Mites

With Reptiles sometimes time is of the essence when it comes to their health. You can post your health related questions and answers here.

Mites

Postby Fantasy » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:39 pm

I'm not sure if it's mites but we found a tiny black thing on it. Can anyone tell me what it is and how to treat it?
User avatar
Fantasy
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 24
Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2005 11:42 pm
Location: Springs

yea

Postby Sean » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:51 pm

if it is a small black almost invisible bug it is mites

the simplest is front line spray

all you need to do is
1. soak the snake in water for around 20/30 mins (to hydrate the snake)
2. spray the cage out with front line, leave for around 5 mins with lids closed
3. Clean and sterilize the cage (make sure to get the smell of the front line out)
4. take a soft cloth and spray this with front line then rub the snake with the cloth being carefully around the mouth.

return the snake to the cage and leave without water for a total of 24 hours

this should kill of the nasties no problem but check the snake often also check the corners of the cage and the water bowl for any more.
User avatar
Sean
SA Reptiles Honorary Member
 
Posts: 1626
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:22 am
Location: Mandela Bridge

Postby Dentech » Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:05 am

the method Sean described works perfectly. Just make sure you get the frontline spray, and not the drops, the drops are too concentrated and might kill the snake.
Dentech
SA Reptiles Honorary Member
 
Posts: 293
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 10:27 am
Location: Pretoria

Postby Bushbaby » Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:17 am

Repeat in 3 weeks time again to ensure you get all the eggs which may have hatched, and then monthly as a precaution.
http://www.snakebiteassist.co.za
http://www.reptileexpo.co.za
http://www.boaconstrictors.co.za
User avatar
Bushbaby
SA Reptiles Admin
 
Posts: 10592
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:04 am
Location: Pretoria

Postby froot » Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:45 am

Method II>>>

I use Lyclear with my collection, just another option that I know works.

Lyclear comes in a small bottle with a flip nozzle. I mix it with water 50:1 in a spray bottle.

Spray the inside of a pillow case wet with the diluted chemical.

Place the infected snake in the pillow case and leave in a warm place overnight.

Remove all contents of the cage into sunlight (if possible). Spray them thoroughly with a permethrin (biokill) based spray and leave to dry.

Spray the inside of the cage with permethrin spray.
Leave cage open overnight.

Next morning place all cage contents in a bath of water or hose down to remove chemicals.

Spray and wipe the cage inside with an alcohol based cleaner.

Repeat with a clean cloth.

Install cage contents, preferably with a new substrate.

Rinse snake off in a bath of warm water for 10-20 minutes.

This method may seem a little more complicated but works for me every time.
What also helps is to spray all the scurtings around your snake room with a permethrin based spray, and behind your enclosures.
We salute the improvement of the human genome by honoring those who remove themselves from it.
Of necessity, this honor is generally bestowed posthumously. - www.darwinawards.com
User avatar
froot
Founder Member
 
Posts: 6901
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:19 am
Location: Joburg, South Africa

Postby Bushviper » Tue Aug 02, 2005 9:27 pm

I would rather dust behind the cage and around the base with Karbadust powder as this lasts for quite a while and stops any re-infections. It does not become airborne and is less toxic to the snake than any aerosol sprays.

Both methods work well.
It is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Those who are afraid to ask are ashamed of learning.
User avatar
Bushviper
Founder Member
 
Posts: 17358
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:02 am
Location: Pretoria

Postby BWSmith » Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:24 pm

I am not sure if it is available there, but I use .5% Permethrin spray. It is sold here as a clothing treatment for bugs.

remove the snake and water bowl (leave eerything else)

Spray the cage about 1 second per square foot

let it air out for about 15 minutes

put the snake and water bowl back in
User avatar
BWSmith
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 190
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:12 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA - USA

Postby Sean » Fri Aug 26, 2005 7:59 am

Welcome BW, Nice to see you here

I dont know if we get Permethrin spray here but one of the things i believe you guys also use that we sometimes use in very serious circumstances (but i prefer not to as it can be very risky) is Vapona
also works well but then you have to make sure the snake cannot get into direct contact with it and you must change the water daily
billygoats taste of chicken
User avatar
Sean
SA Reptiles Honorary Member
 
Posts: 1626
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:22 am
Location: Mandela Bridge

Postby Bushbaby » Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:57 am

If you do decide to use Vapona, just remember to remove the water while it's in the cage. Also, if there are any other animals in the vacinity, take their water bowls out as well. Someone I know's bird got ill from that.

Hi BW, welcome aboard.
http://www.snakebiteassist.co.za
http://www.reptileexpo.co.za
http://www.boaconstrictors.co.za
User avatar
Bushbaby
SA Reptiles Admin
 
Posts: 10592
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:04 am
Location: Pretoria

Postby froot » Fri Aug 26, 2005 10:45 am

I dont know if we get Permethrin spray here


I use a product called 'biokill'. It's available in most petshops.

Some more info on permethrin...

http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=chem&id=595
We salute the improvement of the human genome by honoring those who remove themselves from it.
Of necessity, this honor is generally bestowed posthumously. - www.darwinawards.com
User avatar
froot
Founder Member
 
Posts: 6901
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:19 am
Location: Joburg, South Africa

Mites

Postby RaD » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:44 pm

Could someone post a link or a picture of what mites look like plz. Twice now I've found one little brown creature on Lucian's back and I wondered if it was a mite or just an arb bug that flew in there throught a vent or whatever.

Merged
User avatar
RaD
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 216
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:59 pm
Location: Johannesburg

Postby neko » Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:36 am

I doubt a picture would really help. Mites are tiny little buggers.

If you see tiny black or brown dots the size of a pinhead moving around on your snake, you have mites. They are usually found on the head, around the eyes and under the chin.

Very often a snake with mites will also lie in it's water bowl a lot, with just their heads and/or noses sticking out. When a snake does this, it doesn't mean they have mites though, but it can be a good indication.

This link explains how to get rid of mites.

http://www.sareptiles.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?t=159
It's peanutbutter jelly time! GET SOME!!
User avatar
neko
SA Reptiles Honorary Member
 
Posts: 1405
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:58 am
Location: Boksburg

Postby RaD » Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:01 pm

Thanks Pinky, I cant see any around the head or anything but I'll keep a look out obviously.
User avatar
RaD
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 216
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:59 pm
Location: Johannesburg

Postby Sean » Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:17 am

RaD

take the snake in the palm of your one hand then gently pull it through so its body rubs all the way across your palm, check your palm for little blood spots and little bugs

do this 3 or 4 times and if you find any mites or bloodspots from crushing mites doing this then follow the instructions on the link pinky gave.

theres some pics of mites on this site if you happen to have a microscope for comparrison...

httphttp://www.boa-constrictors.com/com ... Milben.htm
billygoats taste of chicken
User avatar
Sean
SA Reptiles Honorary Member
 
Posts: 1626
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:22 am
Location: Mandela Bridge

Postby RaD » Sat Mar 11, 2006 12:04 am

It's definitely mites. The bastards!! Gonna go buy some frontline tomorrow and nuke the mofos!!!!
User avatar
RaD
SA Reptiles Member
 
Posts: 216
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:59 pm
Location: Johannesburg

Next

Return to Reptile Hospital

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests

cron