PAM question

So I used PAM on my enclosure today about 2 1/2 hours ago... it feels dry, but I can still smell the stuff a little bit... is it safe to put my snake back in or should I wait a little while longer?

anyone?

How much of the PAM did you spray in the enclosure?

the recommended, like a second a foot. I think it's all good now though, the smell is all but gone

It will leave behind a little film but that is fine. I let mine stand for 2-3 hours as well. That is plenty of time!!

When I treat with PAM, I set up a fan to blow in the enclosures. It cuts the drying time down to an hour or less...

what is PAM used for?

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Originally Posted by mommanessy247

what is PAM used for?

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I am gonna take a guess...

It keeps them from being able to grip the glass and climb up???

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Originally Posted by mommanessy247

what is PAM used for?

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PAM is used to treat mites that are on your snake.

PAM is also an acronym for Provent-A-Mite... don't go spraying your cage with the cooking spray PAM please!!

Thank you for the clarification, I was wondering why in the heck someone would spray their enclosure with cooking spray, and then I was starting to wonder well maybe it does something good for the snakes?

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Originally Posted by kevlam

PAM is also an acronym for Provent-A-Mite... don't go spraying your cage with the cooking spray PAM please!!

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WOW! I was WAY off! I was thinking cooking spray, sprayed on the interior glass to slicken in up and prevent the snakes from getting traction on the glas and making it easy to escape, lol.

it was worth a shot :oops:

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Originally Posted by kevlam

PAM is also an acronym for Provent-A-Mite... don't go spraying your cage with the cooking spray PAM please!!

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THanks for clearing that up!! I was eyeballing the can in my kitchen for a sec there:oops:...

Haha, you guys are hilarious.

But, seriously, if you dont know what it is, go buy a can. It's worth twice it's weight in gold.

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Originally Posted by cordell

WOW! I was WAY off! I was thinking cooking spray, sprayed on the interior glass to slicken in up and prevent the snakes from getting traction on the glas and making it easy to escape, lol.

it was worth a shot :oops:

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Originally Posted by Flatheadhunter33

THanks for clearing that up!! I was eyeballing the can in my kitchen for a sec there:oops:...

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This is a pretty common mistake. Usually, when I post about it, I at least spell it out once, Provent-A-Mite (PAM), so people won't be confused. However, I see that I neglected to do that in my earlier post. The reason I do that is because the first time that I had to deal with mites I was told to use PAM. So I went to the kitchen, grabbed the can out of the pantry, and I was standing there looking at my little BP in his mite covered misery, and looking at the can of cooking spray, wondering if it mattered that it was butter flavored. Fortunately, I decided at the last minute to ask about it again.
I'm wondering if anybody has actually sprayed PAM, the cooking spray, in their enclosure and will admit to it, just to stress the point that we need to be careful when using acronyms like that...

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

The reason I do that is because the first time that I had to deal with mites I was told to use PAM. So I went to the kitchen, grabbed the can out of the pantry, and I was standing there looking at my little BP in his mite covered misery, and looking at the can of cooking spray, wondering if it mattered that it was butter flavored.

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My god that's cute. I'm both cracking up and going "Awww" at the same time.

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Originally Posted by Oxylepy

But, seriously, if you dont know what it is, go buy a can. It's worth twice it's weight in gold.

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You got that right. :gj: I treat all of my enclosures once a month as a preventative measure and I haven't seen another mite since I started using it. I know it seems a little expensive for a small can, but one can usually lasts me 4-5 months. As long as you aren't treating a mite outbreak, it only takes a light coating to keep them away, and well worth the investment...

I only use mine once every 6 months or so (and I use it for 2 months when I do) to reduce stress on my snakes (as their tubs are out of commission over night while I let it completely dry). But, yes, every time you get a new snake, every time you think you see a mite, regularly as prevention, when you handle a wild herp, or whenever you feel like it, it's good to know that you have that to protect your snakes. I consider it an essential for anyone who owns a snake. Heck I've used it to treat rat tubs prior to getting them.

oh my god vypyrz thats hilarious...

Not trying to high-jack the thread here but where do the mites come from? I also have box turtles, kept outside. Can they have mites I can be giving to my BP? I have never had to treat my box turtles for them though, just wondering where or how the snake gets them?

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Originally Posted by cordell

Not trying to high-jack the thread here but where do the mites come from? I also have box turtles, kept outside. Can they have mites I can be giving to my BP? I have never had to treat my box turtles for them though, just wondering where or how the snake gets them?

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http://www.vpi.com/publications/the_...of_snake_mites

I would assume any reptile mites (and possibly avian ones, could be remembering incorrectly) could potentially feed on the snakes.

