Mite Remedy Found!!!

[Zouave]

Eureka.

I have found it!

After months and months of being plagued by mites I have found the solution. Of course regular cleaning is important, as is vacuuming several times a week, Diatomeceous Earth (see other thread on that), and '8 in 1" Ultra Care spray. They all have their place. But the DE was of limited value, and I worried about toxicitity from repeated use of the the spray on the animals. Plus, it was a lot of work.

I have found "Hi-Yield Garden Pet & Livestock Dust", which I bought for jus five dollars for a pound. It was recommended by the owner of a plant nursery I have gone to for years. It contains .25% permethrin.

I have now used it for weeks and the animals are fine and normal - and the mites totally gone, even in tanks where they were multiplying alarmingly and on the pets!

Two or three tablespoons sprinkled in a ten gallon tank and mixed into the bedding; a little more dusted on and under wooden blocks and the like, and a pinch worked into the pets.

I am convinced it is safe in these amounts, and the mites are totally gone. It's like a miracle!! :D

[SpunkyMunky]

Smart Zouave. You're the new mite expert:).
If my hamster ever gets mites I'll be sure to look at this page for refrence. I've enver had a problem with mites, yet.
Does it work on gerbils without altering their scent?

[Zouave]

Gerbils are acting normally after sprinkling a pinch on them and rubbing it in especially under their back legs. The stuff seems to be odorless, and safe.

[SpunkyMunky]

Thanks for the remedy. Do the mites seem to be backing off yet?

[Zouave]

The mites are long gone. Vanished.

The animals seem fine!

[SpunkyMunky]

how long have the animals had mites for though?

[Zouave]

Off and on around here for several years. But recently they have been regularly appearing a week or two after each tank cleaning.

I have sprinkled the powder on rugs and upholstery, and vacuumed it off days later.

[Zouave]

be sure to have good ventilation, though. Do not use it in an aquarium or bin with a tight fitting lid and tiny airholes. (You shouldn't have those anyway!).

[issaluvsgerbs]

congrats zouave! I have experienced re-accuring mites on all of my rodents, and all i could do was clean and repeat process. i will try this asap! Thank you again for your endless stream of knowledge that you kindly spread among us, and your advice that you are never afraid to share.