Pest strips.pdf

PEST STRIPS™ ARE FOR TREATING FOR SNAKE MITES ONLY. NOT FOR USE WITH LIZARDS! CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED WHEN USING PEST STRIPS™. USE IN WELL VENTILATED AREA.
WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY WHEN FINISHED.
It is inevitable from time to time that you will encounter acariasis, more commonly known as a snake mite infestation. No matter how many snakes arein your collection or how immaculate you keep them, chances are you and your snake will become victims. Sometimes the source of an infestationappears to be a mystery. Snake mites (Ophionyssus natricis) are tiny external parasites which look almost identical to poppy seeds. This will morethan likely be noticed most in the water bowl. Snakes will soak in the water bowl to relieve the irritation of the mites, which attach themselves underthe scales. If left untreated, mites will irritate the snake to the point where the snake will not feed and will eventually become dehydrated and not beable to properly shed it’s skin. Snake mites can also transmit pneumonia and mouth rot. In any case, your snake could die. Follow the directions belowclosely. Using the entire strip or letting you snake come in contact with the Pest Strip™ could prove fatal to your snake.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED* Pest Strip™* Disposable gloves* Scissors* Shallow deli cups & lids (sm margarine tubs work well)* Hole punch* Tape* Ophthalmic ointment (such as Terramycin)* 2 clean plastic trash bins with ventilated lids.
* Spray bottle* Chlorine bleach If you find an infestation, the first thing to do is to remove the snake(s) from the enclosure and place them in one of the trash bins with roomtemperature water. The amount of water is important. The water level should be no higher than one inch above the snake’s body height. This willallow the snake to rest its head on its coils and prevent accidental drowning. Place the lid on the bin secure enough to prevent escape. Thisprocedure will allow the snake to drink as well as removing any visible mites. Leave snake in trash bin for two hours minimum. If snake(s) shoulddefecate in water, immediately replace with clean water.
Mites will lay eggs anywhere. So next you will need to remove all furniture in the enclosure and thoroughly clean them. This includes branches,vines, water bowls, astroturf, etc . , these items will go in the second bin with 95% water, 5% chlorine bleach. Immerse completely and soak for 1hour. Throw away any newspaper, gravel, etc., essentially all substrate used.
The enclosure will now need disinfecting. Fill the spray bottle with 95% water and 5% bleach. Spray the entire enclosure. Let stand 10-15 minutes.
Rinse it with clean water until the smell of bleach is gone, then wipe dry with a clean towel. Remove the cage furniture from the water/bleachsolution, rinse clean and dry. (Sun drying works best. UV light also helps kill germs). Line the bottom of the enclosure with fresh newspaper andreturn the cage furniture.
CAUTION: THE WATER BOWL SHOULD NOT BE RETURNED TO THE CAGE WITH THE PEST STRIP. THE WATER MAYBECOME CONTAMINATED AND COULD HARM YOUR ANIMAL IF ALLOWED TO DRINK IT.
Now you will need to prepare the Pest Strip™. Put on the disposable gloves. Remove strip from box. Open the foil wrapper with the scissors. Cut aone inch square piece per 15 gallons of enclosure. (i.e., 2 inch square/30 gallon, 3 inch square/45 gallon etc.) With hole punch, place 6 holes in theside of deli cup, insert strip and secure lid. Tape lid down to prevent accidental opening of container.
Next, remove snake(s) from trash bin and dry thoroughly. Coat the eyes completely with the Terramycin™ ophthalmic ointment. This will suffocateany mites which may have gotten inside the eye socket. Place snake(s) back in enclosure with Pest Strip™ container. Leave Pest Strip™ in for atleast 24 hours but no more than 36 hours. The snake(s) should be soaked in clean water every 12 hours to allow rehydration. Dry off snake(s)completely before returning to enclosure. Repeat entire process in 6 days. This will ensure killing any mites which may have hatched after treatmentas Pest Strip™ might not be effective on every mite egg.
AGAIN, REMEMBER, DO NOT LEAVE WATER BOWL IN ENCLOSURE WHILE PEST STRIP IS BEING USED Once treatment is finished, place the container of Pest Strip™ in an air tight bag and keep in safe place away from children. Be sure to wash handswell. This information sheet is meant to be a guideline only.
California Zoological Supply assumes no responsibility in cases of sickness, injury, or death in animal(s) and/or person(s) as a result of misuse of Pest Strip™ or any above mentioned objects, medication or processes.
Warning: This product and/or it's breakdown products contain a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects or otherreproductive harm. Please read and follow label instructions. This warning complies with California proposition 65 (California health and safety codesection 25249.6).
This sheet may be copied in its entirety only.

Source: http://calzoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/peststrips3.pdf