View Full Version : Proactive mites/etc maintenance?
So, I'm using cypress mulch bedding, and was wondering If there is some sort of proactive way I should be preventing mites? I've seen like anti-mite stuff you have to spray on the snake etc etc but I'd rather not do something that might have any sort of negative effect without asking you guys who have more experience than I do!
I'd just rather think about it now and prevent it rather than wait for a snake to end up with something nasty.
Thanks!
Gungirl
02-21-12, 07:58 PM
I think the best preventative thing you can do is be clean. Do not buy from a store that is dirty or you can see mites on their animals. The most popular way people get into mite issues is when they go to a pet store, reptile expo or even a friends and that place has mites. You then bring them home to your pets. If you are out and around other reptiles wash up and change your clothes when you get home.
I dont really know anyone else with reptiles that I would see regularly, and i always wash my hands thoroughly before going into the cage or handling him, Im just using Zoo-Med cypress mulch that I bought on amazon (local pet store wanted literally twice as much for a smaller bag! :O)
is there any chance mites or anything would be in the cypress mulch (even if its rare) or unless i introduce it somehow, it wont be an issue?
youngster
02-21-12, 08:33 PM
You can spray Provent a mite (PAM) like monthly and that works.
UwabamiReptiles
02-21-12, 09:02 PM
I saw a video from Brian Gundy from For Goodness Snakes that sprays PAM once a month just like Eli said. He said he's been doing that for years and has never had a mite problem.
Gungirl
02-21-12, 09:03 PM
I wouldn't want to expose my snakes to a chemical like that all the time.. but that is just me.
Strutter769
02-21-12, 09:11 PM
I wouldn't want to expose my snakes to a chemical like that all the time.. but that is just me.
I guess I'm sort of "middle of the road" on this one. I can understand every three months or so, unless of course somethin' happens between..
I wouldn't want to expose my snakes to a chemical like that all the time.. but that is just me.
I'm the same way, i don't even use most "normal" cleaning products cause I hate the chemicals in them. I'll just be as clean as possible and deal with removing mites if (hopefully not!) it ever happens.
millertime89
02-21-12, 11:41 PM
I know some big breeders that swear by PAM. I still need to get some. My plan is to respray every time I completely change out the substrate (once every few months since I use cypress mulch).
Lankyrob
02-22-12, 07:49 AM
The main risk is you bringing mites into the house on you - whenever i visit the reptile shop (even tho they are squeaky clean there) when i come home i close the front door and strip - all clothes go straight in the washing machine and i go straight into the shower.
The main risk is you bringing mites into the house on you - whenever i visit the reptile shop (even tho they are squeaky clean there) when i come home i close the front door and strip - all clothes go straight in the washing machine and i go straight into the shower.
This is good stuff from what I've read. Other than that though, I don't believe it's necessary to treat for mites on a consistent basis. For quarantine on new acquisitions certainly but every month? No.
The main risk is you bringing mites into the house on you - whenever i visit the reptile shop (even tho they are squeaky clean there) when i come home i close the front door and strip - all clothes go straight in the washing machine and i go straight into the shower.
This is good stuff from what I've read. Other than that though, I don't believe it's necessary to treat for mites on a consistent basis. For quarantine on new acquisitions certainly but every month? No.
Hokay cool, i'm not worried about bringing them in, considering i really don't handle or am around other reptiles very much, but if i am, i'll make sure and clean up after
SerpentLust
02-22-12, 01:06 PM
And of course, always properly quarantine any new snake you bring into your home. In my opinion, THAT is the most common way to get mites. Laziness.
For me, if I've been to another house or place with reptiles, I won't enter my snake room until I've had an outfit change.
I'm an avid NIX user when it comes to mites, it's never steered me wrong.
So, i'm getting a new snake whenever the weather warms up from rainbows-r-us, I have a cage all setup and everything for her.. how would I "quarantine" her from my other snake? they aren't going to be sharing a cage or anything and im not breeding anyone, so.. yeah..?
Gungirl
02-22-12, 02:23 PM
So, i'm getting a new snake whenever the weather warms up from rainbows-r-us, I have a cage all setup and everything for her.. how would I "quarantine" her from my other snake? they aren't going to be sharing a cage or anything and im not breeding anyone, so.. yeah..?
