Mites MUST have a reptile host to live. That being said they can live away from a host for quite awhile and they travel pretty easy. You can get mites from countless different ways. The most common being on a new animal or bedding from a dirty pet store ect. Provent a mite is a good product. It is very expensive especially if treating a large collection. Good news is wal mart has an off brand called 'equate bedding spray' which is the same stuff. I have used it for years and i know a lot (20 ) keepers who used the off brand with no ill effects. The key is to treat your whole collection and treat every 2 weeks until the mites are gone. Do not spray it near your animal. Take out the animal and water bowl and spray the bedding and then let it fully dry and air out before introducing your animal. I have found natural chemistrys reptile relief to be effective. I always wipe down a new animal and its tub with reptile relief before quarantine and i havent had a mite in years.