| Suncharmers Mite Madness |
Welcome I am the mite slayer!
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| Colorful Collareds & More |
** Let me start by saying I have vowed to every lizard I lost, or that suffered even for a short time, that I would KILL every mite that I possibly can FOREVER. The Mite Slayer has spoken, :0) ********* After taking in some collareds, in late 2006 and doing all the right things so I thought, like cleaning them with brand name mite sprays, isolating from my collection for a time, cleaning wounds I thought were from fighting,,,ot a real knock down PUNCH. ** Snake mites began to appear. Not only on the rescues, but my collection, in which some of my lizards even free roamed in the reptile room. This was as an exhausting Nightmare. Never had I encountered these evil lil creatures in all my years working with reptiles. Cleaning , scrubbing tanks, furniture, tossing wood items, dismantling my entire reptile room, cleaning a zillion lizards, was UNBELIEVABLE to say the least. |
Photo: Mites have done some
damage to this guys eye area and
face. You can see if you look closely
the scales are roughed up, and
rawish looking, a crusty appearance.
The lizard looks very weak.
damage to this guys eye area and
face. You can see if you look closely
the scales are roughed up, and
rawish looking, a crusty appearance.
The lizard looks very weak.
Photo: This is a beautiful yellowhead male that was sent with
mites, he is in such a weakened condition, anemic.
mites, he is in such a weakened condition, anemic.
Photo 1 * Mite vacating tail scales after being treated. After reading that these nasty things leave the tanks at night and can travel in the room and lay eggs elsewhere creating MORE blood sucking monsters, that at least three of the 5 stages are microscopic, I declared WAR...Madnessg lost some of my scaly friends from the stresses, and affects of these nasty parasites ( cause extreme discomfort, enema, weakness, and even death) I went into the " Mite Madness Mode". |
| Photo 2 * Extreme mite damage Never say Never, be watchful... I have never in 10 years had any snake mites, don't own snakes,separatefelt I did a good job cleaning so forth when they arrived, kept them separate, but never took the time to learn about snake mites, and how they lay the eggs and can appear later. Now I stand on guard, never taking anything for granted. Check your lizards vent areas, and ears, and yes even their eyes, in between toes, these things are NASTY |
| Photo 3 * Red Mites Also some wild caughts arrive with bright red mites, most of us are more familiar with these as we see many wild caught lizard photos where they are quite noticeable. These are often seen in tiny spaces called mite pockets. Mites are mites, does not matter to me what the color, they are all EVIL creatures, no place for them. :0( |
| Photo 4 * Mites made this guys head a meal. This guy arrives not feeling so well. After some oil treatments, the skin lifted from this poor guys head and this is what was under there. The mites had been embedded under here and had been using this guy for their meals. I NEVER saw any, just rough scroungy looking scales, until the skin came off. |
Signs of Mites / Lizard behavior
*******************************
One major sign is a lethargic, weak, thin lizard that does not bask at all or only brief periods, does not
eat, stays on cool side and hangs head, eyes closed, general poor condition, extreme
weakness/depression.
Sores, roughed up looking scales, gnawed looked, raw, reddened looking scales. Brown crusty or
brownish blistery looking spots on scales, or vent area. Sores, or crusty looking appearance in corners
of mouth, sore red feet/ in between toes, sores on tails. Actual mites seen of course. Mites can be
blackish/brownish,,ed, white/tannish , can be as tiny a period at the end of a sentence, and they are the
ones you can see. Some stages, and there are 5 are microscopic, egg, larva, protonymph,
deutonymph, and adult I will include a link on the stages.
*******************************
One major sign is a lethargic, weak, thin lizard that does not bask at all or only brief periods, does not
eat, stays on cool side and hangs head, eyes closed, general poor condition, extreme
weakness/depression.
Sores, roughed up looking scales, gnawed looked, raw, reddened looking scales. Brown crusty or
brownish blistery looking spots on scales, or vent area. Sores, or crusty looking appearance in corners
of mouth, sore red feet/ in between toes, sores on tails. Actual mites seen of course. Mites can be
blackish/brownish,,ed, white/tannish , can be as tiny a period at the end of a sentence, and they are the
ones you can see. Some stages, and there are 5 are microscopic, egg, larva, protonymph,
deutonymph, and adult I will include a link on the stages.
Suspect Mites?
*************************
*** MITE INSPECTION , TEST, - I would recommend to everyone take a minute to do a mite
inspection. MANY people say, I don't see mites, well I say CHECK anyway, this way......
