mites in aquarium

[houseofnod]

i was wondering has anyone tried to use two aquariums when treating for mites? i would like to use one aquarium to house gerbils and keep the other in the freezer for a week and then switch out until i have conquered the mite infestation. i am also soaking gerbil aquarium eqipment in hot water with a few drops of tea tree oil--good or bad? suggestions? comments? need to know soon as I'll have to buy an aquarium or a bin tonight.

thanks

[Ritzie/Admin]

I have never had mites, so I have never tried it. Using the two aquaria could work, however, have you already tried to just sterilize the aquarium that you already have with chlorine, etc. And also the items. And treated the gerbils. It can also work, without the need to but another aquarium.

Also check or replace the food and bedding (also the ones you have stored.) And your other pets, especially if you have birds.

I don't know nothing about tree oil, but I gues it cannot combat mites.

Also a thread on mites and treatment:
gerbilforum.proboards21.com/index.cgi?board=health&action=display&thread=1122502823

[loneranger17]

We had a mite infestation once....and it was very difficult to get rid of. At the time, the gerbils were kept upstairs in a play room. We tried everything to get rid of them but they wouldn't go away. Little red mites. Eventually, we move the cage downstairs away from that room and they eventually went away and haven't come back. Maybe a change of scenery would help out?

[meganb52]

Mites are usually something that needs to be treated both with medication and husbandry changes. You can go to your vet and they will be able to give you anti-paraciticide powder to dust your gerbil with, or they will give you a drug called Ivermectin either as a shot or as a liquid to ad to their water. My preferance out of all these is Ivermectin in shot or water form. In addition to that, you'll have to be very vigelant about keeping their cage and accessories clean. You will need to clean everything thoroughly with hot soapy water or water with bleach. Make sure you ventilate the area well if you use bleach and let eveything dry completely before putting gerbils back in. If you've kept your gerbils in a Kritter carrier or other small cage that you plan on re-using, you'll need to clean that thoroughly in the same manner before using it again. Freezing may help, but getting the infestation under control on your gerbils and in their environment are going to be your most important steps to breaking the life cycle of the mite. Frequent cage cleanings and medications are your best bet to get over this quickly, and your veterinarian should be able to help you out. There are doses for treatign gerbils with Ivermectin in Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, which every veterinarian should have a copoy of, so even if they only treat dogs and cats, they should hopefully be able to dispense medication for you. Hope all this info helps. Good luck!

-Megan