Is it safe to use reptile relief, P A M, or prozap pest strips on gravid or breeding balls????? I had a couple mites from a bag of bedding, i think thats where they came from...anyways Ive been using RR, and PAM...except on my poss. gravid females and breeding females,,,,is this stuff ok to use on them?? i was told to just spray the outside of their tubs because i didnt need to disturb their pheromones...but since this stuff is poison anyway, how can i use it in regards to my females???? Is it ok to go ahead and use it like i have on the other snakes i have, without hurting their gestation...or can i just put little chunks of prozap outside ir inside their tubs and eliminate the mite prob that way??????? Pleeezzzzzzz some good advice and hopefuly experienced results.....
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Pro zap,,,and other mite products, with gravid or breeding balls.
Replies (3)
anyone????
Although I've never had experience with having to use PAM or Reptile Relief on gravid or breeding balls, I do recall there being a post previously where it was said that it was safe to use on gravid balls. I don't think it would affect thier breeding habits at all. But you don't use PAM on the snake use it only on the substrate and enclosure, reptile relief is safe to use directly on the snake. Sorry - that's the best I can do.
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Tosha 
8.15.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
1.0.0 Angolan Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.3 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer
...let me add that one can never assume anything when it comes to xenobiotics (any substance not part of a normal diet)...P-A-M is a pyrethrin-type insecticide, naturally-derived from chrysanthamum-type plants, and has a low order of toxicity in mammalian systems and apparently most reptiles as well...
...PRO-ZAP and other No-Pest-Strip (NPS) products contain dichlorvos, an organophosphate anticholinesterase insecticide, synthetically created, and these have a higher toxicity compared to pyrethrins...but also a potentially better insecticidal capacity...
...as in human medicine, use of any given drug/toxin (drug=toxin; dose-dependent)in/around
a pregnant animal has to be based on a risk/benefit analysis...in this case, if there is an existing mite infestation, it will ultimately lead to demise of the snakes, whereas proper use of the insecticides will not likely lead to toxic effects...therefore treat the snakes...
...Treatment: after discarding used substrate, replace with paper (I prefer unprinted newsprint as a standard substrate)...this will allow close inspection... holes in tubs should be taped over (frequently you'll find mites stuck to the tape as they attempt to exit the cage through the holes)...in a lidless rack system you can't really do anything about the space between the tub lip and "ceiling"...I prefer dichlorvos because it becomes vaporized, and can reach anyplace a mite can get, whereas P-A-M may not do that due to settling...assuming fresh NPS, depending on tub size, 1/2" x 1/2" up to 1" x 2" piece, placed in a 35mm film canister/Rx pill bottle with several 1/4" holes in it, placed in the cage for 12-18 hours every 10 days or so for 3 treatments...P-A-M will be useful for spraying the rack itself, area carpet or floor...
...to summarize, if you know your female(s) have mites, there is little option but to properly and effectively treat...
Scott J. Michaels DVM RPh
Serpent City
