Vet Q & AHow do I get rid of reptile mites and clean their habitat properly?
You must treat both the environment and the pet. You can try some over the counter products but many can be ineffective if the environment is not treated concurrently.
Ivermectin can be dispensed by your veterinarian to use systemically or topically. Do not treat with ivermectin without the advice of your veterinarian as it is quite easy to overdose.
A 30 minute soak in a diluted Betadine bath can remove most mites and may soothe irritated skin.
Remove the substrate, bag it and take it outdoors. Clean and sanitize the cage, bowls and tank furniture. You can use hot, soapy water followed by a 1:30 dilution of bleach and water followed by a thorough rinsing on the tank, bowls and non porous surfaces. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. You may need to clean and sanitize the enclosure weekly for several weeks. The pet may need multiple treatments as well.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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