Mites are a common problem in newly acquired reptiles as well as those housed in less than ideal conditions.  Mites are transmitted either directly from another reptile via skin contact or contact with a shed, or are carried by bedding (usually wood or shavings), cage materials or even people to a new environment.  Mites are usually found in between scales especially on the belly, around the eyes and ears, under the chin, or just freely roaming the body.  They can be black, bright orange or red, or dark red.  Mites feed on blood and can cause worsening stress and overall health in reptiles.  Generally reptile mites do not like to feed on other species, though they will travel on people temporarily.

To treat a mite infestation, you must simultaneously treat both the reptile(s) affected and the respective environment(s).  Pesticides used to kill mites will often times kill or cause illness in the reptiles themselves.  Over the counter mite treatments and herbal or homeopathic remedies usually do not work effectively enough to clear the entire infestation.  The reptile should be seen by a veterinarian before any mite treatment is given to assess the overall health - if there is any debilitation the reptile may need antibiotic or vitamin injections, fluid therapy, or nutritional supplementation prior to treatment.  The following are recommendations to help treat mites in the environment:

• Soak your reptile in warm water to remove some of the mites.
  
• Remove all bedding and substrates from the enclosure and vacuum the inside of the cage and all around the cage on the floor.
  
• Clean the tank with soapy water or dilute bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water) and rinse thoroughly after letting it soak for 10-15 minutes.
  
•  For wood structures (cages, branches, etc.) soak or spray in soapy water and rinse thoroughly.  Bake in the oven at 250 degrees for 30 minutes or sit out in the hot sun for 24 hours.  Make sure to check on your cage belongings to make sure the heat is not damaging them.  
• Clean all lighting fixtures and electrical equipment with a damp cloth.
  
• Clean all rocks, bowls, and other materials thoroughly with the dilute bleach solution and rinse thoroughly.
• Once the cage is disinfected, rinsed and has dried, the reptile can go back into the enclosure.  Use paper towels or newspaper as the substrate for the next 3-6 weeks.  This will make it easier to see the mites and is easy to keep clean.
• Throw away ALL bedding you had for your reptile - even if you just opened a new bag - this could be a source of contamination!
• Remember to do this for all your reptiles, even if they are not infected, because their cages may be harboring mites that you inadvertently transferred there after handling the infected reptile.
• Repeat this cleaning procedure 3 weeks and 6 weeks after finding a mite problem.

With treating both the reptile and the environment, your mite problem should be resolved within 6 weeks.  You MUST treat both in order to clear an infestation.  To help prevent a mite infestation, follow these simple rules:

1. When obtaining a new reptile, look for any evidence of mites.
2. Take your new reptile to a veterinarian knowledgeable in exotics within a day or two of obtaining him or her.
3. Keep your new reptile in a quarantine room, away from your other reptiles, until a veterinarian can check him or her out.  Handle your new reptile after your current reptiles, and thoroughly wash your hands before and after handling each reptile.  A 30 day minimum quarantine is recommended for all new reptiles even after they are evaluated by a veterinarian.  This is for the safety of your reptiles!
4. Avoid using wood bedding.  When we see your reptile for the first time, we will make husbandry recommendations for you that are appropriate for your specie of reptile in order to optimize his or her health.