How Do Fleas Affect Reptiles?
WouterIf you’re worried that your pet’s fleas might be infesting your home, consider this: fleas are incredibly common. These tiny, white bugs can be found on humans, dogs, and other animals. While they’re not aggressive, they can still transmit diseases. In fact, some species of fleas are even known to transmit plague and murine typhus. Adult fleas lay eggs in animal bedding. These little creatures have an impervious shell that makes them difficult to control. Live animals that come into contact with the eggs will also be affected by fleas.
Although reptiles are not susceptible to fleas, they can be susceptible to mite infestations. These tiny insects feed on the blood of their hosts, which means they can cause serious health problems. Infestations can cause anemia, weight loss, and even death. Therefore, it’s important to visit your vet if you suspect that your lizard has a mite problem.
Fortunately, there are several different products available to help repel or kill fleas. Pyrethroids, for example, are synthetic versions of the natural chemical pyrethrin. This chemical is found in plants, and it has a longer residual effect, which means that it kills fleas much faster. You should also consider using a patented formula called Provent-a-Mite. This solution contains 0.5% permethrin.
Pesticides may be dangerous to reptiles, so you should seek a veterinarian’s advice before using any kind of treatment. You can also try soaking your reptile in lukewarm water for 20 minutes. This will kill any mites that are on its body but not the head. You can also apply olive oil to the animal’s skin to smother the mites. However, olive oil is messy, so you should keep this in mind before using it.
