces treated with PAM. No further problems. <lol>

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Hypoaspis mites work great for reptiles. I have used them in the past and was pleasantly surprised at how effectively it eradicated the infestation.

There is a nursery in my area that sells them - cheaper than a bottle of poison and worked extremely quickly.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Hypoaspis mites work great for reptiles. I have used them in the past and was pleasantly surprised at how effectively it eradicated the infestation.

There is a nursery in my area that sells them - cheaper than a bottle of poison and worked extremely quickly.

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thanks for the input! im glad to hear a herper giving feed back on these.

Huh... I never would have even though of that... killer mites?

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Originally Posted by coolluigi007

Huh... I never would have even though of that... killer mites?

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yep. they eat all the mites around and when there is no more, they eat each other.

Mites in my corn snake's tub.

Cleared the tank, sprayed provent-a-mite.

Set everything back up.

Mites gone.

i use zoo med mite off :)

Are mites a very common problem with bp's?

Nix. Kills mites and eggs, and is also less dangerous than Provent-a-mite (which can and does kill snakes)

I spray provent a mite around the edges of cages with mite infestations and it prevents the spread very well but I prefer not to use it around the animals.

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Originally Posted by Mike@OutbackReptiles

Nix. Kills mites and eggs, and is also less dangerous than Provent-a-mite (which can and does kill snakes)

I spray provent a mite around the edges of cages with mite infestations and it prevents the spread very well but I prefer not to use it around the animals.

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Nix is intended for humans with head lice. Provent-a-mite (PAM) is intended for reptiles with reptile mites. PAM can probably kill a snake if you do not apply it to the ENCLOSURE correctly. PAM isn't intended to spray on the reptile. The affects of using Nix on reptiles or their enclosures is not known. To me, it is a variable not worth the risk.

When it comes to chemicals I don't fool around. I use them only for their intended purpose(s).

I'll never use Nix

OK..next question for y'all. My next door neighbor has 3 Red Tail Boas and is constantly fighting a mite problem. Will PAM work on his snakes as well or is there something else that works better for his species?

Next, can PAM be applied directly to the reptile in question or is it intended for the enclosure only? Just looking for some clarification before I give him wrong advice.

Just use the PAM.

Follow the directions.

You dont spray it on the animal.

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Originally Posted by grim reaper in NY

OK..next question for y'all. My next door neighbor has 3 Red Tail Boas and is constantly fighting a mite problem. Will PAM work on his snakes as well or is there something else that works better for his species?

Next, can PAM be applied directly to the reptile in question or is it intended for the enclosure only? Just looking for some clarification before I give him wrong advice.

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Ditto what dime said, use PAM and follow the directions on the can. And if immediate *temporary* relief is sought, use Reptile Spray. It will not rid the mite infestation but it will kill off some of the adult mites and seems to sooth the snake's body.

**I would like to change my vote from Reptile Relief to PAM. I originally started using Reptile Relief for a mite problem... at first I thought it worked, but after five months of battling with mites (which were spreading, no matter how strict my QT procedures were), I realized this just wasn't working. Upon a request, I ordered some PAM from Pro-Products (who were very helpful and thorough in answering my questions). I used it once, and that next week the mites were gone. :O:O:O (Of course I continued to use it for six months afterwards as recommended.)

Five months with Reptile Relief; still mites. One week of PAM; no mites. I think it's pretty clear which I'm voting for. ;)

I've been using Jurrassimite and got to tell you IT SUCKS just smells lick black licorice water I've used it as directed and still have mites have cleaned with a bleach solution and used new substrate and treated it as well and let dry for at least 1 hour if I can't get the holy grail of mite killer provent-a-mite what are some effective mite killers out there to get rid of them trying to breed my male and female but don't want the babies to get the mites either. :rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by CA cowgirl

Nix is intended for humans with head lice. Provent-a-mite (PAM) is intended for reptiles with reptile mites. PAM can probably kill a snake if you do not apply it to the ENCLOSURE correctly. PAM isn't intended to spray on the reptile. The affects of using Nix on reptiles or their enclosures is not known. To me, it is a variable not worth the risk.

