mammalian mites...

[DragonBoy]

I have off and on battled mammalian mites in my colonies of Rats and ASF's. I have been able to keep them "under control" for most of the winter but now with the damp spring weather they have come out with a vengeance.
I have been using bird spray, and mite spray for reptiles along with "revolution" topical for cats. Nothing seems to be working.
I contacted one of the suppliers for another kind of idea and was recommended to use Pro Zap Insect Guard Strip. The Manufacturer states it is "One of the most effective treatments in the elimination of mites. Breeders around the country have been using this product for more than 20 years."

I honestly have never heard of the product...has anyone out there used this product and mainly is it safe?
Thanks

 

[CrousesCorns]

I have had some problems in the past and have used the 8in1 bird protectors. I place it on the screen lids and it seems to work well. They are also very cheap. If you find out something on the other product please post.
http://www.petco.com/product/1932/8-in-1-Bird-Protector.aspx#description

 

[wade]

Scott, I've sent you a PM. I am not familiar with that brand of pest guard you mention above.

With recurring problems, the eggs of the mites are laid in the cage and around the area. You kill all the mites and then a week later the eggs hatch. Usually you have to look at continuos treatment or repeated treatment like every 5 days for a month or something like that.

Another thing I thought of. Do a search for Nix and Mites. There is a good article here on CS.com. It is related to snakes but I would think it could be applied to mice and rats as well.

Good luck.

 

[MedusaCorns]

bird mite spray doesn't work.. FIRST your going to have to go to the vet "with an infected animal and get IVOMECTIN" follow vets orders.. should be pretty cheap for 3cc vials..

Next Go to Walmart garden center. Get SEVIN <~spelled like that Dust and concentrate spray... "the one that says child/animal safe"

Dilute the concentrate as directions say for a spray bottle.. Mix the dust with a chinchilla dust "NOT SAND" When cleaning day comes around instead of your bleach solution spray use the sevin mixture. Spray down and wipe down tanks, lids, wall and floors with the solution.. Before adding new litter sprinkle the dust over the animal in a separate bin and on the tank bottom before you place the litter in.... Fluff litter till it makes a cloudy puff.. Treat animal with IVO and return animals to their bins. Every third day sprinkle with Chinny/sevin dust mix..Follow vet IVO orders... Do this for a month but will see the effects within 2 weeks.. Keep treatment going for two months...


About five years ago I got mites on my show gerbs. I did this and have never seen the mites again also good for cats and dogs for fleas... Once spring comes around I'm always dusting them till first frost.

 

[torsten]

You could try Predator mites, they should work and they eat the eggs as well.

 

[MedusaCorns]

Ewwwww.. They might work but the idea of putting mites on my animals gives me the willies even if they don't bother humans or animals LOL

 

[torsten]

I used them on an outbreak of mites in my snake collection and they worked really well!

 

[DragonBoy]

I am familiar with the IVOMECTIN but which form are you recommending? I can get topical dredge that is absorbed through the skin or I can get one that is injectable. I cannot imagine giving this many rats shots...Ouch!
Thanks

 

[toyah]

I am familiar with the IVOMECTIN but which form are you recommending? I can get topical dredge that is absorbed through the skin or I can get one that is injectable. I cannot imagine giving this many rats shots...Ouch!
Thanks

I use the injectable ivermectin - it doesn't need injected (it's actually better not to). Put one drop behind the ear on each rat, repeat once a week for three weeks. Can you see the mites on them? If not why do you think they have mites?

The Pro Zap Insect Guard Strip sounds similar to the Vapona products which rodent breeders over here swore by until they were banned due to cancer concerns. I would use one after you've got rid of the active problem, to stop reoccurance.

I am not sure if predator mites would work on rodents - are they not specialised in what mites they eat? I certainly think it'd be easier using medication, though obviously be careful not to use any of the snakes as feeders for a while after medicating them.

 

[torsten]

As far as i am aware the predator mites eat whatever mites and mites eggs are around, they have the advantage of eating the eggs as well and you don't need to worry about the chemicals when feeding the rats to the the snakes afterwards.

 

[DragonBoy]

Can you see the mites on them?

In a word YES...Mites on the rats and on the cage walls and several other items of the cages. I just cleaned everything with bleach again and hope that knocks them down. I will pick up some of the ivomectin at the feed mill. Vet said I could get it there cheaper than she could sell it to me.
It does not seem to cause any problems other than hair loss in adults I jus hate seeing the bugs crawling on them.

 

[DragonBoy]

As far as i am aware the predator mites eat whatever mites and mites eggs are around, they have the advantage of eating the eggs as well and you don't need to worry about the chemicals when feeding the rats to the the snakes afterwards.

Where does one acquire predator mites? How do you get rid of them once they eliminate the other mites or do they simply die off?
Thanks

 

[toyah]

In a word YES...Mites on the rats and on the cage walls and several other items of the cages. I just cleaned everything with bleach again and hope that knocks them down. I will pick up some of the ivomectin at the feed mill. Vet said I could get it there cheaper than she could sell it to me.
It does not seem to cause any problems other than hair loss in adults I jus hate seeing the bugs crawling on them.

In that case I'd bet they have lice, not mites. Ivermectin does knock out rat lice though

 

[torsten]

I don't know where you can get it in America but if you just google it then it should come up. They come in a peat and vermiculite mix (i think the minimum quantity is 10000) and you just can sprinkle them in the bedding and in the surroundings and when there are no more mites or mite eggs they die off.

 

[Cat_Eyed_Lady]

I have had mite problems before too and it does cause hair loss and makes them scratch like crazy! Poor things! I used the bleach solution once a week and then before adding the bedding I would spray the tanks with a mite killer spray that I got at the garden center. Its safe for just about all animals. I would spray this on everything in the tank as well. Just a light spray. Took abit of time and I used it for a few weeks after too, just to make sure they were gone. It works on the eggs as well and doesnt hurt the rodents at all. I will see if I can find the spray bottle so that I can tell you the name, if you wish. I wish you good luck with getting rid of the mites.

Cat

 

[MedusaCorns]

I am familiar with the IVOMECTIN but which form are you recommending? I can get topical dredge that is absorbed through the skin or I can get one that is injectable. I cannot imagine giving this many rats shots...Ouch!
Thanks

It doesn't say on the bottle a brand, just Ivormectin. It's the oral kind and a drop is placed either on the nose if you can't get it into their mouth or on top of the head above the eyes so when the critter clean itself it washed it's face bringing it's hands down to their mouth. It's easier to put a drop on the nose or head rather then force into the mouth and ending up giving more or wasting it. Ask the vet to also include the needle CUT SHORT as the tube will sometimes stick and when you try to get a little drop out it squirts all over and half is gone.