Treating Mites

I've got a handy, practically empty can of Provent-A-Mite (can borrow another can if I don't have enough in there), how should I go about cleaning out the tank before spraying the stuff?
I have a UTH attached to the bottom of the tank, though, I can't take it into the tub like that can I?

Clean everything like you were going to have surgery in the cage before you spray.

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Of course, but what should I clean with? How do I clean her hide and water bowl so that no mites or eggs will remain on them? I don't have a pot to boil them in, so I was going to just bake them in the oven, but the water dish is ceramic and I don't know if it will break from the heat.

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Originally Posted by Fraido

Of course, but what should I clean with? How do I clean her hide and water bowl so that no mites or eggs will remain on them? I don't have a pot to boil them in, so I was going to just bake them in the oven, but the water dish is ceramic and I don't know if it will break from the heat.

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You have a dishwasher? Just put the hide and the bowl in there.

Once the enclosure is clean (soap and water) replace the substrate with paper towel or newspaper (makes it easier during mite infestation), spray the enclosure following directions, than place the hide and water dish back in the enclosure and finally the snake after everything is dry.

We have a broken dishwasher, that won't help much.

Consider using Natural Chemistry mite spray. Much less toxic to snakes.

Provent-A-Mite is currently my only option.

How do you normally clean the hides and stuff????? I would use a diluted bleach solution and rinse it well. I would do the tank and all.

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Mites drown in water btw

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A little bit of soap and hot water, which doesn't seem adequate for mites.
I'm not sure about how I can clean the tank out efficiently with the heat pad on there, I would much prefer to wash it in the tub, but I'm not sure that's an option.

I know they drown, but do the eggs not remain in areas?

Soap makes the mites drown better... I would take the mat off and wash completely in the tub and re tape the mat with vent tape.

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Doesn't that risk damaging the heat mat?

I don't recommend removing the heat pad. The sticky sided commercially produced ones can be removed but it compromises the integrity of the pad.

For enclosures with an attached heat pad I use two spray bottles. One with a soap and water mix, and one with just water. Spray the soapy water mix into the enclosure, use a sponge or paper towel to scrub the sides. With paper towel or rags you can get most of the soap out. Then with the water only bottle I spray and wipe it down until there is no soap left. Treat with mite killer and let it sit on it for a bit.

I know you don't have access to it right now, but this is why I like Natural Chemistry products. They are efficient mite killers and can be left in the enclosure with the snake present.

Awesome. Thank you. (:
I totally get why you'd prefer that product, very understandable. The safer the better!