How to Get Rid of Iguana Mites
Iguana mites are often a problem for iguana owners. These external parasites (which look like tiny moving dots) can damage the health and happiness of captive iguanas, and will do significant harm if not treated quickly. Getting rid of mites on your pet iguana can be a lot of work. It does no good to eradicate the mites on an iguana if the animal's enclosure is not also rid of the parasites. Even a few overlooked mites can restart an infestation.
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Instructions
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Ridding Mites from an Iguana
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1
Prepare a shoulder-deep bath with a solution of povidone-iodine and luke-warm water. Use enough povidone-iodine to make the water turn the color of tea.
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2
Place your iguana in the solution. You will begin to notice the mites crawling up towards the iguana's head.
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3
Carefully pour water over your iguana's head (avoiding its eyes) to wash the mites back down into the solution. Remove the iguana from the bath after any visible mites have gone.
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4
Saturate a soft cloth with the povidone-iodine and rub it around the reptile's eyes, and in its skin folds and armpits.
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5
Repeat this process once or twice a week as needed.
Ridding Mites from an Enclosure
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6
Remove and dispose of any substrate in the enclosure, as well as any wooden branches. Remove any inorganic accessories (i.e., food and water bowls, rocks) at this time.
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7
Scrub the enclosure and the accessories very well with a solution of 1/2-cup bleach to 1 gallon of water.
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Fill the enclosure with the bleach and water mixture and let sit. Place accessories in a bowl filled with the bleach mixture.
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9
Rinse the enclosure and accessories very well with water, and let them air dry for at least 24 hours.
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10
Treat the enclosure with a mild pesticide to complete the process. A cat flea collar placed on aluminum foil and sealed into the enclosure should eliminate any residual mites and eggs.
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11
Remove the flea collar and allow the enclosure to air dry for several hours before reintroducing your iguana.
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12
Repeat these steps as necessary, until the mite infestation has been completely eradicated.
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Tips & Warnings
Remove mites from the iguana before attempting to remove mites from enclosure.
Never use any pesticides on your iguana without first consulting a veterinary professional who specializes in reptiles. Many mite treatments sold in pet stores are not effective at completely removing mites. Use products with caution and only after thorough research.
