Mites can come from a lot of places, including:
- An improperly quarantined animal. The QT enclosure, paper substrate, and hides for new arrivals are treated the prior day with PAM or a similar permethrin-based solution, and part of my unboxing process is to wipe the critter with a white paper towel that has been damped with Reptile Spray. If a new animal arrives with mites I will know it almost immediately.
- Pet stores. Even if you don't purchase an animal, female mites travel to lay their eggs. Since reptile equipment and substrate is located in the store very close to the animals, it's easy enough for females to lay eggs in bedding or on cage décor. Or, employees in the store could handle the animals and then inadvertently transfer the mites to almost anything else.
- Expos. You can bring a hitchhiker home with you. When I get home I shower immediately and wash the clothes I was wearing.
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