I've had quite a bit of experience eliminating mites, on all types of reptiles. If your tortoise had mites on him, they were not mites that should have been feeding on mammals, they were the type that feed on reptiles. Mites don't make mistakes on what they feed on.

There are several ways to eliminate them, some are quick and reletively dangerous to your tortoise, some are not dangerous and can take a lot of time to eliminate. Over the counter sprays usually do not work at all, except Provent-A-Mite which is rather expensive somewhat toxic, and not a guaranteed solution.

Whatever you do you will need to quarantine them in an area that they will stay while being treated. An outdoor pen will not do, as the mites will just climb off, then return as soon as the coast is clear.

The best success that I have had uses the following treatment.

1) Quarantine the animal into an indoor cage that has been cleaned with bleach and water. Bake any substrate in the oven as well. Make sure that the area is brightly lit. Mites hate the light. It also helps if the actual area can be lined with cardboard. I would use a plastic container and line it with cardboard.

2) Apply olive oil to the animal with a paintbrush or cotton pad..etc.. The oil will "climb" and completely drown the mites. Water will not work. This has never harmed any of my animals.If you use a white cotton pad, you will actually lift most of them off as you apply the oil. Any mites that are left behind will loosen and climb off of the animal as the oil is toxic to them. Those that climb off will bore into the cardboard which you should throw away every 8-12 hours.

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OPTIONAL AND CAN BE DANGEROUS TO YOU AND YOUR TORTOISES!!!

3) THIS CAN BE HAZARDOUS IF NOT PERFORMED PROPERLY. Buy a few "No-Pest-Strips" at the local hardware store. Cut one in half and place it in a coffee can, or hang it out of reach of the tortoise. Leave this near the quarantined cage/pen for no longer than 6-8 hours. Remove the strip after that time period far from the tortoise. If kept around it will cause kidney damage. Also during the quarantine period hang a few of the strips in the outdoor pen and try to cover the pen with a tarp. The key is to try and seal the area off. DO NOT LEAVE TORTOISES IN THE OUTDOOR PEN IF YOU HANG STRIPS AND COVER THE PEN WITH A TARP, IT WILL PROBABLY KILL THEM.
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4) Bleech any rocks or decorations that are in the outdoor pen. The mites will lay eggs which will hatch, usually 7-10 days, but can be much longer. I will usually fill a bucket with water and bleech and let the rocks, etc.. soak for several days.

5) The day after applying the oil try and wash the tortoise down with some soap and water. This usually eliminates all of the mites and any eggs.. If you do notice more, repeat the oil and soap and water. Wait at least a week or two before using any more pest strips.

I've noticed posts here that mention little "mite" looking insects crawling around in cages especially those that use Cypress mulch for bedding. I keep a 1/4 piece of a No-Pest-Strip hanging in my garage for a few days to a week at a time off and on which eliminates those little bugs along with most other insects. I have never lost any reptiles large or small since using these strips, and I have not seen any mites on my collection either.

Hope this helps, and post if you have any questions before treating your tortoises.

-Kory

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