Mites at Reptile Shows

[MR Snakes]

OK, so with the NEAAR show this weekend and all the threads and warning of mite infestation, I'm totally freaked. Do we;

A) Have a second set of clothes to change into after the show?
B) Have several sets of clothes so that we can change clothes after and before each new booth?
C) Cover ourselves with mites before we enter to repel any mites that might want to hitch a ride?
D) Not worry about it and have another beer?
E) Other?

What say you all? IF "E", please provide an answer. Thanks


In all seriousness, what is standard protocol?

[Bogertophis]

(D) you don't have any snakes yet & snake mites are fussy eaters, though I'd love to see a video of (C) if you'd rather?

[MR Snakes]

(D) you don't have any snakes yet & snake mites are fussy eaters, though I'd love to see a video of (C) if you'd rather?

Now that would be epic!

[redshepherd]

Since you don't have any snakes yet, even if you get a snake at the show and bring mites back, you can just pre-treat your snake enclosure with PAM beforehand.
It's not much of a problem with just one snake! Much less no snakes, if you don't buy a snake.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

D well kinda, as someone who has been to MANY shows and vend once or twice a year here is what I know and what I do

The first issue in shows like the repticon is people can bring their pet (yay ), I have literately seen people puking mites out of their snake while walking around, that's right their animal have mites (and worse) and they bring them to the show, exposing other animals.

Not all breeders are clean or for that matter people I would call breeder so some bring animals with mites.

As a general rule a a visitor I do not touch any animal when I go to a show unless I am ready to pull the trigger and buy (which has happened once in 13 years).

So if you buy an animal have a tub/tank ready and pre-treated before you leave so you can place your new animal in soon as you arrive.

Once home strip down through your cloths in the washer, go and take a shower and wash your hair and beard.

If you have other animals (reptiles) which I know you don't do not go in that room until the next day (that an advice for the future as you will not just have one)

As a vendor I spray my table, spray my table cloth, pre-treat my display cases 24 hours prior, I don't let people touch my animals unless they are ready to buy (I am not a petting zoo and there are far worse to fear than mites (OPMV, Nido, Crypto etc))

When I go home my snakes go in a different room for the night and are sprayed with reptile relief which is a natural product. (That is why I only vend once or twice a year)

So far my paranoia has avoided me mites.

A little story a few years ago a person wanted to show me something they just hatched at a show (I did not touch anything) I spotted mites immediately, I walked back out of the show (I was visiting and just had arrived) went to my car and spray my cloths with Provent A Mite.

[Dianne]

When I go to shows, I don’t handle anything unless I’m intending to buy. In your case, I imagine you will want to handle a few animals to get a feel for what you want. Most of the vendors in my area have hand sanitizer on their tables...most customers think it’s because the vendor is worried about the people. It wouldn’t hurt to take some with you for personal use in case vendors don’t have it. It isn’t foolproof, but it helps cut down on both mite and disease transference.

If you want to pretreat your clothes, go to a Wal-Mart or sporting goods store and look for the sprays used for treating hunting gear, clothes, and tents. You want something that has permethrin as the active ingredient, like Repel. Spray your clothes and let them completely dry, usually an hour works but you could do it the night before. When I was a vendor, I used the Repel on my clothes and the tablecloth on my table. I never brought any hitchhikers home from the shows...a little paranoia goes a long way.

[zina10]

D well kinda, as someone who has been to MANY shows and vend once or twice a year here is what I know and what I do

The first issue in shows like the repticon is people can bring their pet (yay ), I have literately seen people puking mites out of their snake while walking around, that's right their animal have mites (and worse) and they bring them to the show, exposing other animals.

Not all breeders are clean or for that matter people I would call breeder so some bring animals with mites.

As a general rule a a visitor I do not touch any animal when I go to a show unless I am ready to pull the trigger and buy (which has happened once in 13 years).

So if you buy an animal have a tub/tank ready and pre-treated before you leave so you can place your new animal in soon as you arrive.

Once home strip down through your cloths in the washer, go and take a shower and wash your hair and beard.

If you have other animals (reptiles) which I know you don't do not go in that room until the next day (that an advice for the future as you will not just have one)

As a vendor I spray my table, spray my table cloth, pre-treat my display cases 24 hours prior, I don't let people touch my animals unless they are ready to buy (I am not a petting zoo and there are far worse to fear than mites (OPMV, Nido, Crypto etc))

When I go home my snakes go in a different room for the night and are sprayed with reptile relief which is a natural product. (That is why I only vend once or twice a year)

So far my paranoia has avoided me mites.

A little story a few years ago a person wanted to show me something they just hatched at a show (I did not touch anything) I spotted mites immediately, I walked back out of the show (I was visiting and just had arrived) went to my car and spray my cloths with Provent A Mite.

someone else as paranoid as me!

Good to know

[tttaylorrr]

im very sorry i was one of those that's made you paranoid lol, but it's better for you to prepare for these things BEFORE they happen (which you are)!

since you've gotten good advice already, i just want to add:

RELAX and enjoy your time at the show! don't freak out when you're there constantly thinking about mites. you're in a great position with tons of knowledge and no animals so you're at the least risk for something catastrophic.

just enjoy the experience. and also take your clothes off and wash them when you get home.

EDIT: to parrot above: DON'T handle anything unless you intend to buy! it protects you and also doesn't annoy the breeder.

[tttaylorrr]

A little story a few years ago a person wanted to show me something they just hatched at a show (I did not touch anything) I spotted mites immediately, I walked back out of the show (I was visiting and just had arrived) went to my car and spray my cloths with Provent A Mite.

RARE img of Deborah at this show:

[Stewart_Reptiles]

RARE img of Deborah at this show: