Is there such a plant?

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Coastal-Kemp

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i was reading a thread from a few years ago about an outdoor bluey pit, and someone mentioned mites and how to prevent them getting to your lizards.

then richardsc said he grows plants they dont like but didnt say what it is. is there a plant they dont like? whats it called?

i grow plants that mites dont like in the cages,which seems to have helped,as mite infection is barely noticed now

cheers, alex
 
This is probably not the plant, but I have had a google and apparently Delphinium Flowers are used in a non-toxic reptile mite spray formula along with other plant extracts. The information said that Delphiniums were used for their known mite repelling abilities. I am still looking because I Have long used herbal/plant remedies instead of or coupled with traditional cures :)
I was wondering about, Neem trees or pyrethrum? maybe Bluetongue1 could help he is a plant guru :) I am unsure if they would be safe in an actual out door pit/enclosure?
 
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Thanks for the vote of confidence CrystalMoon but my knowledge is very limited in the rather extensive area of “medicinal uses” of plants.

The first question I would ask is what sort of mite? There are thousands of types but only a very few feed on reptiles and only the Reptile or Snake Mite Ophionyssus natricis is considered a serious problem due to its ability to spread diseases. This is an obligate reptile parasite (only feeds on reptiles) and as such can be eliminated from a collection. The only mode of transmission is bringing in an infested animal and placing it in near contact with clean animals, or carrying mites from an infested animal on clothing or equipment that is then brought in near contact with uninfested animals. As far as I am aware, it is not yet known to occur in the wild in Australia, so contact with wild reptiles through outside cages is not considered a problem. Therefore, minimum quarantine procedures for new additions, and after contact with other reptiles, are all that is required to maintain your collection free of this particular pest.

There are several species of bright red or orange coloured mite that occur on geckos, skinks and dragons. They do not appear to do much damage and do not seem to survive well in the drier conditions of captive enclosures. Covering them with Olive Oil using a cotton bud will suffocate them. They then fall off when dead – in a day or so.

Pyrethrum daisy is the most commonly used insect repellent (and for other arthropod pests). Most of the mints are also said to keep many insects at bay, such as ants. I personally think you are better off to rid your collection of any mite and plant things that look good or are edible, like some of the dwarf lomandras, strawberries, cherry tomatoes (in season), Warrigal greens (native spinach), Dianella (attractive with edible berries), ruby salt bush (edible berries) and even dandelion weeds.

Just so you know: My plant knowledge centres around species recognition and growth of smaller garden plants, making my own potting mixes for succulents, orchids, bromeliads, “indoor” house plants etc and identifying and growing native plants from seeds and cuttings. The latter alone consumed many years of my free time and we were very successful at it.

Blue
 
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Snake mites Ophionyssus matrices do occur in wild reptile populations and are very prolific in Melbournes Western suburbs. Just about every wild blue tongue carries them. They have also been found on wild Murray Darling carpets in Nth Vic.
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