Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was checking my new Argus baby today and saw a tiny bug crawling on it. I got the mite spray and opened the door to the cage. I sprayed him and he didn't freak out to bad. I decided that I needed to spay his belly so I reached in to calmly pick him up. He ran around the cage, jumped out onto my leg, climbed up my shirt to my shoulder, and then jumped to the top of the cage. He then ran across the top, jumped off the side, and ran around the room. When he got to the opposite side of the room he got cornered, so I walked over to grab him. He then proceeded to run back and jump into his cage. It was the funniest thing I have seen.

I guess I am kind of scared of him biting me since I have only had him for a few days. I shouldn't be scared though, I have been bitten by a lot worse.

The bad thing is he didn't hide when we go in to the room and go to his cage. After this episode he burrowed down and closed the entrance to his burrow.

-----
Ed

There are water dragons, chameleons, and monitors in my jungle room.

lol he seems to be quite a character. Btw, what kind of mite spray are you using? If you are using Black Knight or PAM then it is not safe to spray him directly.

I would agree with sparying anything to kill a bug on a your herps. Even if says non-toxic to them it is toxic to bugs. Just my thoughts.

I use Natural Chemistry Reptile Releif spray. The botle says to spray it directly on the reptile. We had a chameleon with mites, sprayed this on it, and within a few minutes the chameleon looked a lot better. It seemed to feel alot better later on. I have used it on a few reptiles and have seen no bad side affects from it. So I have had good luck with it.

If there is a better way of getting rid of mites I would like to hear about it.
-----
Ed

There are water dragons, chameleons, and monitors in my jungle room.

Might have sounded a little harsh. But for the years I have been on kingsnake I have read some pretty bad things that people have done to get rid of mites. I notice you have mulch in the cage. Try to deal with that first. Since argus are CBB they will not have parasites to start off. Do you think it was the mulch?

The bug could have been something else other than mites, but I am not sure. So to be on the safe side I sprayed it. I recently got the monitor from a pet shop that had many different types of reptiles. With all the handling the reptiles get, mites could have easily been transferred from another reptile by the pet shop employees. I have had no ill effects from this mite spay in the past, and I believe it to be safe. If I do see any signs of a side affect I will definitely post here to let everyone know.

Other than the "possible" mite, the Argus seems to be in great shape and eats like an argus should.
-----
Ed

There are water dragons, chameleons, and monitors in my jungle room.

> I guess I am kind of scared of him biting me since I have only
> had him for a few days. I shouldn't be scared though, I have
> been bitten by a lot worse.

While arguses occasionally do bite, I find that they are usually reluctant to do so in self defense. They do put on an impressive hiss and puff display, though, to make you think they will bite.

Have fun with your little guy.

Luke