Mite Question...

Okay, I think my Spider has mites so I intend on treating my other ball's and boas enclosures, Provent-a-Mite is for enclosures ONLY, but do I have to use something like natural chemistry directly on the snakes and Provent-a-Mite on their enclosures or is Provent-a-Mite good enough? I'm just about to order it but I wanted to make sure I only need Provent-a-Mite and not both, so I should get it within the next week.

Provent-a-Mite alone will do the trick. Just follow the instructions on the can and you'll be good to go.

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Originally Posted by Wretched Deviant

Okay, I think my Spider has mites so I intend on treating my other ball's and boas enclosures, Provent-a-Mite is for enclosures ONLY, but do I have to use something like natural chemistry directly on the snakes and Provent-a-Mite on their enclosures or is Provent-a-Mite good enough? I'm just about to order it but I wanted to make sure I only need Provent-a-Mite and not both, so I should get it within the next week.

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Get it asap. You can use one or the other, but Prevent a Mite works the best.:gj:

Yeah, the first thing I did was panic then I finally realized I had saw the recommendation for provent-a-mite on here...I called the local pet stores and specialty ones but they only carried natural chemistry and I'd really like to make sure the buggers are good and gone, putting in an order now should get it rather soon.

I've had the same problem and i just used "Reptile Spray" By Natural Chemistry. Worked great for me. I used that on the snakes, and on the tanks i used "Wipe Out!" By Zoo Med. Wipe out works great ass well. It's a def must have for cleaning. i use it when ever i clean the tanks. Hope this helps. :gj: GL

For people that are looking for the natural chemistry stuff. A lot of Pet co, Pet Smarts don't have it, but they have the Deflea stuff(same company) for dogs and cats. It's the exact same ingredients. You can get that.:gj:

That natural chemistry stuff is pretty good. I had a new BP come in with mites and used that to treat the snake directly and then the provent a mite to treat the enclosure and substrate to prevent reinfestation.

A good flea and tick powder or garden dust sprinkled on the floor around the snake tank/enclosure is a good preventative measure too if you ever get other reptiles in the same house.

The natural chemistry stuff will literally cause the mites to come off in your hand if you let the snake crawl through your hands as you rub it in.

Also keep ckecking the water dish. Thats usually the first place you will see mites if you get them again and cant see them on the snake.

Yeah, I read about the Natural Chemistry stuff and it won me over with the description but I really want to make sure and take care of these quick and fast, so I'll probably do the Provent-a-Mite, I actually haven't seen any mites in his water dish but when I've picked him up I found one yesterday and one today, also noticed a lot of soaking going on which seemed odd since his humidity is at a decent level, just thought he was soaking to help shed since his eyes turned that blueish tint a couple days ago. But I examined him today after I found the second. But I can go pick up some Natural Chemistry at any pet store around here tomorrow, I've seen it around a lot and then treat the cages with Provent-a-Mite when the shipment comes in. Have another ball and a boa that I suppose I should also treat even though I haven't seen any on either, a couple leos, a bearded dragon, and a tegu. Can mites affect tarantulas, too? Probably do the flea powder around the cages, too then, I happen to have some when my dog kept bringing them in a lot earlier this year.

Big warning

I really wouldn't use any mite killer anywhere near tarantulas as it will almost certainly kill them. Seperate room might be ok but caution is never going to be a bad thing.

If you have a lot of tarantulas or feeder insects for lizards then you would be better looking into the biological control system for mites.

I can't spell it for the life of me but I think it was hypostasis mites or something? I will try and see if I can find the link.


dr del

Hi,

I managed to find the link - and I had indeed spelled it completely wrong. :oops:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...redatory+mites


dr del

Okay, thank you. I only have one tarantula but I'll make sure to move her to one of the rooms away from everyone that I'll be treating, and my crickets. I'll look at that treatment then, also.

Yeah holy cow. Didnt know you have spiders. Provent a mite will kill insects on contact. The can says to put all spiders or feeder insects in another room while treating reptile enclosures.

It might be safer to just use the topical stuff unless you can put any thing that isnt a reptile in a differnt room for 2 weeks while you are treating. It takes about 2 weeks for the provent a mite to stop working completely. Tear down and clean and disinfect everything. Vacuume everyday to prevent them from going from room to room (the mites) and that should take care of it.

The reason its so good is it lasts that long. It prevents reinfestation from eggs hatching in that time period. Just be careful with your tarantulas.

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Originally Posted by Big Gunns

For people that are looking for the natural chemistry stuff. A lot of Pet co, Pet Smarts don't have it, but they have the Deflea stuff(same company) for dogs and cats. It's the exact same ingredients. You can get that.:gj:

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I believe I got my provent a mite at petco. Been a long time ago though. Not totally sure.

