My Rat Has Lice or Mites: How Do I Get Rid of Them? (Mites on Rats Home Remedy)
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Lice and mites are hard to get rid of when they infest pet rats. This is especially true when you are not equipped with the proper medications. Both lice and mites can become immune to chemical or medicinal treatments, requiring a change in formula when drug resistant specimens are found on furred rats. External parasites on rats can become a massive problem in homes with several ratties. To better understand the difference between rat specific mites and lice, we’ll give you a small overview. This video will show you exactly what a LICE INFESTATION looks like; if this is not what you’re seeing, keep reading for more information on diagnostics; if this IS what you’re seeing, we’ll tell you how to treat them!
Mites on Rats: What are Rat Mites?
Killing rat mites can be a hard process. Revolution and Ivermectin are commonly used, with the first being most effective. Scabs, small white, orange, or red bugs, and excessive itching could mean your rat has a mite infestation.
Mites are small external parasites that belong to the Arachnid family. You’re going to need products like this Ivermectin to treat them. They may appear red or orange in color, which is a sign that they have been feeding on the skin or blood of the rat previously. They are capable of living in bedding and food, making it easy to obtain a mite infestation from everyday rat supplies purchased online or in stores. Another indicator of mites is the appearance of small scabs on the body accompanied with hair loss; and no, this is not mange, as it is very rare to see rats infested with mange causing mites. They CAN cross species, meaning the lice could bite and feed on humans. However, they cannot reproduce on humans or produce an infestation on human skin.
What Are Rat Lice?
Male human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis.
Lice are species specific external parasites, meaning that each species of lice generally only uses one species as a host. They cannot feed on or infest animals outside of their host species. Silver nits on the hair follicles of the rat or tiny cigar-shaped yellow or tan bugs point towards a lice infestation that must be remedied immediately. Left infested, the rat can ultimately succumb to anemia and die; lice can and will drain a rat of blood.
Mites on Rats Home Remedy: Treating Rats with Revolution or Ivermectin for Lice and Mites
Revolution and Ivermectin have both been common medications for treating external parasites on rats. Since pet shop rats, rescue rats, and animals from ill kept homes can all bring both of these pests into another home, it is wise to treat every rat on a regular basis. This Ivermectin can be purchased on Amazon or in 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.
Ivermectin has become less common in the treatment of mites, as they have developed a significant resistance to this treatment in regional areas. However, it’s great to try before heading to a vet. Many owners are turning to Revolution, which is a flea and tick preventative that comes in a tube and is only available with a veterinary prescription. It is commonly used on dogs, squeezed between the shoulders. Rats must have very small doses to avoid poisoning the animals.
Revolution Dosages In Pet Rats: Lice & Mite Treatment |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Home Bathing, All Natural Remedies for Killing Mites and Lice
There are a few different natural remedies for lice and mites, which tend to be safer than chemical or medicinal treatments. They are useful for sick, elderly, and sensitive rats. In addition, the treatment regimen might be hard to stick to. It can be time consuming and drawn out, but it is wonderful to be able to treat rats with safer methods!
Firstly, you can coat the animal in oil to suffocate the living mites and lice. Try using vegetable oil or other rat safe oils. After five minutes, gently wash the rat with non concentrated Dawn dish detergent twice. This will get rid of excess oil, dead bugs, dirt, 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 continue- up to 8 weeks.
Sanitize the cage and toys with a bleach solution; then, dust all trafficked areas with diatamaceous earth. Use food grade. These fossilized, ground sea shells are capable of slicing and dicing the parasites and their eggs, but are completely harmless for rats. As a matter of fact, ingestion can eliminate internal parasites while supplying trace minerals and nutrients, such as Silica!
Avoiding Re-infestation of Rats Through Food, Bedding, and Cages
One of the biggest nightmares of rat parasite infestations is when they are eliminated but continue to come back. When treating for an infestation, you need to secure clean, fresh bedding and food. Try freezing all food and bedding inside of 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 bleach and water 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!
