Mites! How do deal with these?

[abhaya]

I have just discovered some white mites on a few of my Goniuraurus. One has them clustering in the folds of its eyelids. I keep them on eco earth strata and use "wet hides" for shelters. I realize I will need to "quarantine" the infected individuals and sterilize their enclosures and replace the soil but can anyone recommend how to deal with the infestations on the animals directly. Most of the info I gathered seems to be contradictory. Basically the mites do not seem to affecting their over all health as they are fat and feeding well and crickets. These are all wild caught and have been in my possesion about 8 months. It is winter in Hong Kong so the ambient temperture is about 20C most of the time so maybe this might cause this problem to surface? During the summer they do OK at 25C-27C. Would just picking the mites off the with a fine pair of tweezers on the one in its eyelids cause them to get infected? Since they have eyelids it is sort of a problem. If anybody has successfully treated this problem in this specific species it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, David

 

[Savedsynner]

That's tough. You could try predatory mites, which only feed on mites and not your gecko. Normally, people recommend a q-tip and veg oil to drown them then peel them of but with actual eyelids, bad idea.

Would anyone recommend something like Provent a Mite used properly(i.e. NOT sprayed on the animal)?

On the one hand it's cool you have easy access to Gonis where you live. On the other hand, wild caught always have some form of parasites.

 

[cassicat4]

White mites don't sound like the parasitic type that will pose problems to your geckos, but more like a type of soil or grain mite. Can you see the mites in the substrate at all, and particularly around any of the food items in the enclosure? As well, I would suggest checking your feeder tub. If it's grain mites, they often hitch a ride on the feeders, and warmer temps and humidity allow them to multiply and thrive.

You're also certain they're not springtails?

 

[abhaya]

Thanks for the replies. These are certainly the parasitic variety, I can see their nasty little legs sticking out where they have burrowed into the skin. Anyway the predatory mites sound like a good idea. I googled around and found someone used Hypoaspis miles eggs, if it doesn't violate any rules on the site could someone advise where I can purchase these online (and who will ship internationally). What I found available was for horticultural use. thanks, David

 

[Savedsynner]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the only retail breeders of Hypoaspis are for horticulture and it can get kind of expensive. They haven't reached the popularity of of beneficial bugs like springtails or isopods where Reptile dealers carry them.

You would have to check if they can ship internationally.

My advice is look for solutions people have given to Leopard geckos with mites in their eyes, since they are the most popular gecko with eyelids and you would find more responses than if you searched for cave gecko solutions only.