MITES! On a new guy

[masonhall]

So I totally washed out his cage and him, switched out one hide but kept the other in because it didn't have another but I had washed that one off too. Put him on paper towels, and gave him some good soaks. But I look at him today, an he is soaking in his water bowl. Surrounded by dead mites. I checked his cage for any living ones, couldn't find any. What should I do now? Can mites burrow in cardboard like hides? (don't have any plastic ones)

[Skittles1101]

So I totally washed out his cage and him, switched out one hide but kept the other in because it didn't have another but I had washed that one off too. Put him on paper towels, and gave him some good soaks. But I look at him today, an he is soaking in his water bowl. Surrounded by dead mites. I checked his cage for any living ones, couldn't find any. What should I do now? Can mites burrow in cardboard like hides? (don't have any plastic ones)

Trust me, if you haven't used PAM, they're there.

[masonhall]

Ok will do! Thanks!


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[satomi325]

The dead ones you are seeing are the adults. Juveniles are almost unnoticeable to the naked eye. They are really tiny and brownish red in color. So I can bet they're still in the tub. Not to mention the Nymph stage of mites are airborne.

Once your PAM arrives, don't forget to treat the rest of the tubs in the rack.
Good luck!

[Vasiliki]

I have not personally had mites before, but I just want to point out that even after you think they are gone, continue with your practices until you are 110% sure.

Do not stop treatment and resume normal caging just because you don't see them. Maintain this procedure for a fair amount of time to ensure that you do get every last one.

I've heard too many stories about people stopping treatment early only to come back in a month or two with: "I have mites AGAIN! But I didn't add anything new to my collection...?!" No, that means they STILL have mites. It just took a while to become noticable in the larger quantities.

Also: Be sure to check carpet in the area your animals have been in, your clothing, immediately throw out any substrate (don't just put it in a bag and leave it in the house for any amount of time).

Pretty much treat mites like a highly contageous disease. In a way, they are. Treat it seriously. Don't cut corners. Don't rush it. If your other animals were near him, consider them 'infected' too. Don't wait until they show black spots. Switch their substrate over to paper towels.

You're pretty much in a warzone at this point. No mercy on those buggers!

Also: I don't know if you have reptile friends that come over and whatnot, or if you go and hang out at people's houses that have reptiles, but I want to point out....

Mites can hitch a ride on clothing. If you have any friends coming over with reptiles, warn them that you have mites. In fact, I'd probably ask any friends not to come over until I was in the clear for at least a month. If you go over to someone's house who has reptiles, it is a good idea to be honest with them as well.

This sounds mean, but if I caught mites in my collection because someone visited and they KNEW they had mites at their house, I would be very, very upset.

Again, not trying to be mean, but we don't want to spread these guys anymore than they already spread.

[JennM]

I've had to deal with these little buggers twice now on new purchases. This is what I did, and it works.

Go to Walmart or a drug store. You'll need a gallon of distilled water, a 2oz bottle of Nix(for head lice), and a spray bottle. Poor out a small amount of water from the jug. Then poor the nix into the water. SHAKE WELL. Poor solution into spray bottle. Keep whatever you don't use in a dark area or covered.

Remove the snakes water bowl. Clean out any substrate. Wipe everything down. Burn all paper/paper towels used. Put new substrate down. Spray EVERYTHING in the cage, including the snake. Also spray around outside of cage. Go scrub water dish with soap and hot water. Go take Shower, then wash clothes in hot water. Wait 24hrs and put the cleaned water bowl back into the cage with the snake. Repeat every 5-7 days for 3-4 times.

Good luck!

[masonhall]

I have not personally had mites before, but I just want to point out that even after you think they are gone, continue with your practices until you are 110% sure.

Do not stop treatment and resume normal caging just because you don't see them. Maintain this procedure for a fair amount of time to ensure that you do get every last one.

I've heard too many stories about people stopping treatment early only to come back in a month or two with: "I have mites AGAIN! But I didn't add anything new to my collection...?!" No, that means they STILL have mites. It just took a while to become noticable in the larger quantities.

Also: Be sure to check carpet in the area your animals have been in, your clothing, immediately throw out any substrate (don't just put it in a bag and leave it in the house for any amount of time).

Pretty much treat mites like a highly contageous disease. In a way, they are. Treat it seriously. Don't cut corners. Don't rush it. If your other animals were near him, consider them 'infected' too. Don't wait until they show black spots. Switch their substrate over to paper towels.

You're pretty much in a warzone at this point. No mercy on those buggers!

Also: I don't know if you have reptile friends that come over and whatnot, or if you go and hang out at people's houses that have reptiles, but I want to point out....

Mites can hitch a ride on clothing. If you have any friends coming over with reptiles, warn them that you have mites. In fact, I'd probably ask any friends not to come over until I was in the clear for at least a month. If you go over to someone's house who has reptiles, it is a good idea to be honest with them as well.

This sounds mean, but if I caught mites in my collection because someone visited and they KNEW they had mites at their house, I would be very, very upset.

Again, not trying to be mean, but we don't want to spread these guys anymore than they already spread.

Don't worry, I know no one who owns a reptile in my area central city philadelphia. I'm surprised, because the population is so dense. Thanks everyone for all the tips!


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