Your Reptile and Amphibian Resource and Information Site

Back to Fence Lizards Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area  

Fence Lizards Forum

Dont   Chamois   Desertspiny4ever   Aliceinwl  
 Member  Message

 #1718948


Dont
View Profile

 Lizard has red bugs

Have had Eastern Fence lizard for five months, suddenly he has very small dark red bugs on him. He is in a nice terrarium with nothing new being added except crickets and water. Has anyone experienced this?
04/28/08  01:31pm

 #1720520


Chamois
View Profile



   Message To: Dont   In reference to Message Id: 1718948


 Lizard has red bugs

no but i dosnt sound good you should take him to a vet petstore or reasherch it
04/29/08  07:31pm

 #1720826


Desertspiny4ever
View Profile



   Message To: Chamois   In reference to Message Id: 1720520


 Lizard has red bugs

They are mites. Try to remove them as quick as possible. You can buy products for mites from a pet supply store
04/30/08  12:52am

 #1720862


Aliceinwl
View Profile



   Message To: Desertspiny4ever   In reference to Message Id: 1720826


 Lizard has red bugs

I agree that they are mites. He probably always had them, but they’ve been steadily multiplying and now that the infestation is advanced you’re seeing them.

You need to do the following (if you don’t take action your lizard will likely die of blood loss):

Remove all the furnishing and substrate anything that you want to put back into the tank will need to be baked, boiled or bleached to kill any mites and eggs that might be on them. Use 10% bleach for non-porous items. Bake or boil wood and rocks at 250 for 15-20 minutes.

Wash the cage with the 10% bleach solution.

Only put in the bare essentials, use something like paper towels for substrate.

Throw away any contaminated materials in an outside trash can.

re-wash the tank weekly and disinfect efeything in it weekly.

Every 2-3 days apply a thin coating of vegetable or mineral oil to your lizard. Be careful not to get it in the eyes, nose or mouth. Do this for about a week or until you can no longer find any mites. Wait another week to make sure they’re really gone and then replace the furnishings etc.

Many of the mite products are too toxic for small lizards. The above is very effective and much safer.
04/30/08  02:31am


Back to Fence Lizards Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area