Lice and mites in reptiles
Like birds and mammals, reptiles can also suffer from lice and mites. The most common mite is the Red mite.
Most common mites in reptiles
The official name of this blood mite is Ophionyssus natricis. This is mite looks like a very small spider, who likes to hide in the litter of a terrarium. This mite mainly occurs in the following reptiles:
- Snakes
- Bearded dragons
- Varans
- Lizards
- Iguanas
The red mite is dark red in color and is about 1 millimeter in size. Because he has 8 legs, the blood louse looks like a small spider. Usually you recognize the mite because your animals are become less active. Sometimes you can see the small larvae in the water tank in the form of small black grains. Take a picture of it and zoom in on the picture. You will see that these grains suddenly have paws and a head. On the animals themselves you sometimes can see them crawling between the scales.
How does the blood mite get into the terrarium?
After the blood mite has eaten, it will look for a spot to lay eggs. Because at this stage they can move a few meters, they can ‘walk’ to another terrarium. In addition, blood mites will remain on the reptile for a few days.
If you have just bought a new animal, it may have brought those mites with it.
Exponential increase
reptile blood mite can lay 15 to 25 eggs in one clutch. You can imagine that this can cause an exponential increase.
Eggs hatch after only 1 day
When the climate is optimal is in the terrarium, eggs can hatch after only 1 day.
Eggs can hibernate
The eggs of the reptile blood mite are so resilient that they can hatch months later.
Read more about the Finecto+ approach for reptiles
Finecto+ method for reptiles
- Makes the blood unattractive for mites
- 100% natural, does not contain poison
- No waiting time. The eggs can still be eaten during and after the treatment
- If ordered before 16.00 hours, shipped the same day!
- 300 gram
- Makes animals and environment unattractive for red mites
- 100% natural, does not contain poison
- Eggs can be eaten without having to wait
- If ordered before 16.00 hours, shipped the same day
- 1000ml
Why are lice of reptiles so hard to treat?
The lice of reptiles are fond of playing “hide and seek”. They hide on the darker places in the terrarium. These are primarily cracks and crevices, but also in the litter. Spots who are hard to reach.
In addition, eggs can hibernate. So when you think you solved the lice problem, there could still be eggs in the terrarium.
Lice hide
Because lice hide, they are hard to treat. You cannot reach all the lice in the cracks and crevices. So with conventional treatment products it’s very unlikely to solve your problem.
Rest position at high temperatures
Then the temperature comes above 28 degrees, the lice are going into “rest position”. Lice who are resting are harder to treat.
Transfer diseases
The lice can transfer diseases to the reptiles. The infection of diseases is transmitted by lice who prick different animals.
