I
just had to pass this hint on.
I
recently had one of those unfortunate experiences most reptile raisers
have at least once, no matter how careful we are.
Maybe
I can save someone else the headache
of
the search for a good (effective), but safe.. mite treatment and the heartache
of whatever you try not working, or the worst case scenario ---
losing an animal because you just couldn't find a cure!
Finding
those nasty mites on one of your prized reptiles is a real pain, and now
that it's almost summer & the weather is warming up, finding
out those mites are breeding and spreading (no matter what you try) is
EVEN WORSE!!
I called
other breeders, checked with vets, and finally, I talked to the best authority
I could find on
Mite Control! Straight
from a friend who
is an entomologist (an expert on BUGS) was the following recommendation:
The number one substance
to get rid of those pesky varmints was the simplest and safest thing that
even some snake experts must have forgotten it, because it was too EASY!
Mineral
Oil !!!!!
(So
TOTALLY SAFE, even YOU can drink it!)
Just
give your reptiles a good thorough dipping in mineral oil. Make sure
to get around the head, eyes, and vent area where those little devil bugs
hide! It smothers the mites and does no harm to the reptiles. They
should shed within a week of this treatment. It was also many
$$$ less
expensive than any traditional chemical or even natural anti-parasitics
available. On some more delicate lizards, or other reptiles that
might be weak, gently rinse off and clean off the oil after about 5 minutes.
Some times a very mild non-detergent soap is needed, use something unscented
& safe enough for an allergic child if necessary.
Hope
this helps others!!