Red-eared slider mating prevention?

Is there any way that I can get my turtles to not mate. We have one male and one female, and we've had them for about 4 years. They are probably more like 4 and half years old because we got them when they were small. The male has decided that he wants to mate with the female recently. I'm concerned because we barely have enough to keep them taken care of, and I'm not about ready to have 10 more to take care of. I've read that if they don't have a place to lay eggs, they will not be laid and may harm the female soon after. I'm not sure if she's carrying eggs, because today was the first day that I've actually seen them in mating position. I've noticed that her back skin is a little bit red, and I'm worried that she is carrying eggs.


Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you muchly,


Matt

Red-eared slider mating prevention?
mating season is around fall- winter. Keep the light on as if it were summer( long days, short nights), If she does lay eggs, you don't have to incubate them, just throw them away. You can feel GENTLY between her rear leg and shell for eggs. you must create a nesting spot or else she can become egg bound and die a painful death. Trust me, i had the same thing happen, she has yet to lay her full clutch for me, and I may have to take her to the vet. Oh... if you're unsure, you can always go to your vet and get x-rays on her, them you are certan she is, or isn't, carrying a clutch of eggs. Remember, females can still lay eggs, even if a male isn't present, they will just be infertile.
Reply:well, if the female is carrying eggs, you should let her lay them. when they hatch, you could just give some of the hatchlings away. if the female isn't carrying eggs yet, you should seperate the two as much as you can. i don't know if there is a mating season or anything like that.

inch plant