Mites and lice on pet rats are hard to get rid of. Even harder when you lack the appropriate tool or medications.
Both mites and lice can become immune to medicinal or chemical treatments, requiring a change in the formula when drug-resistant specimens are present on furred rats.
A mice and lice infestation breakout in a home with many ratties is a bog problem. In this article, we’d tell you how to treat them!
Mites on Rats: What are Rat Mites?
Ivermectin for rat mites and revolution are typically used, with the first being more effective. Red bugs, orange, scabs, small white, and excessive itching could mean your rat/mice have a mite infestation.
Since mites are small external parasites of the Arachnid family, you will need products like this Ivermectin to treat them.
They may appear orange or red in color – that is a clear sign that they have been feeding on the blood or skin of the rat previously.
They are capable of living in food and bedding, making it simple to obtain a mite infestation from everyday rat supplies bought in stores or online.
Another sign of mites infestation on rats is small scabs on the body followed by hair loss; and no, this is not a mage, as it is super rare to see rats infested with mange-causing mites.
They CAN cross-species, meaning the lice could bite and feed on humans and cause severe itching and irritation. However, they cannot reproduce on humans or produce an infestation on human skin.
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What Are Rat Lice?
Lice are external parasites that are species-specific, meaning that each species of lice typically uses one species as a host. They cannot infest or feed animals outside of their host species.
Tan bugs, tiny cigar-shaped yellow bugs, or silver nits on the hair follicles of the rat are RED FLAGS you’ve got lice infestation.
Not to worry, these can be REMEDIED IMMEDIATELY. If left infested, the rat will eventually succumb to anemia and die; lice can and will drain a rat of blood.
Mites on Rats Home Remedy with Revolution or Ivermectin
Ivermectin and revolution have always been recommended medications for treating external parasites on rats and have both proven to be the best home remedies for mites on mice and rats.
Since rescue rats, shop rats, and animals from ill-kept homes can all bring both of these pests into your home, it is wise to administer pet mouse mite treatment regularly.
This Ivermectin can be purchased on Amazon or in pet and farm stores; you can see on the product page linked above that many people have used it on their rats in the reviews with success.
Now, Ivermectin for rats lice and mites treatment has been less common, as they have developed a good resistance level to this treatment in regional areas.
But, it’s worth a shot before going to see your vet. A lot of owners are turning to Revolution, which is a tick and flea preventative that is contained in a tube and is only available for purchase with a veterinary prescription.
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It is mostly used on canines, squeezed between the shoulders.
Extremely small doses should be used on rats to avoid poisoning the animals.
Revolution Dosages In Pet Rats: Mite & Lice Treatment | ||||
| Tube Color | Pet Weight | Concentration | Amount of Product | Dosage for Rat |
| Mauve | <5 lb | 60 mg/ml | 15 | 0.1 ml/lb |
| Blue (Feline) | 5.1 lb to 15 lb | 60 mg/ml | 45 | 0.1 ml/lb |
| Purple | 5.1 lb to 10 lb | 120 mg/ml | 30 | 0.05 ml/lb |
| Brown | 10.1 lb to 20 lb | 120 mg/ml | 60 | 0.05 ml/lb |
| Red | 20.1 lb to 40 lb | 120 mg/ml | 120 | 0.05 ml/lb |
| Teal | 40.1 lb to 85 lb | 120 mg/ml | 240 | 0.05 ml/lb |
| Plum | 85.1 lb to 130 lb | 120 mg/ml | 120 + 240 | 0.05 ml/lb |
There are a good number of natural remedies for mites and lice on pet mice, which tend to be safer than medicinal and chemical treatments. They are useful for sensitive, elderly, and sick rats. The con is that it takes a longer time to work and its treatment regimen might be hard to stick to.
Animal Oil
Firstly, you can coat the animal in oil to suffocate the living lice and mites. Try using vegetable oil or other oils safe for rats.
Many use olive oil for rat mites and it works! After use, wait 5 minutes then gently wash the rat with non-concentrated Dawn dish detergent twice. This will get rid of excess oil, dirt, dead bugs, and parasite droppings.
It will also clean and flush any wounds from the infestation. Repeat this every week as the life cycle of the parasites continues- up to 8 weeks.
Proper Sanitation
Sanitize the toys and cage with a bleach solution; then, dust all trafficked areas with diatomaceous earth. Use food grade.
These fossilized, ground seashells are capable of slicing and dicing the parasites and their eggs, but are completely harmless for rats. As a matter of fact, ingestion can rid your pet mouse of internal parasites while supplying trace minerals and nutrients, such as Silica!
ALSO SEE: Wheezing Rats Home Remedies
How to Avoid re-infestation of Rats Through Bedding, Food, and Cages
A rat mite and lice re-infestation after being previously eliminated is the nightmare of every pet rat owner.
When treating a pen, or enclosure for an infestation, you need to secure clean, fresh food and bedding.
Try freezing all bedding and food in a freezer for 24 hours before using them with your rats.
Freezing all new purchases will help to kill any bugs that might be hitching a ride, waiting to infest your pets.
A water and bleach solution is recommended for all used items, as well.
Rats can be driven absolutely crazy with these fur parasites, as can the owner when it comes time to treat them!
Can Rat Mites Live on Humans?
No! Mites cannot live on humans or survive indoors, nor are they known to transmit disease to humans. However, mite bites are painful and lead to skin itching and irritation.
Their major patients are RODENT AND BIRDS!
Try our mites on rats home remedy and let us know if it worked for you! See You Soon!
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