If not mistaken provent a mites active ingredient is permethrian (mis spelt ?) An insecticide made from the crysanthmum flower..Found in dog,cat and livestock repellents...Don't know the concentration as I've never owned a can..If over used, mites can and will develop a resistance..If a collection is mite free (as mine is) it should be unnessasary to use it..There is NO research to say it does no harm to reptiles and will surely kill an amphibian..
Mites will drown and mites will dry up and both conditions can be provided depending on the species..Years ago no pest strips were the tool of the trade, However it was a killler to rainbow boas..Also a carcinogen to humans as bleach is..Generally mites are captive bred and passed from one collection to another, the likelyhood of wild north american herps carrying them is slim to none..:D

You treat the cage with PAM, but what method do you use to treat the snake itself?

None, they dont spend all their time on the snake and will quickly die when they come off.

Personally I have De Flea that I wipe on new snakes before putting them in warm water, I also use it to spray down whatever container they came in. Paranoia? Maybe, but I say better safe than sorry.

I treat all cages and its plenty safe to return snake once its dry. Do not need to wait more than 5 mins. Keep water bowl out for at least 1 hour and your golden

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

I treat all cages and its plenty safe to return snake once its dry. Do not need to wait more than 5 mins. Keep water bowl out for at least 1 hour and your golden

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You wait 5 minutes? I wait ~8 hours.

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Originally Posted by Oxylepy

You wait 5 minutes? I wait ~8 hours.

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Yes that all i wait if i need to treat a new comer. Been using PAM for about 5 years now. As long as its dry and you didnt over spray it your fine.

I thought I read something about spraying the P-A-M on the substrate or paper towels and laying them down in the enclosure. Is that right?

Just wanting to kick my mites before they become a real problem. Thanks!

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Originally Posted by kevlam

PAM is also an acronym for Provent-A-Mite... don't go spraying your cage with the cooking spray PAM please!!

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Lol man I have a lot to learn I thought it was the cooking spray

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

This is a pretty common mistake. Usually, when I post about it, I at least spell it out once, Provent-A-Mite (PAM), so people won't be confused. However, I see that I neglected to do that in my earlier post. The reason I do that is because the first time that I had to deal with mites I was told to use PAM. So I went to the kitchen, grabbed the can out of the pantry, and I was standing there looking at my little BP in his mite covered misery, and looking at the can of cooking spray, wondering if it mattered that it was butter flavored. Fortunately, I decided at the last minute to ask about it again.
I'm wondering if anybody has actually sprayed PAM, the cooking spray, in their enclosure and will admit to it, just to stress the point that we need to be careful when using acronyms like that...

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HOly crap....can you please put a disclaimer prior to typing something like that. I think I just had soda squirt out of my nose. Kind of hurts now...:rofl:

That is an awesome story...especially the part about wondering if it mattered that it was buttered flavored. OMG...that is going to be such a retell.

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Originally Posted by appygirl84

I thought I read something about spraying the P-A-M on the substrate or paper towels and laying them down in the enclosure. Is that right?

Just wanting to kick my mites before they become a real problem. Thanks!

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Make sure if they are in bins you treat your bin holder as well. If tank...get up really good around the top edge...also spray the outside of everything too. Be sure to repeat this every 14 days if you actually do have mites....keep doing that for about 4 times. Overkill...maybe but mites can be a real pain to get rid of.

Sadly I have mites. :( They came with the 2 girls I picked up the other weekend. I have treated 1/3rd of my cages so far. I'll treat them again in 2 weeks. I don't think they are bad yet. Only a few here and there, and I have to really look to find them. Just wanted to kill them before they were everywhere.

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Originally Posted by appygirl84

Sadly I have mites. :( They came with the 2 girls I picked up the other weekend. I have treated 1/3rd of my cages so far. I'll treat them again in 2 weeks. I don't think they are bad yet. Only a few here and there, and I have to really look to find them. Just wanted to kill them before they were everywhere.

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Goodluck, I wish you and your snakes the best. The great "Snaker's" on this site really, really helped me when I inherited my 2 BP's with Mites at 12". I knew absolutely nothing about BP's (or snakes really). I no longer have mites and my BP's are thriving at 2 yrs old now and I want to get a Coastal Carpet Python.

I washed, bleached, and sprayed everything in and around the tank area and won the battle. Always have some" PAM On Hand" is my motto.

I live in Canada and had to buy PAM from Ontario for me in BC. It cost about $31 + shipping if I remember. It was worth it IMHO!

Again, goodluck....

Mites are horrible, I had them get into my collection once--thankfully they didn't get very far before I caught them. I have no idea how, because they weren't on my quarantine animals, and I didn't introduce anything new! They must have hitched a ride on a bag of feed or bedding from the pet store.

I treat quarantine bins as a matter of course, now, in case anything comes in with them. That way they can't spread.

It's a good idea to inspect your animals regularly, and just keep an eye out, because they can hitch a ride on your clothes...you never know.

That is right...if you go to a show...it is always a good rule to come home put your clothes immed. into the washer and jump in the shower. That is our plan with every show we go to