Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

molurus · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 5:16 pm Post subject: Mites, surviving the freezer !!!

it was feeding time for my female pimbura last weekend,
her usual 1300g rabbit had been in the freezer for the last 3-4 week's.
defrosted it over 24-36 hours as usual and feed it to her with no problem's as usual.
she sits under the hot spot for a week digesting then she's straight in to her water bowl.
the following morning when i get home from work there are small/sibling and adult mites all around the edge of her water bowl (and i mean load's of the bloody little suckers)
i haven't had any type of mites for year's, it's so frustrating !
I'm guessing they came on the rabbit.
i bought the rabbit from frozen direct.com
how do the mites survive the freezer for that time ?
and how do i get shoot of them ?
any new product's on the market ?
the last thing i used for mites was the yellow vapolar block's which you can't get anymore.

any help would be great.

mike h · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 778

I dont think mites can survive being frozen.

I recomend provent a mite, can be hard to get hold but brilliant.
It also solves teh problem of mite eggs as well as the mites in teh enclosure.

Bsically in a room away from animals spray newspaper or substrate and leave over night.
Put in enclosure and outside of enclosure and say bye bye to mites.

Only place I know to get it is glen chandler of jungle phase £29 approx including p&p
really is top stuff but follow instructions to the letter.

http://freespace.virgin.net/jungle.phase/main.htm

mike
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Stuart · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 4:10 pm Post subject:

I would say you got the mites via a different way mate tbh... Confused

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molurus · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:36 am Post subject:

but i have seen flea's survive the freezer Shocked

JohnC · Key Member Joined: 04 Jan 2005 Posts: 219 Location: UK

Are the mites alive and are they snake mites?
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John
Oldest member, been keeping reptiles for 36 years.
Carpets, royals, rainbow boas, corns, milks, ackies and leos.

molurus · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:59 am Post subject:

they are alive, and sucking on blood from someone or something.
cause i know general rule of thumb is mammalian fleas/mites don't bite reptilian.

mark68 · Contributing Member Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 160

Even if mites could survive being frozen for several weeks, I don't think the sort of mites you get on a rabbit would attack a reptile.

Vapona was removed as is a form of neurotoxin that was deemed to be unsafe, I think possibly carcinogenic. Not the sort of thing I want to use.

Frontline is available from vets if not elsewhere and is recommended. Seems very effective and safe for reptiles as long as you follow guidelines