Get a magnifying glass, some mineral oil, even olive oil, hold the collared in your palm tummy up, pour
some oil on the white tummy, smear it around, get your magnifying glass and just observe a few minutes,
see if you begin to notice any blackish/ tannish or reddish spots appearing from the scales. These will
look tiny like "pepper" size.
Some Tips, Things I have Learned That Help Or Do Not Work
********* ********************************************
After trying things, reptile relief, named brand sprays for the room, and cages, I found that these were
okay for small problems or a few lizards you bring in, but was not sufficient for a LARGE problem.
Some use it on a few lizards, and have had GOOD success. *** I also use it on just a few lizards, or as
a maintenance every so often in case anyone has a couple or anyone came in with a few red mites.
Olive oil, baby oil and mineral oils are very good for suffocating mites when you have a few lizards that
are infested, but it takes alot to do an entire collection, and maybe many times. Also this must be
washed off next day. I even lost a young lizard from the oil. So be careful do not smother the lizard in
oil.
Always, keep any new lizards in a separate area from your other reptiles/ quarantine time at least 30 to
60 days. AND treat the new arrivals last, after taking care of your healthy lizards. Wash hands well
after handling new arrivals, their caging, furniture, until they are mites are eradicated. Mites get a
welcomed ride on you, to their new meal.
*************************
*** MITE INSPECTION , TEST, - I would recommend to everyone take a minute to do a mite
inspection. MANY people say, I don't see mites, well I say CHECK anyway, this way......
Get a magnifying glass, some mineral oil, even olive oil, hold the collared in your palm tummy up, pour
some oil on the white tummy, smear it around, get your magnifying glass and just observe a few minutes,
see if you begin to notice any blackish/ tannish or reddish spots appearing from the scales. These will
look tiny like "pepper" size.
Some Tips, Things I have Learned That Help Or Do Not Work
********* ********************************************
After trying things, reptile relief, named brand sprays for the room, and cages, I found that these were
okay for small problems or a few lizards you bring in, but was not sufficient for a LARGE problem.
Some use it on a few lizards, and have had GOOD success. *** I also use it on just a few lizards, or as
a maintenance every so often in case anyone has a couple or anyone came in with a few red mites.
Olive oil, baby oil and mineral oils are very good for suffocating mites when you have a few lizards that
are infested, but it takes alot to do an entire collection, and maybe many times. Also this must be
washed off next day. I even lost a young lizard from the oil. So be careful do not smother the lizard in
oil.
Always, keep any new lizards in a separate area from your other reptiles/ quarantine time at least 30 to
60 days. AND treat the new arrivals last, after taking care of your healthy lizards. Wash hands well
after handling new arrivals, their caging, furniture, until they are mites are eradicated. Mites get a
welcomed ride on you, to their new meal.
What I Have Tried With Good Results
Enough said I think everyone gets the point, mites are bad news. I decided to try some things on my
own after I lost some special longtime scaly friends, and still had some that were not doing well. In
doing some reading and investigating into mites/ lice and just plain nasty parasites that affect people
and other animals I learned some things that are used.
** I put together a "SPRAY WASH" for TOPICAL use ONLY, meaning on the skin, JUST A WASH
( Like a SOAPY MIX), NOT GIVEN INTERNALLY. I use it weekly on lizards that I have found
many mites on or see damage from them. I use the spray wash WEEKLY until the lizard begins to
improve, then I wash them with the spray wash, every TWO weeks. I also use the same spray
wash in their tanks, and scrub their caves, furniture also.
** An important thing to remember is these mites crawl high up to lay eggs, or out of tank, so I always
spray and scrub the screened lids each time the tanks are done too.
***** I ALWAYS make sure there is plenty of water available for my lizard/s or give by dropper if
need be, but keep hydrated, especially while using this spray wash.
One more major thing, whenever your lizards are treated for mites, some may tend to sit motionless,
eyes closed,ingredientsa daze or sick. Most snap out of this within a couple hours or by next day
when they feel better. The reason being... mites inject Toxins when they fall off/ dying, being killed,
and the lizard is feeling the effects. Other lizards seem to PERK up immediately after I use the
spray wash. And some lizards are just in terrible shape when arriving and sadly some will perish. But
we have to help all that we can.
The ingredients I use cost about 10.00
MITE MADNESS MIX.........
Enough said I think everyone gets the point, mites are bad news. I decided to try some things on my
own after I lost some special longtime scaly friends, and still had some that were not doing well. In
doing some reading and investigating into mites/ lice and just plain nasty parasites that affect people
and other animals I learned some things that are used.
