PEST STRIP ??? ??? ???

[Brandon]

??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Hey there guys.
i have just read Jeff's post on the Instant Lesson about MItes.
here in SA, very few people use that pest strip because so many guys have lost their snakes due the fumes from the pest strip being way too strong.

firstly...maybe we got a different one here.
is it the same yellow looking strip that is very sticky???

also, if u use that stuff in the boas tank....is the fumes not too strong for the boa...or do u have to dilute it somehow???

also....can u leave the pest strip in the tank all the time???

do u need to put in extra ventilation when using the pest strip or is the tanks ventilation sufficient???

please guys, any info would be great because mite treatment here is very very very expensive.
luckily i have not yet had mites, but when they do i dont wanna be spending fortune to treat it if there is an easier cheaper way.....but if this expensive dip that we have here is the best, then i will stick to that....but any info from u guys wouls be really appreciated.
thanks a mill.

[LukeUK]

Hi in the UK we cant get provent a mite, I tried every natrual way to get rid of mites and it worked for about a week, in the end I used a pest strip called Vapona small space fly and moth killer, you have to be carfull and work out the exact size of the peice of vapona you use for your enclosure, you can work it out, it says how many cubic meters the whole strip will treat on the back, cut the size you need and make sure you put it in either a container with holes or a net bag folded 5 or so times back on itself, the snake must not come into contact with it, you then leave it in the enclosure for 7 days, in this time the enclosure must not have any water in it as it absorbs the fumes, and if the snakes drink thay will be poisend, not good, also the enclosure must be kept dryer, humidity absorbs all the pest strip fumes in a day, you want to do it right first time as you dont want to exesivly expose your snakes, if you do it right thay should be ok. I have only herd of ill effects becouse of exxessive exposure, too much strip used for the space, or direct contact with the strip, direct contact is worse, I have heard of snakes dying in like 5 mins from touching it. However if you can get rid of them natrualy then that is the best way, always try it first, im sure pest strip aint good for boas, wish I could get provent a mite in the UK it would make life so much simpler.

[LukeUK]

www.boa-constrictors.com here you will find a lot of usefull info in the captive husbandry section, hope ive been of some help.

[Brandon]

;D
thanks for the reply luke.
and yes u have been a great help.
thanks a mill.
i will be sure to give it a try if ever i do get mites.