Mites/Lice On Rats - Question . . .

[AmoLaZucca]

There have been numerous threads about mites/lice on rats recently, and I wonder, how do they get this?  

I ALWAYS make sure that bedding we buy is sealed, and our girls do not go outside.  Aside from the bettas, we have no other pets - but are there other ways the ratties can get these bugs?  

Now I find that I'm getting a phobia about my babies getting them!   Should it be a concern?  

Humans cannot get them, am I correct?  Thanks in advance!

[WhiteWolf]

I am sure that humans can get lice and pass them to eachother I think it is the same deal with pets, if one gets mites all of them do . it isnt somthing you can avoid. I think maybe that different greesy food and bathing your pets too much may cause mites, also ear infections and maybe the carpet??? I am not sure but could happen, we dont have any carpet in our house but we DO have alot of other pets one includes an outside cat, I tought my rats had mites but it turns out just to be buck grees.

good luck finding info on this topic, I would sure lo=ve tohear some.

maybe try going to www.google.ca and look up rats with mites ect... good luck ..

[wolfsoul]

Even though a bag is sealed, it does not mean that there aren't any mites. Mites can live for a very long time in sealed packages. That's why I always leave my shavings in the freezer overnight before using them.

I'd imagine that they'd come from other pets in the household that make it outside, like a dog, or a cat, or the even the owner. (Yes, humans can get lice, although I'm not sure about mites. My cat had fleas when I was about 10 and then I got them. It was not fun. )

My rats probably have a higher risk of getting parasites than most. I have dogs, cats, and they go for walks outside.

[ckhs]

I believe that the rats and other animals always carry mites and they only become a problem when the immune system is comprimised. They can also get them from bedding, woods and various other things. I always freeze my bedding before use.

[Ensie]

As far as Debbies book goes, there is only one kind of mite that infests both rats and humans. All other mites are species specific: the mites "feed" on rats. The problem is that these rat-specific mites can hitch a ride in bedding, food, on clothing, etc. This is why a change of clothes and a shower are such a good idea after going anywhere that has other animals/rats: pet stores, the vet's office, friends' houses, etc. The mites can be avoided somewhat by freezing bedding and food. I do this, putting only enough food and bedding that I need for the next cage cleaning/food refill session. It works very well.

[flambled]

I read somewhere that lice on rats do not spread to anything other than another rat.  My girls had live and I haven't got them and niether have my other critters (mice, g.pig, dog, ect...)

Belinda

My ladies got lice after I used some bedding I had open at the house for a WHILE.  From now on I plan to store my bedding in the freezer.

[AmoLaZucca]

I read somewhere that lice on rats do not spread to anything other than another rat.

OH I HOPE!    I know my girls don't have it, but I am concerned they could get it from the bedding.  I can't freeze bedding, because I do not have a deep freezer and our fridge freezer is always full.  Is there a specific type of bedding that is more risky, or will mites/lice live in all kinds of litter?  

[flambled]

http://www.rmca.org/Articles/bugs.htm

Lice are nice  .  The link is where I read that.

[kmw]

I read somewhere that lice on rats do not spread to anything other than another rat.

OH I HOPE!    I know my girls don't have it, but I am concerned they could get it from the bedding.  I can't freeze bedding, because I do not have a deep freezer and our fridge freezer is always full.  Is there a specific type of bedding that is more risky, or will mites/lice live in all kinds of litter?  

I don't believe lice can live very long without a host.  So, they don't just hang out for weeks in bedding, hoping for a rat to come along.  I've seen it theorized that ALL rats have lice and mites, but they're kept in check by a normal immune system.  If the rat becomes stressed, they can "flare up" - a lot like myco operates.  I've dealt with a lice outbreak once, mites once as well.  I've always assumed they came in on the bedding.  

And, lice are species specific.  Rat lice like rats, not humans or dogs or cats.  

[ckhs]

Yep, while doing alot of research into the mite issue i found that  it is believed mites can only live 2 to 3 weeks without a host.

[DebW]

I've had a small outbreak of fur mites ( thought they were tropical, but I was wrong - thank heavens).  Mine were  probably passed from a foster rat to my others.  I use cloth bedding that I change daily, so it didn't come in the bedding.

 I got one itchy new guy about a month and a half ago.  He was quarantined at a different residence and treated with Ivermectin, but I don't believe I got them all or I passed them on by way of clothing.

Now everyone has been treated with Frontline (which helps break the cycle by working for a month).  I'm not finding any evidence of live mites on rats when I check under the microscope now.  In fact, I'm only finding dead ones and the scabs on the rats that were affected have  cleared up.

[longtang]

I also observed some lice on my rattie babies.  I am thinking about getting front-line.  So far, I have been spraying something called Provent which is used for killing mites on reptiles and which also works for one month.  But I think front-line would be more effective.

These lice came from new pups that I just bought.  They were pups about two weeks ago and have been surrogate nursed by my rattie mommy.  

I saw these lice.  They were scurrying about on the fur.  They are little red tinged tear drop shaped looking things.

[DebW]

These lice came from new pups that I just bought.  They were pups about two weeks ago and have been surrogate nursed by my rattie mommy.  

I saw these lice.  They were scurrying about on the fur.  They are little red tinged tear drop shaped looking things.

They sound like the standard variety rat lice. They're species specific, but sometimes will take a short ride on clothing to other cages.  They're one of the easier "bugs"
to get rid of.

I'm not an expert on treating babies, but be careful.  Maybe someone here can offer advice on treating very young rats.   I've always just treated adults and have been using cat and kitten Frontline. (1 drop between shoulder blades).  I definately know that sprays aren't a good idea, because rats like to groom and can ingest it.

[TheChicagoCrew]

You are right DebW....sprays are not recommended. Especially sprays meant for REPTILE MITES. Reptile mites and rat mites are completely different. Reptiles do not groom themselves like rats do. Your rat babies are ingesting this spray and I highly suggest you stop using it and get something that is safe for your rats. How old are these babies?

-Melina

[ckhs]

I also observed some lice on my rattie babies.  I am thinking about getting front-line.  So far, I have been spraying something called Provent which is used for killing mites on reptiles and which also works for one month.  But I think front-line would be more effective.

These lice came from new pups that I just bought.  They were pups about two weeks ago and have been surrogate nursed by my rattie mommy.  

I saw these lice.  They were scurrying about on the fur.  They are little red tinged tear drop shaped looking things.

[scout]

I'm not finding any evidence of live mites on rats when I check under the microscope now.  

Spoken like a true science teacher! I want to visit you, Deb, and see all the cool science stuff in your classroom and your home!

About mites - rats have their own versions and, yes, people have a version of their own too. Sarcoptes scabieis (I think that's how it's spelled). Also more commonly known as scabies. Treatment is by prescription only - a lotion that you put on your entire body, then wash off 8 hours later. Don't ask how I know this, you don't want to know...