Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted yesterday about one of my new snakes with mites.. well, It was suggested that I use Provent a Mite, and called around and a local Herp store suggested Reptile Relief. He said to jsut spray down the snake all but its head and eyes, and kind of rub it in. I did that, and also cleaned out the cage with hot water, dried it off, sprayed it down with the Reptile relief, let it sit covered for about 30 minutes, washed it out with water, dried it and put down paper towels for a substrate. He is back in his cage and seems to be doing ok. I am kind of concerned with spraying him down with the treatment though.. seems kind of strong smelling and not sure it is too good for him.... that and there are mixed reviews about all of the mite treatments... someone even said that Reptile relief killed his GTP. Anyone ever tried it with good results or have some comforting ideas for me... thanks..

Sean

I use it about once a week on my burm and my boa. They both came with mites and that's what I started with. Have had NO problems with it. The snakes get sprayed and put into a pillow case when I take them out to clean the tanks. I spray the whole interior of the tank, let it set for maybe fifteen or twenty minutes. Then I clean out the tank with bleach water, let it air out till he bleach smell is gone and set the tank back up , wipe down the snakes with a dry rag and put em back in their home. Probably a little extreme but you do need to use it every few days at first as the mites lay eggs and those hatch every three or four days I think. The reptile relief does not kill the eggs. Good luck.

Quig

I recommend using both Reptile Relief and Provent a Mite. RR works for those buggers that are already eatin at your snake and gets (somewhat) immediate relief to your animal. However it doesn't last - once it's washed off or dired up its no longer effective. This is where the PAM kicks in it kills everything that the RR didn't get and anything that hatches along the way. I suggest a thourough cleaning of the cage and surounding area, spray both down with the PAM - treat your snake with the RR, once the PAM is dry put the snake back in the cage. You will need to follow up the PAM treatment again with every cage cleaning and/or substrate change - but it lasts for a bout a month - I suggest you keep it up for three - to be on the safe side.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

You may also safely use the Wal-Mart "Equate" brand of bed lice spray. Same main ingredient, Permethrin. Smaller can, but much cheaper. When I went to the WM pharmacy to pay for 6 cans, the pharmacist said..."do you have snakes?" lol 5 oz for about $4.

I would still not spray directly onto small snakes.
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

I have used both Reptile Relief and Provent a Mite for years with no ill effects on my snakes. I spray the entire snakes body with RR and then rub them down even the head, especially since mites will hide and burrow down into the snakes heat pits. I have used RR on GTP and they have never been harmed from it. I use this with every new snake I get including captive bred/borns.

Good luck.
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Christine
Tails With Scales Reptiles
Happiness is biting my snake back!

I use the three step formula: Reptile Relief, Provent-A-Mite, and newspaper substrate.

Reptile Relief kills all mites on the animal. Provent-A-Mite kills all mites in the enclosure. Newspaper substrate eliminates any hiding places for mites.

First I spray the Provent-A-Mite on the inside of the enclosure. Then I spray it on both sides of the newspaper substrate. I allow thirty minutes for the PAM to dry. (Do not wash afterward. The PAM must remain on the enclosure to be effective.)

Next I apply the Reptile Relief directly on the animal. I've found it a bit easier to spray down a paper towel with RR and allow the animal to slither through it a few times. This allows for a more uniform treatment and saves formula. (Wrap the damp towel around the animal. Keep a firm grip as the animal slithers through the towel. Repeat three times.)

I received an animal with mites once. I used this three step formula. The mites were gone in two days. Everything was fine.

Chris
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mean people suck