Mites! Need help NOW!

[bmxstreet21]

I noticed my BTS has mites. I bought reptile relfei and used it. It seemed to kill most of the mites, and I was able to clean about half his scales out (I'm getting the rest tonight). I also replaced his substrate with newspaper (the substrate had literally hundreds of mites in it. The problem is I don't know how long he's had them (hes had them for atleat a week). He hasn't eaten, drank, or pooped in 3 days. I NEED HELP!

[bmxstreet21]

He is also very weak and harly moves.

[Bird_Brain]

Reptile relief is a good product. However, I have used and highly recommend Provent-a-mite. It is a chemical, but once it dries, it is completely safe for you and the animals. It is supposed to keep killing mites for up to 30 days (hence the name). It has also been in testing for like 14 years (or somewhere around there).

There is also a very similar product at Wal-mart. I have never used it, nor looked for it, but it is used for head lice. It is I believe Equate Bedding Spray. The main/active ingredient is the same as Prevent-a-mite.

Here is a website about prevent a mite.
http://www.pro-products.com/miteandtemp.html

Here is alittle bit more info comparing the P-a-m and the walmart bedding spray.
http://www.ballpythonforum.com/forums/i ... owtopic=73

Hope this helps. I acquired a woma python that had a few mites on it. Of course it was shipped through Delta Dash (same day delivery) but had to travel 1hr (one way) to pick it up, so when I got home to examine it better, I noticed it had the mites and all the pet stores were closed. So I went to walgreens and purchased betadine and mineral oil. I soaked it in a betadine/water bath to both drown the mites and help the snake with the itching. THen I rubbed it with mineral oil and since the snake had a mite in the eye, I also put some drops of mineral oil in its eye to suffocate the mite. The next day, i went to the pet store and picked up Reptile Relief and the Provent-a-mite. I have not had any problems since.

[bmxstreet21]

Thank for the tips but the problem isn't getting rid of the mites (well it is a problem), but the main problem is that he is very sluggish and isn't eating.

[Fatal_S]

Maybe warm him up a bit more? Blueys make great recoveries when they get to warm up.

[Tattoo]

Have you tried offering a food that is a favorite? My BTS loves scrambled eggs. I feed them when she has refused food for a couple of days.

[thesilverbeast]

im sure if you have killed the mites then he will return to normal soon enough. i think the important thing is that you have stopped the mights before they killed him.

you could always try ringing a vet?

[Bird_Brain]

He is probably anemic from the mites taking all the blood. This will cause a loss of appetite and become very sluggish. So take care of the mites and hopefully he will turn around.

[Zach]

He is probably anemic from the mites taking all the blood. This will cause a loss of appetite and become very sluggish. So take care of the mites and hopefully he will turn around.

Ditto.


I used reptile relief, and found it to be excellent. It's also water based and completely non-toxic. I would advise this well over any chemically based treatments. That's just my personal opinion though. BTS systems are so small and their tanks are so enclosed -- I don't like to take chances.

[Usersafe]

Permethrin is the active ingredient in Provent A Mite. Permethrin is a chemical used in insecticides, has moderate acute toxicity, is a possible carcinogen and is a suspected endocrine disruptor. It also has high toxicity in water.

Now, given all that, the acute toxicity listed by www.pesticideinfo.org is for the pure active ingredient only and may not reflect the acute toxicity of individual pesticide products. So use at your own and your reptile's risk. The EPA warning label for Provent A Mite is 3 - Caution which means slightly toxic.

You also need to be aware that inert ingredients are not required to be listed on these products and sometimes the inert ingredients are as bad as the active ones.

More than you ever wanted to know about permethrin, http://www.usersafe.com/Pesticides/Permethrin/about.htm

Steve

[SailleSkinklover]

Any idea on how you got the mites? What kind of substrate are you using? If thats the culprit, then prevention is the best medicine! ( And I please dear Gods, NEVER want to go throught the Mite ordeal! It sounds horrible!)

Steve, thank you so much for posting about toxicity levels. This stuff is really important to me as I would so much rather treat my animals in as natural and healthyand non-chemically a way as possible!

Saille

[Brigget]

Well when i bought lilly she was like that too very lethargic but i bought stuff from usersafe i think and bathed her in it and used reptile relief to spray the tub she was in and within 4-5 days they were all gone i even used a toothpick to carfully pick out the big ones. She is very good now. dont fret!