You can treat mites with cooking oil. You can also use a garden dust (sorry, I can't remember the name of the dust right now). These are the 2 natural way to treat mites that I know.

Hope this helps!
Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by j_h_smith

You can treat mites with cooking oil. You can also use a garden dust (sorry, I can't remember the name of the dust right now). These are the 2 natural way to treat mites that I know.

Hope this helps!
Jim Smith

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Are you serious? Or are you just one of the many the misinterpreted P.A.M. as the cooking oil instead of Provent A Mite (which is what it means when its used on reptile forums)...

Just wondering.. Because I have never heard of treating mites with cooking oil. Maybe im wrong though.

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Originally Posted by j_h_smith

You can treat mites with cooking oil. You can also use a garden dust (sorry, I can't remember the name of the dust right now). These are the 2 natural way to treat mites that I know.

Hope this helps!
Jim Smith

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Give me a hand here.........

What cooking oil? Does it work for mites? Better yet, will it also help keep my fried eggs from sticking to my aluminum cookware? do theymake it in olive oil flavor?

As for the garden dust - which is the all-natural brand?

I'd love me some all-natural garden dust to kill me some pill bugs and lawn grubs.

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Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Are you serious? Or are you just one of the many the misinterpreted P.A.M. as the cooking oil instead of Provent A Mite (which is what it means when its used on reptile forums)...

Just wondering.. Because I have never heard of treating mites with cooking oil. Maybe im wrong though.

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I guess I'm showing my age, but yes. Olive oil is what I used. Do a Google search and look it up. BTW, it's Sevin Dust that you can use on your snakes too. This is great stuff. It will get everything off of your snake, mites, ticks, you name it. That too can be found on Google I'm sure.

These are things we used BEFORE these chemicals were made. It does work.

I have seen too many colubrids die from over use of Provent A Mite. Take care using this if that's your choice.


Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by j_h_smith

I guess I'm showing my age, but yes. Olive oil is what I used. Do a Google search and look it up. BTW, it's Sevin Dust that you can use on your snakes too. This is great stuff. It will get everything off of your snake, mites, ticks, you name it. That too can be found on Google I'm sure.

These are things we used BEFORE these chemicals were made. It does work.

I have seen too many colubrids die from over use of Provent A Mite. Take care using this if that's your choice.


Jim Smith

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I have many colubrids.

...........and I have been using Provent A Mite for many years. Haven't seen one die yet........

Can you list the names of these potentially suceptible colubrid species? How many have you personally seen kick the bucket?

As for the Sevin Dust, I had no idea it was natural and I also had no idea you could put it on your snakes.

I learn something new every day!

Hi,

I'm guessing it works the same way as coating ticks with vaseline - they can't breathe.

It will cause the top layer of individual scales to flake off and make a heck of a mess though. I'd probably try a tepid (86f ) bath first with a spot of dishsoap in it to drown them instead.

As for the garden dust could he be talking about that diatmaceous earth stuff?


dr del

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

It will cause the top layer of individual scales to flake off and make a heck of a mess though. I'd probably try a tepid (86f ) bath first with a spot of dishsoap in it to drown them instead.

As for the garden dust could he be talking about that diatmaceous earth stuff?


dr del

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I had the same exact experience with both cooking oil (freeing a gopher snake from a glue trap) and neosporin. What a mess.........meh.

Diatomaceous earth is nasty stuff - it's a serious inhalation hazard. I have a a diatomaceous earth polishing filter for my fish tanks and the last thing you want to do is breath that crap in.............

You know what else works wonders? Tea Tree oil. Not straight though!!

If you can pick up a small bottle of it at walmart in the vitamin section and mix a few drops in warm water and rub it on your snake (not the head and face) its a great insect killer and helps prevent scale rot too.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

I have many colubrids.

...........and I have been using Provent A Mite for many years. Haven't seen one die yet........

Can you list the names of these potentially suceptible colubrid species? How many have you personally seen kick the bucket?

As for the Sevin Dust, I had no idea it was natural and I also had no idea you could put it on your snakes.

I learn something new every day!

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All were babies and juvies. I think all were corn snakes. I never meant to say Sevin was natural. I was giving an example of other products that can be used other than Provent A mite.

Sorry if I didn't make my advice more clear.
Jim Smith

EDIT, I just reread my posts and I did mention Sevin as a natural choice. I made a mistake, I don't believe this is a natural item. But I do stand by my use of Sevin as a safe remedy for treating mites and other insects.

I'd be very careful with P-A-M around baby colubrids as I have seen it kill baby corn snakes. I only use Nix now and havent had problems with it.

I'd also say that whatever you choose to use, use that only- mixing different mite killing agents is probably more risk than it's worth when just one will do the trick.

A lot of old-school herpkeepers use Sevin Dust. Take that as you may, but it was a VERY common mite treatment from the 70s-90s. Realize that specific reptile mite sprays have only very recently come out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

I'm guessing it works the same way as coating ticks with vaseline - they can't breathe.