When it comes to chemicals I don't fool around. I use them only for their intended purpose(s).

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Nix and PAM have the exact same active ingredient if I'm not mistaken. I make my own mite spray with Nix and distilled water and I get 4L for about $12. Not to mention PAM is not approved by Health Candada and I run the risk of it not making it to my house if I was to order some. Not likely but still a possibilty.

I'm not here to argue the fact that PAM works because it does, only to inform others that Nix will do the exact same thing for a fraction of the price. Nix also leaves the same residue that PAM does to eliminate eggs and mites.

I know many large breeders on both sides of the border that use Nix and have never had problems.

So to those with a mite problem looking for a solution, choose wisely young padawan and educate yourself on the products you are using.

Gavin

I pick Provent a Mite. It worked for me. have you seen the roach commercial for raid? well provent a mite is just like that but for Mites. :)

Sorry, but I also want to add that just because a product is approved by the EPA and USDA means nothing to people outside the US.

I'm not going to get into a flame war over politics or whose country is better, blah, blah.

I only want to ad that if a product is not approved or registered in Canada I will not use it.
There is a reason Canada does not recognize PAM as a safe product. It may be the ingredients or simply the labeling on the product. We have much more stingent guidlines when it come to products like these and call me what you want but I stand behind them.

Gavin

Seems clear that Prevent A Mite is the way to go. The question should be what product will offer instant relief while the PAM is on the way?

Hi,

I've heard a lot of people say a soak in 85f (ish ) water with a spot of mild dish soap in it to break the surface tension is a good way to drown the little sods.

Always supervise and don't make the water too deep or too warm.

But hopefully other people will chime in with betetr suggestions.


dr del

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Originally Posted by spix14

Lice bedding spray. Exact same active ingredients as PAM, but about 3 bucks a can and I can buy it at walmart.

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me too same thing just about $17 cheaper a can

Lice bedding spray you can get it at walmart same thing as PAM

Hi,

Just to point out soot, diamond and graphite have the same ingredients. :rolleyes:

We recommend Provent-A-Mite for a reason.


dr del

I use Nix! Kills eggs and readily available!

About a month after I got my snake, I noticed he had a few mites in his water bowl. I am 100% certain he got them when my ex took him to our neighbor's house. Our neighbor has a 20 year old ball python and when I last saw it before I got my snake, his had mites. :rolleyes:

I immediately started researching these little pests. I decided that I'd first attempt to get rid of them in "natural" ways and if that didn't work, I'd take another avenue. I literally spent most of that day cleaning the tank. A few days later, I saw more mites. I was mad. All that work was for nothing.

I didn't want to go through all that trouble again, so I came on here and found out about PAM. I ordered 1 can of it. I closely followed the instructions on the can. I used paper towels as substrate so I could see any mites that may possibly show up after treatment. Since that one treatment, I have not seen one mite in my tank or on my snake since. Best. Stuff. Ever.

To all the people that use Nix and that bedding spray; it might work for you, but would you put PAM in your hair to kill lice? Would you use bedding spray for the same thing? Logic says to me that if you are willing to use human products to kill snake pests, you should be willing to use snake products to kill human pests. Since they've got "the same active ingredients", why not? Also, I got my can of PAM the day after I ordered it. I consider that "readily available".

I do agree with Gavin, though. Educate yourself. If you are willing to put a product meant to kill lice on humans onto your snake to kill mites and it actually works for you and is causing no harm to the animal, that's great. Each person has their own way that works for them. Some might like it, some might not, but if it works for you, so be it.

P.S. PAM is also great for killing spiders... obviously because it mentions that the vapors are harmful to arachnids on the label, and it killed the heck out of a spider I found in the bath tub!