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Rat Mites and ASF's

DragonBoy

DragonBoy

Crazy Cornsnake Breeder
Has anyone who breeds multiple species of rodents ever noticed that ASF's seem to be more prone to mites than standard mice or rats? I have been able to eliminate mites from everything but the ASF colonies. I have a number of balls that only eat live and only eat ASF's that I am working to convert to F/T with little luck. I think I am going to eliminate the asf colonies and see if that solves the mite problem in the rodents. Just wondered what others sensed on this issue.
Thanks
 
The mites you have in your rodents would not be snake mites. They won't jump species like that. I have raised lots of mice and rats and have never had mites of any kind. I don't know about ASF. I am inclined to think your mites are coming from an outside source.
 
The mites that infest rodents tend to come in on the wood type beddings. When working with rodents you want to freeze any wood type bedding for two weeks. This kills all mites on it. I raised gerbils for 16 years and the only time I had mites was when I failed to freeze my bedding.
 
I've not had mites with my rodents either. I recently acquired ASF's, and there doesn't appear to be any mites (I checked after the first time I read this thread), but also, I do know someone who had mites in their rodent colonies, but the were kept in an outdoor garden shed. I suppose it could come from bedding, I've never seen the need to freeze bedding, but I guess I might consider it if my rodents caught mites from the bedding I use. I've been using the same brand of bedding for almost two years, never had any problems with it.
 
wade said:
I am inclined to think your mites are coming from an outside source.
Click to expand...

We figured out it came in or comes in via the bedding bales. My pine bales are 9cu ft compressed bales and I have no space to freeze a pallet of theses at a time. I use roughly a pallet a month. I use roughly a ton of feed in the same period.

Everyone mentions they won't jump species but what many in my local herp club are seeing is that this "black mite" doesn't seem species specific. I had an albino ball to the vet recently with a couple of mites and my vet said the mites are one and the same these days. Makes me wish I knew someone who specialized in insects so we could send several samples from multiple sources to get to the bottom of this mystery.
 
Hmm, interesting theory. I do know that the little black or red mites that infest fur bearing animals will bother all fur bearing animals in the home. I never had them cross to birds though and I did have some during an infestation. I am sorry you are unable to freeze your bedding, its the easiest way to get rid of and keep them gone. Next best would be a simple mite spray made for rodents applied every other week and having those bird mite deterrent things near but never in or on the cages with animals that had been infected or near an infested cage. I never used the bird mite boxes, a friend did and said they worked well. I think she also put moth balls all over the room she stored her supplies in. I know mothballs keep away roaches lol!
 
mites

I too would like to know if the same mites found on rodents can be transfered to snakes. I would think someone out there could tell us. Hopefully.
 
DragonBoy said:
We figured out it came in or comes in via the bedding bales. My pine bales are 9cu ft compressed bales and I have no space to freeze a pallet of theses at a time. I use roughly a pallet a month. I use roughly a ton of feed in the same period.

Everyone mentions they won't jump species but what many in my local herp club are seeing is that this "black mite" doesn't seem species specific. I had an albino ball to the vet recently with a couple of mites and my vet said the mites are one and the same these days. Makes me wish I knew someone who specialized in insects so we could send several samples from multiple sources to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Click to expand...
If you can't freeze the bedding, what about mixing some diatomaceous earth in it? It works as an inert pesticide by cutting through the cuticle of the insect and making it dessicate. The food grade is what you would need (it's mixed in grain at storage to help control weevils)
 
diamondlil said:
what about mixing some diatomaceous earth in it? It works as an inert pesticide by cutting through the cuticle of the insect and making it dessicate. The food grade is what you would need (it's mixed in grain at storage to help control weevils)
Click to expand...

This may sound silly but is there a difference between what I use in my pool filter and what you call food grade?
 
DragonBoy said:
This may sound silly but is there a difference between what I use in my pool filter and what you call food grade?
Click to expand...
Yep, the swimming pool grade can damage the lungs if inhaled. The food grade is sold as ant and crawling insect control, I get mine from a garden supply site where it's sold for use around food crops
 
sinisterserpents1 said:
I too would like to know if the same mites found on rodents can be transfered to snakes. I would think someone out there could tell us. Hopefully.
Click to expand...

I can only tell you what my vet tells me...mind you she has treated assorted hairless rats for me and others as well as seeing a couple snakes along the way related to these mites. According to her microscopic exam these black mites are all the same whether from mammal or reptile source. I do not know anyone who specializes in Insects that I could send samples to.
The classic nix treatment works so well for the snakes...if only I could use it on the few feeders I have to feed live. Freezing I know kills the mites and the eggs so I don't worry to much on the ones eating frozen thawed.

Anyone know a good insect specialist?
 
This is just of the top of my head and may be completely wrong. I am thinking about your snakes that require live mice but you don’t what to bring mites into the house. Mites are pretty easy to drown. I wonder if you put 3 or 4 inches of water into a bucket and let the mice swim for 15 minutes before you feed them to the snake. I would think any mite eggs that may remain attached to the mouse would be digested.

I don’t think the mites on mice are the same as the mites on snakes. I think they are different species. I think.

One other thing, mites are not insects.
 
We had rodent mites once about 7 years ago. (knock on wood) Things have been good for a long time. One thing that worked good on dealing with them is Sevin Dust. This seemed to work better then Ivermectin.

If you use it, get the one that is recommended safe for children and pets. This works good because when it gets wet it is rendered inert. We use it on our Gerbils, Mice, Rats, Hamsters, ASF's and Pygmy Mice to treat for fleas in the Spring and Summer.

Good Luck!

Wayne
 
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