It will cause the top layer of individual scales to flake off and make a heck of a mess though. I'd probably try a tepid (86f ) bath first with a spot of dishsoap in it to drown them instead.

As for the garden dust could he be talking about that diatmaceous earth stuff?


dr del

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I've never had a snake lose scales when using oil to treat mites. The use of oil is in itself messy, but after you finish the treatment, you use a soapy bath to rinse the snake. I used to use this treatment for a few years long before Provent A Mite was available in my area. I then used Provent A Mite until a friend told me he lost a few snakes when using Provent A Mite. I've known Rick for years and i know he's a great breeder and when he tells me something, I believe him. I personally saw a few snakes that he bought and died hours after being treated with Provent A Mite.


Jim Smith

A quick google search and I was able to find this thread on another forum. This is just a sample of what I found. Read it and determine for yourself if you want to use this product. Believe me, I don't care one way or the other. Use it, don't use it, I'm just trying to pass along my experience (well at least a close friend's experience) to others. I'm sure there have been thousands if not millions of snakes treated with Provent A Mite without any issues. But do you want to take the chance with your snakes?

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...need-help.html

Ah,

We've seen quite a few cases where the top layer of the scales flaked off individually even when just using oil based cremes - it may be a specific type of oil that causes it but it definately does happen on occasion.

I wonder if it is a vegetable or mineral oil specific problem?

Since the water bath does the same thing and is a lot easier to clean off it seemed an easier fix to me. :)

Touch wood I haven't had to deal with mites since the mid to late 90's **taps head**


dr del

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Originally Posted by Mike@OutbackReptiles

I'd be very careful with P-A-M around baby colubrids as I have seen it kill baby corn snakes. I only use Nix now and havent had problems with it.

I'd also say that whatever you choose to use, use that only- mixing different mite killing agents is probably more risk than it's worth when just one will do the trick.

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Thank you for expressing your experience with PAM, I know I couldn't have been the only one to experience this.

Take Care!
Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by Crawdad

A lot of old-school herpkeepers use Sevin Dust. Take that as you may, but it was a VERY common mite treatment from the 70s-90s. Realize that specific reptile mite sprays have only very recently come out.

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Thank you for explaining what us "Old Guys" used. It was very affective. A little Sevin, a pillow case and a snake is all you need.

Take Care!
Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by j_h_smith

I've never had a snake lose scales when using oil to treat mites. The use of oil is in itself messy, but after you finish the treatment, you use a soapy bath to rinse the snake. I used to use this treatment for a few years long before Provent A Mite was available in my area. I then used Provent A Mite until a friend told me he lost a few snakes when using Provent A Mite. I've known Rick for years and i know he's a great breeder and when he tells me something, I believe him. I personally saw a few snakes that he bought and died hours after being treated with Provent A Mite.


Jim Smith

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I believe anythig can be harmfull if not used correctly

Like sevindust. Only use that on the floors around the racks and cages. NOT on the snakes theirselves or in the enclosures. Thats way to risky. I understand people may have used it on the snakes but I personally would not. That is just my personal opinion on using a strong chemical compound on an animal I am using to produce healthy babies.

As for losing babies to provent a mite. The directions clearly say to NOT put it directly on the snake and to NOT use in any enclosure that does not have bedding or substrate. (this does not mean newspaper)

You also need to let the tub or enclosure air out and completely dry (for at leat 15 minutes IMO) before putting the snake back in that enclosure and be sure the snake has proper ventilation even after that. Proventamite is only for treating the enclosure and tub slots. Not the animal itself.

No I wouldnt use it on a hatchling of any kind but if you follow the directions and do not cut corners at all, you should have no problems.

Well, I got the Provent a Mite stuff several days ago, treated all the cages in our back room (completely empty, we were converting it into a herp room), let them air out pretty good for a couple days while I kept all the snakes in totes, plastic shoe or sweater boxes on some paper towels. Gave all the snakes baths before doing so, I can't find any sign of mites or eggs on anyone now but I'll definitely keep the can of this stuff just in case it worked really fast and well. I also did a room-by-room cleaning, sprinkled the lawn powder we use for fleas during the summer everywhere then swept the majority of it up, moved both the tarantula and crickets in my rodent/feeder room and I'll keep them there for a month or so for good measure. Lol, fifteen minutes, I guess I let it air pretty good, it's been two days but oh well...better safe than sorry I guess. But I'm happy and Cynric seems to be in less distress now.

i give my snakes a bath with warm water and iodine. the mix should look like watery ice tea. make sure your snake is not thirsty before putting it in the iodine bath. my vet said it wont harm the snake as long as it dont drink it. it has work for me before. i also clean the cages with the solution(kinda stained one of my cages)