** I put together a "SPRAY WASH" for TOPICAL use ONLY, meaning on the skin, JUST A WASH
( Like a SOAPY MIX), NOT GIVEN INTERNALLY. I use it weekly on lizards that I have found
many mites on or see damage from them. I use the spray wash WEEKLY until the lizard begins to
improve, then I wash them with the spray wash, every TWO weeks. I also use the same spray
wash in their tanks, and scrub their caves, furniture also.
** An important thing to remember is these mites crawl high up to lay eggs, or out of tank, so I always
spray and scrub the screened lids each time the tanks are done too.
***** I ALWAYS make sure there is plenty of water available for my lizard/s or give by dropper if
need be, but keep hydrated, especially while using this spray wash.
One more major thing, whenever your lizards are treated for mites, some may tend to sit motionless,
eyes closed,ingredientsa daze or sick. Most snap out of this within a couple hours or by next day
when they feel better. The reason being... mites inject Toxins when they fall off/ dying, being killed,
and the lizard is feeling the effects. Other lizards seem to PERK up immediately after I use the
spray wash. And some lizards are just in terrible shape when arriving and sadly some will perish. But
we have to help all that we can.
The ingredients I use cost about 10.00
MITE MADNESS MIX.........
| I use 1 TABLESPOON of 20 mule team borax and put into my large spray bottle. **************************** ** This can also be used to sprinkle around the OUTSIDE of tanks or your reptile room floor, it will kill any adult mites, and dries out mite eggs. |
| Also along with my TABLESPOON of Borax, I add One Tablespoon of original Ivory Dish Soap "white bottle" (very concentrated) OR the very popular DAWN that is used for wildlife rescue/ ducks, critter covered in oil. And also.......peroxide tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide ( we use for cleaning cuts) ADD ENOUGH WARMISH WATER TO FILL 3/4 to ENTIRE SPRAY BOTTLE, AND SHAKE. Should be a bit suddsy/ clearish looking. Again, so no one is confused, this is NOT a medicine, it is a TOPICAL wash..For the body. NOT meant for internal use, it would be harmful. I'm adding this as someone emailed and asked if this was a medicine, NO WAY, .... just a SOAPY WASH MIXTURE for the outside of the lizard to help kill mites and dry out eggs. If you are confused in any way PLEASE just ask me. eve@suncharmers.com |
Warning : This is a wash for outer body
only. Not to be given internally.
only. Not to be given internally.
| Hold lizard in hand, I do this over bathroom sink, spray mite madness mixture:0) on lizards back , legs. tail, and use other hand to lather up and rub around, use finger to put some on head and "carefully" around eyes, mouth...,, and do this quick, before spending time lathering everywhere else as the mites run for cover, in eyes, ear openings vents, mouth. Turn lizard over and spray more on tummy , chest, vent area, legs feet, don't miss any parts, lol. Let sit a minute, then with water turned on low stream rinse head,peroxide tummy off. I Have some paper towels handy to pat dry. FOR MOUTH - Use a Q-tip dipped in a small lid or whatever with half water/ half peroxide, nothing else, just water and peroxide and swab the inside corners of mouth and along the lip areas, top and bottom, looks like a groove/ fold, mites like the corners of mouth and in these grooves. Return to NICE CLEAN TANK or holding bin until I clean tank. Remember I said lizard will sit there motionless awhile, as mites are dying, also if any are embedded in feet/toes whatever and come to the surface you may see bleeding or a hole/ sore where they vacated. That's what I have been using for a few months with much success. Lizards became more active, gained weight. I DO NOT use this spray mixture more than ONCE a week on any lizard no matter how many mites they have. Once a week, until improvement, then once every 2 weeks, then when or if I feel it necessary. Or maybe when bringing in new lizards. This kills mites and dries out mite eggs. I always make sure my lizards are WELL HYDRATED after I use this. ** I also use 100 percent virgin liquid COCONUT OIL first then next day use the spray wash, A TINY DAB goes a long way( it's thick) when rubbed around, I DO NOT PUT A LOT ON. I mainly dab this on affected vents or feet, tail, where I see damage. It penetrates much deeper than any oils. But like I say a TINY dab really spreads. ** Again, can't say it enough, I always HYDRATE after using oils ,;HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE, PLEASE remember to keep them HYDRATED, ;0) Hope I made it clear. If you have lizards that eat salad, give plenty of freshly washed and leave wet salad or mist the salad with plenty of water. Here's to Happy Healthy Lizards, and DEAD mites |