You Quarantine by keeping them in separate rooms, washing your hands and clothes after you handle the new one. Never mix tongs, hides or anything. If you use something for your new snake it must be cleaned and disinfected before it goes into the room with your other snakes.
You Quarantine by keeping them in separate rooms, washing your hands and clothes after you handle the new one. Never mix tongs, hides or anything. If you use something for your new snake it must be cleaned and disinfected before it goes into the room with your other snakes.
Hm.. what if i don't have two rooms to put them? That said, i wouldn't assume Dave would send out a snake w/ mites on it, what about keeping them in tubs (using big tubs for now till they need full sized cages) near each other and otherwise do all the other stuff, as I have my EMT first response certification, i'll just treat everything as a contagion for a while.. lol!
ill just get some anti mite stuff to have on hand just in case
Gungirl
02-22-12, 02:33 PM
I would do your best to keep them as far away from each other as you can. Some things that they can carry to cause harm or kill another snake are air born..
I would do your best to keep them as far away from each other as you can. Some things that they can carry to cause harm or kill another snake are air born..
Such as? I honestly dont have a good room to put them in, we have a livingroom/kitchen and two bedrooms, they'll be in the other bedroom which is the quietest and only room w/ consistent temperatures, not to mention the only place with room enough to put them
Gungirl
02-22-12, 02:45 PM
So place them on opposite sides of the room....
So place them on opposite sides of the room....
The other side of the room has the floor heater as well as my gaming computer (and therefore whirry noises and a good 1000W power supply unit exhausting hot air towards the direction of where id have to put the tub) its not a huge room, im working w/ a 950 sq ft apartment.
It was more a question of curiosity rather than me looking for "Oh airborne stuff can kill them. yup. just believe me." I'd rather learn what it is rather than "something"
millertime89
02-23-12, 12:55 AM
WARNING HUGE PICTURE!
this is how my room is set up. I can't provide a perfect quarantine as my roommates don't want the snakes in the living room/dining room, so this is what I came up with. The big tub in the closet is the QT tub and will be filled sometime tomorrow.
http://www.1320video.com/img/album337/Panorama3.sized.jpg
edit: for huge picture visit this link and click on the picture for details.
1320Video.com Images Galleries :: Equipment :: Panorama3 (http://www.1320video.com/gallery/album337/Panorama3)
Use paper towel substrate to start and a white water bowl in my opinion is awesome. Keep the cage in a separate room and deal with the snake at the end of the day, and of course be clean. Personally, I NIX all new additions as well as their paper towel substrate. Then just watch and apply necessary adjustments, but usually this, means mites are no problem, even if they do come on the snake... Then just wait out the proper quarantine period for illnesses or odd behaviours. I do 3 months, some do 1, some do a year. Just play it by ear really. Some snakes never get introduced to the main group...
Use paper towel substrate to start and a white water bowl in my opinion is awesome. Keep the cage in a separate room and deal with the snake at the end of the day, and of course be clean. Personally, I NIX all new additions as well as their paper towel substrate. Then just watch and apply necessary adjustments, but usually this, means mites are no problem, even if they do come on the snake... Then just wait out the proper quarantine period for illnesses or odd behaviours. I do 3 months, some do 1, some do a year. Just play it by ear really. Some snakes never get introduced to the main group...
the only "problem" with that is im getting a BRB, they need high humidity and paper towels arent exactly the best for that.
shaunyboy
02-24-12, 01:18 PM
heres a website of a friend of mines
he explains using defender mites for those of us who don't like to use chemicals
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=defender+mites&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CEYQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbamboozoo.weebly.com%2Forganic-mite-control.html&ei=cOFHT9rMCZHA8QOszJ26Dg&usg=AFQjCNFu3m6bI6oleffhhEZwlzOuoiywXA&cad=rja
i use provent a mite if i have mite problems,but.....
i personally would NOT use it EVERY month as a preventative measure,as imo it would be exposing my snakes to too much chemicals
that said,i do use it ONCE as a preventative measure,in my quarantine tanks for new snakes
cheers shaun
p.s.i hope my links ok wayne,its a friends site but not a forum
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