Mite Killers

[jglass38]

Cool post Jamie...neat that the PAM guy shared so much info. =)

Also a bonus: the PAM can packaging looks like it was made by the Dharma Initiative, so cool is that? =D

Bob is a good guy and super knowledgeable. Of course he is a businessman but he truly cares about animals and making sure they are safe!

[spix14]

Jglass, do you mind if I quote your post in another forum I go to? It's where I first got the advice to use the bedding spray-I'd like to see their views on it.

[jglass38]

Jglass, do you mind if I quote your post in another forum I go to? It's where I first got the advice to use the bedding spray-I'd like to see their views on it.

Go to it..Just know that you'll get a range of responses. Just look back at the original thread. A lot of people will think their way is better and some will even say that Bob said what he did to just make more money. I say to people, take it as you will. In the end, they have to be responsible for their animals and deal with the consequences if something bad happens!

Good luck!

[spix14]

Go to it..Just know that you'll get a range of responses. Just look back at the original thread. A lot of people will think their way is better and some will even say that Bob said what he did to just make more money. I say to people, take it as you will. In the end, they have to be responsible for their animals and deal with the consequences if something bad happens!

Good luck!

Thanks! The advice came from someone I trust-in the sense that I know she would not put her animals at risk to save a buck or two. I'm curious to know if she's talked about it with her vet, or if anyone else that has used it has either. I myself used it to great effect when I had a new arrival come in with mites, and have noticed no problems...but as was stated, there's no way to know what the long term effects are and to be honest, I wasn't aware of the fact that there were different types of permithrins(sp?). I assumed (and you know what they say about that ) that since the active ingredients and percentages of same were the same, that it was the same product for all intents and purposes. Much the same as buying Tylonol or the store brand version. If you'd like, and with her permission, I'll post back here what her vet had to say if she spoke to him about it.

[jglass38]

Thanks! The advice came from someone I trust-in the sense that I know she would not put her animals at risk to save a buck or two. I'm curious to know if she's talked about it with her vet, or if anyone else that has used it has either. I myself used it to great effect when I had a new arrival come in with mites, and have noticed no problems...but as was stated, there's no way to know what the long term effects are and to be honest, I wasn't aware of the fact that there were different types of permithrins(sp?). I assumed (and you know what they say about that ) that since the active ingredients and percentages of same were the same, that it was the same product for all intents and purposes. Much the same as buying Tylonol or the store brand version. If you'd like, and with her permission, I'll post back here what her vet had to say if she spoke to him about it.

Absolutely! Over the years that I have kept snakes I have been twice sent a snake with mites. The first one was early on and I had little experience. I picked up a lice treatment used for humans at a drugstore (on the advice of an experienced keeper) and used it with success and no ill effects that I am aware of. The second time I used Reptile Relief because I had no PAM at the time. The Reptile Relief worked for right around a month and then the mites were back. I used it again and ordered PAM and never saw another mite. This discussion isn't about what I choose to do as an experienced keeper in my collection. It's about what I choose to recommend to people that are new to the hobby like I was back then. I would feel horrible if I told someone to use a product not made for treating reptile mites and the person's snake died. I don't need that on my conscience. Also, I know for a fact that the residual effect of PAM isn't something available in those other products. As an aside, of course strict quarantine methods are key. They can be the difference between one snake with mites or your whole collection with mites.

[spix14]

Absolutely! Over the years that I have kept snakes I have been twice sent a snake with mites. The first one was early on and I had little experience. I picked up a lice treatment used for humans at a drugstore (on the advice of an experienced keeper) and used it with success and no ill effects that I am aware of. The second time I used Reptile Relief because I had no PAM at the time. The Reptile Relief worked for right around a month and then the mites were back. I used it again and ordered PAM and never saw another mite. This discussion isn't about what I choose to do as an experienced keeper in my collection. It's about what I choose to recommend to people that are new to the hobby like I was back then. I would feel horrible if I told someone to use a product not made for treating reptile mites and the person's snake died. I don't need that on my conscience. Also, I know for a fact that the residual effect of PAM isn't something available in those other products. As an aside, of course strict quarantine methods are key. They can be the difference between one snake with mites or your whole collection with mites.

I get where you're coming from. There's a lot of things I feel confident doing as a more experienced keeper that I wouldn't recommend brand new snake owners do.

[FIREball]

Bk Ii...

[FloridaHogs]

The only time I ever had mites was with two eastern hognose that came in a couple years ago. Hognoses do show a sensitivity to PAM, and a few hobbiest have reported deaths. The majority of my collection consist of hoggies, so I had to look for alternative methods. What I found was out of a vet text book. Diluted listerine soak (this setrilizes any bugs on the animal), and a mineral oil rub down, being careful around the nose (this smothers any remaining bugs and eggs). Repeat in two weeks. Poison free, and I haven't seen a mite since. Just an alternative for some that are concerned with the use of poisons. I did consult with my vet before I followed this.

[frankykeno]

The way I figure it is this. PAM's been tested as safe to use (on the enclosure, NOT on the snake - read any directions on anything you use first. )

$20 won't buy my family a night of pizza. $20 won't touch my monthly electric bill. $20 won't put much gas in a car anymore. $20 won't buy a pair of jeans or a pair of shoes for one of my teenagers. $20 is $20.

Save money anyway you can that is reasonable and safe, I'm all for that. Saving a measly $20 on a product that's never been tested as safe for snakes seems the wrong place to do so, at least to me. I can't do much with $20 these days - but I sure can make sure saving that $20 didn't put my beloved collection at an unnecessary risk.

[southb]

I used reptile relief for 2-3 years because it was the only thing I could buy locally. The bottle said to spray once ever 3 days and you could use it on the reptile as long as it wasn't running off. Well......every three days leaves you with still having a mite problem. I had to use it once a day for almost 7 days before it would totally get rid of mites. I ordered some PAM, was given a female breeder that had mites, before putting her in QT I sprayed the tub with the PAM. Waited til the next morning and took her from the bag put her in tub.....well no more mites with only 1 treatment!!! It's way worth the 27$ I paid in total for it. I mean come on guys, whats the health of your animals worth to you? I'm not a big time breeder and most of mine are family pets so they are worth alot more to me than just wait money I've put into them.