Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering why it says its not for use in cages with no substrate? I bleached out a bunch of my cages and was going to spray them. It says you can wipe it along the top of tupperwares so I dont see why you cant spray it into, say, Boaphile cages.

Also, do both sides of the substrate (newspaper) have to be sprayed?

Thanks for any help,
Nicole
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Coal's Cold-Blooded Creations
Cook Minnesota

BOAS:
Gavin, Lydia, Hailee, and Jade ~ Dumeril's
Wyatt, Sheena, Shaylee, and Mary Jane ~ Columbian
Desdemona ~ Peruvian
Madeline ~ Surinam
Avery ~ Bolivian

CORNS:
Kiana, Sydnee, and Sierra ~ Amel
Casper and Kissa ~ Anery
Tripp and Scarlet ~ Bloodred
Bo, Katrina and Aidan ~ Ghost
Skylar ~ Anery Hurricane
Ariel ~ Striped Amel
Lily ~ Blizzard
Ambur ~ Creamsicle
Neva ~ Snow
Sage ~ Normal

BEARDED DRAGONS:
Divine ~ Silver Pastel
Christopher ~ Sandfire Red x Sandfire Yellow
Baby ~ Snow
Marilyn ~ Sandfire Red
Jane ~ Normal

CAT:
Morgan ~ Calico Tabby

DOGS:
Maximillion Vasco von Katzel and Leas ~ AKC German Shepherds

HORSES:
Mateo ~ Palomino Paint Quarter Gelding
Chic ~ 3/4 Quarter 1/4 Arabian Bay Mare
Rayna ~ 7/8 Quarter 1/8 Arabian Palomino Filly
Dallas ~ Palomino Quarter Gelding
Banner ~ Red Dun Quarter Mare
Chance ~ Buckskin Dun Quarter Colt

Unfortunately, I have no idea why it says that. Perhaps they are concerned that the spray must either 'adhere' to some substrate, or at least be in an enclosed space for 15-20 min. in order to be of maximum effect. Adult mites have a tendency to crawl away from the host and hatch more mites in either the substrate, or out of the cage entirely. So, if the substrate has the spray on it, then it would kill any returning mites to the host. But, all of this is just conjecture. Usually, if you have a mite problem - spray again in a couple of days to kill any remaining/returning mites and your mite problem will most likely be solved.

I had mites a while back from a snake i ordered from ( i don't think i can say who bummer) but i took the snake out and soaked it , and while it was soaking i sprayed the entire inside of cage without substrate. I then closed it up completely for about 20 minutes until the fog was gone , then i opened it up for about 20 minutes again to remove ant fumes that might be floating around. Then i would put the snake back into the cage. If memory serves me right it claims to kill mite for up to 30 days but i was retreating my cages every 2 weeks and soaking the snakes every 3 days for about an hour. After 2 weeks i couldn't find any traces of mite but i continued treatment and soakings for 2 months and i haven't had any mites since then. Now what i do once a month as a caution is spray some provent a mite on a paper towel and wipe the enterence to the cages. Soaking doesn't eliminate the mites but it does drown the adults that are on the snake at the time. When i would soak them i would just use plain water and run my hand down there body to eliminate the air bubbles so the mites couldn't use them to breath. I hope this helps Paul
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SNAKE!!!!HIT THE BRAKES!!!!!!! SCREEEEEECH , What is it , ohh its just a stick sorry honey

thats what i'd planned to do-soak the snake and spray the cage. I just didnt know why i couldnt spray the empty cage. thanks for your help in this issue. i also got mites from 1 boa guaranteed to be clean-yeah right! Now I have 13 snakes with mites. i could just strangle the guy who sold me that one...
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Coal's Cold-Blooded Creations
Cook Minnesota

BOAS:
Gavin, Lydia, Hailee, and Jade ~ Dumeril's
Wyatt, Sheena, Shaylee, and Mary Jane ~ Columbian
Desdemona ~ Peruvian
Madeline ~ Surinam
Avery ~ Bolivian

CORNS:
Kiana, Sydnee, and Sierra ~ Amel
Casper and Kissa ~ Anery
Tripp and Scarlet ~ Bloodred
Bo, Katrina and Aidan ~ Ghost
Skylar ~ Anery Hurricane
Ariel ~ Striped Amel
Lily ~ Blizzard
Ambur ~ Creamsicle
Neva ~ Snow
Sage ~ Normal

BEARDED DRAGONS:
Divine ~ Silver Pastel
Christopher ~ Sandfire Red x Sandfire Yellow
Baby ~ Snow
Marilyn ~ Sandfire Red
Jane ~ Normal

CAT:
Morgan ~ Calico Tabby

DOGS:
Maximillion Vasco von Katzel and Leas ~ AKC German Shepherds

HORSES:
Mateo ~ Palomino Paint Quarter Gelding
Chic ~ 3/4 Quarter 1/4 Arabian Bay Mare
Rayna ~ 7/8 Quarter 1/8 Arabian Palomino Filly
Dallas ~ Palomino Quarter Gelding
Banner ~ Red Dun Quarter Mare
Chance ~ Buckskin Dun Quarter Colt