Advice on treating for mites!

[Carnivale]

I'm seriously upset right now to have found that two of my skinks (they're tankmates) have mites. :C I noticed them acting itchy, but when I first checked them over I didn't see anything, but then tonight I checked them again, and yep...sure as rain, tiny little moving black dots.

I've already cleared out all their bedding, scrubbed out the enclosure, and put down paper towels. I also lightly rinsed the skinks to help wash off any surface mites before putting them back in the tank.

I've got their hides and everything going through the washing machine right now, but I've been seeing some differing opinions on how to get rid of mites, so I thought I'd turn to the forums to see what would work best.

For one, I've seen advice that says to spray down the enclosure with Prevent-A-Mite, and spray the skinks with Reptile Relief, and repeat this once a week for about a month.

Another bit of advice I saw was to just wash everything with a bleach/water mixture, give the skinks a prolonged bath, and then all should be well.

Any other methods I should consider?

[splashy07]

In past experience, I would say that imports come in with them more often than not, and if purchased at chain pet shops rather than exotic reptile specialty shops, chances are even greater. A decent reptile shop will treat before letting an animal leave the store. I'm not saying this is gospel, but what worked for me. I am seriously allergic to insecticides (friends say I was a praying mantis in a past life, LOL) but the reptile relief spray does not bother me for some reason. I've used it directly on the reptile, being careful of eyes especially if a lizard, and cleaned cages with it, after which I'd wash cages down with soap and water. (I'm allergic to bleach too, and just about every other cleaning product on the planet)
Wiping them down with spray type olive oil will kill all the mites on the animal, and is completely non toxic. Again, be careful of eyes if you use this method. Worked for me, and aside from a bad shed or two afterwards no ill affects. I also put a line of Vaseline around the upper portion of the tank so as no mites move on to other areas.(I have four snake racks)
Best is to treat anything you bring home before you put it in cage, regardless of whether you see mites. Just assume they are there. I even got them in a substrate purchased at a pet shop one time! It's the only possible place they could have come from as I had not brought home any new animals in years, and the tank with the new substrate got 'em! Since then I have been buying my substrates online from dealers who do not sell animals. Good luck, and unfortunately, pregnant female mites go rogue and leave immediate area to find a warm damp place to lay eggs...check around!

[Carnivale]

Thank you! I had wondered if it could be the substrate. My skinks are from breeders here on the forums, and they had no mites when I first got them, and had no problems until after their most recent batch of fresh substrate. It had been a couple weeks since changing the substrate out, and they started getting itchy, which is why I thought that could be it. But I never suspected mites since the substrate was brand new from a new bag! D:

Guess it goes to show you can never be too careful.

[splashy07]

Indeed, those little critters make their rounds. Also be wary of supplies purchased used from online listings such as Craigslist, etc. Mite eggs can go dormant a long time and hatch only when suitable conditions present themselves. They have a survival instinct akin to roaches! (I wish my roaches would multiply so quickly!) A friend of mine recently purchased an import from a chain pet store (don't want to name, not tough to figure out though) because she felt sorry for it...she also has multiple snakes and other reptiles but just could not resist this cute little merauke baby at @#$%* so she brought it home and guess what???? She was crying on the phone at four in the morning still disinfecting her collection, not able to make it to two of her three jobs.
Saying you can never be too careful IS gospel. Best of luck with your situation, it is the nemesis of the reptile keeper. There may be some mite discussions on the FAQ's, check out how others have dealt with the situation.

[Dood]

If I buy my substrate from a pet store with reptiles I cook it in the oven first.

I usually buy from a store that has no animals and just supplies and don't worry about the creepy crawlies stowing away in it.

[splashy07]

I used to do that but now I have to buy in bulk, so I'd have to take a day off to cook it all, and if I just cook a little at a time I'll worry about what's in the uncooked portion still in the bag. A great idea for smaller amounts!

[Susann]

The thing is, mites (just like fleas, I believe they are related critters) can only survive with a host animal to feed off of. Yes, eggs can survive dormant to hatch at a later date, but I believe it is pretty rare to get a mite infestation from a package of substrate bought from a source with reptiles. Unless the infested reptiles have been in contact with the product I believe chances are very small that you'd get a mite infestation from a new/sealed bag of substrate.
I believe chances are that the skinks came to you infested, you just did not notice the mites to begin with. Or they came in the tank and/or the decorations in it that you bought used and didn't disinfect.
I could certainly be wrong, but my money is on the mites not coming in the substrate.

This is EXACTLY why having new animals go through a quarantine period is imperative to the rest of your collection, regardless of where they came from. Even reputable breeders can get mites. I quarantine every single animal that comes in to my house, even when they come from friends who I know have no issues. It's just like wearing a seatbelt; 99,9% of the time you are safe and do not even need it, but out of the blue there may come a time when wearing it would've made all the difference. So, I quarantine everything that comes into my house and I wear a seatbelt every time I'm in a car.

[Scotts1au]

Sorry to read that you have them. The trick is to act quickly. Permethrin based treatments are readily available and effective.

Keep them away from the mouth. A spray called top of descent is also commonly recommended but I have heard of reptiles suffering prolonged lethargy from being exposed.

It doesn't hurt to spray around the outside of the enclosure with some common old household fly spray - which are normally permethrin based as a protective barrier from wandering mites. I've seen mites simply walk over petroleum jelly.

[Richard.C]

U need to treat them and there cage to a mite preventitive,bathing them ect and just washing cage wont get rid of mites,let alone unhatched mite eggs so they will keep coming back

Scott i use the spray u mention plus some of the other names it goes under and have never had anu issues,i spray the lizards,/snakes in there cage,then do a good puff in cage then close it up,and do repeat sprays a week or two later,and has always worked a treat,its suposedly biodegradeable and safe to use,but if it kills mites so fast u have to wonder i guess


One thing i do is spray every new arrival no matter where its come from,just for piece of mind

[TJreptiles]

Prevent-a-mite best stuff I've used. Easy and simple, mites are gone in 2 weeks

[Bluish]

Cheaper and easier to find is Nix shampoo (for head lice). Any pharmacy should sell it. I mix 1 teaspoon of nix to 1 cup of water and put in a spray bottle. I also treat all animals as soon as i get them. Saves a lot of work down the line.

[splashy07]

I know it's an oddity, but I'm 99 percent sure they came from the substrate. I buy large amounts in bulk and share with three friends, and they all got 'em. It was stored in back of a reptile shop underneath their 'hospital' tanks. None of us have had mites since the 80's when everything was WC, and none of us have introduced new animals into our collections at that time. Cypress mulch bags often have tiny holes in them. I now buy from an online retailer owned by vets, Drs. Foster and Smith. They do not sell animals, but just about everything you need to keep all kinds.
Worth checking them out, prices are below retail pet shops and you don't have to spend much to qualify for free shipping.
Best part is, everything comes right to your door in a few days.