Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my swift has red bumps that look like some kind of bug around his eyes. i know the description isnt a good one and i can post pics later but does anyone know if this sounds like some sort of parasite and how would i get rid of it?

Sounds like mites but with out a picture or better description its hard to say. My method for mite control may not be that of others but here is what I do. 1st of all I do not nor have I had a mite problem since starting this but when I bring wild caughts in they all get it. 1st thing you need to do is quarantine the lizard and keep it away from all your other herps. Put it in a smaller enclosure that is easier to clean Use a paper towel as the substrate. Give it a small water dish that is easier to clean. get a bottle of Ultra Care 8 in 1 mite and lice bird spray Active Ingredients, Pyrethrins and Piperonyl Butoxide, Also get a box of Q tips. Every day Take the individual out of the quarantine enclosure. Dip the Qtip in the Ultra Care and swab infected areas "DO NOT SWAB FACE, HEAD OR VENT" Be sure to get under the limbs and the belly. Place the lizard in shoulder deep luke warm water. While the lizard is soaking toss out the paper towel and clean out the enclosure and water dish. Put in new paper towel. Fill water dish and put the lizard back in the enclosure. I understand your problem may be around the eyes and you CAN NOT use this method in that area but this method may help to prevent a spread or if they do spread it will control them. I also wear latex gloves while doing it as to help not transmit any infections to my collection. A bottle of Natural Hand Sanitizer available at most dollar stores works wanders to keep your hands disinfected as well. DO NOT under any circumstances spray the bottle of Ultra Care on the lizard. It comes in a handy spray bottle and I know it may seem easier but it will kill the lizard. There are other methods that may work better for you and I pray someone posts them as I am not exactly sure what they are. As I said before this method has worked wonders for me and I have observed no adverse side affects of applying the spray with a Q tip. Good luck, keep us informed.
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