Possible Rescue, Need advice

[Topher]

I could end up with some unwanted BP's from a friend of mine who is snake sitting for his brother while he is at college. The BP's have been housed together in a forty gallon terrarium since they were purchesed, they have mites, and have not eaten in over six months. I'll definately be seperating them, placing both in something smaller. I'll be keeping there setups real simple with newspaper or something as substrate, and won't handle them probably till they eat. My question is, how do I prevent them from passing there mites on to my healthy BP. I'm planning on keeping these two rescues in the closet of my spare bedroom. Should being in seperate rooms until the mites are gone be sufficient, or is there other preventive measures I should take. Any help would be great. I haven't seen them yet, and he hasn't decided that he definately wants to give them up. I just want to be prepared. Thanks

[Shelby]

Mites are very, very good at spreading. Not something you want.. if possible, keep the rescue BPs at a friends house until the mites are gone (provent-a-mite is the best mite killer out there)

When taking on rescues, quarantine is very important.

[Topher]

OK. I'll try to find someone that can house them until the mites are gone. I know that even with the mites gone, taht quarantine is important for six months or so, does taht just mean kept in another location in the house, being sure to wash my hands after handling the rescues, or do I need to house them at a friends for the full six months?

[Shelby]

Six months is an extremely long quarantine.. I do three months usually.

Quarantines should be kept in a different room if possible, or at least as far from your established herps as possible. Feed/handle your established animals first. Wash your hands for at least 30 seconds in hot water and antibacterial soap after handling or doing anything with the quarantines. Use different tools (hooks, spray bottles, etc.. anything really) for quarantines.

[Topher]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll do what I can for these guys, and take care to keep them away from my current BP. Like I said, I haven't even seen the BP's that I may be taking in. I'll definately be looking them over, and if there are any huge health problems that have been preventing them from eating such as mouth rot or a severe RI I'll probably not be able to take them in due to the lack of good reptile vets close by here in the sticks. Thanks again.

[Shelby]

No problem.. let us know how it goes.