Mites...OMG...We'll Never Go Through This Again

[mrmertz]

Just have to vent a bit!

Long story short, our vet discovered mites on our latest critter Snippy, our blood python upon a check up not relating to mites at all. As soon as I heard that word I slumped in the chair. He shipped with them. The wife at that point didn't realize the amount of work ahead of us. Set-up break downs, sterlizing, blah, blah, blah.

After a preliminary check of the five boys, only Biggs (Colombian Boa) also showed some signs of infestation. So we took steps as if they all had them at that point. After two evenings of working late into the night (and that's just 5 snakes - I feel for people who have armloads of 'em!) they are all safe and sound back in their enclosures. But what a job. We are MUCH more mite aware now but what a way to learn. Hearing about on the forums is one thing but actually have to go through it is quite another.

Three words people - Provent-A-Mite.

I know it has been mentioned and hammered away at enough already but after seeing the initial results we are sleeping fine at night. We took Biggs out of his holding tub and I found at least 7 or so mites on the white paper towels - all dead. (We followed our vets aggressive plan of attack - to be discussed later if anybody cares to know).

So our hearts go out to those with large collections and here the prognosis - mites! Ugh. What an ordeal. this won't happen again.

[Vypyrz]

Three words people - Provent-A-Mite.

Glad you got them under control. I only had mites once and the PAM worked so well that I just kept using on all of the enclosures once a month to keep them away...

[mrmertz]

Glad you got them under control. I only had mites once and the PAM worked so well that I just kept using on all of the enclosures once a month to keep them away...

Bingo! That's exactly our game plan now. Prevention. I'm ordering another can of PAM direct from Pro. Doesn't take much either. I saw a video of a guy on YouTube using it and I swear he used about half a can on what looked like a 20 gallon enlosure!

Vypyrz...did you see my post regarding you avatar? It's around here somewhere. Also love the sig. How true.

[Vypyrz]

Bingo! That's exactly our game plan now. Prevention. I'm ordering another can of PAM direct from Pro. Doesn't take much either. I saw a video of a guy on YouTube using it and I swear he used about half a can on what looked like a 20 gallon enlosure!

Vypyrz...did you see my post regarding you avatar? It's around here somewhere. Also love the sig. How true.

I may have missed your comment.

The guy on YouTube must not have read the directions. It doesn't take that much. My average for 1 can is I can treat 4 enclosures, once a month, for about 5-6 months...


Rob

[rabernet]

I may have missed your comment.

The guy on YouTube must not have read the directions. It doesn't take that much. My average for 1 can is I can treat 4 enclosures, once a month, for about 5-6 months...


Rob

I'll raise your 4 enclosures to 20+ enclosures for the same amount of time! It really does take a small amount to be effective!

I think a can of P.A.M. should be in every herper's essential supplies.

[mechnut450]

man I feel your pain but I have 23 snakes (now) I only had 16 or so when I got the second case of mites that came in on some reptile supplies or something cause the buggers were every were in the trailer. The PAM works great and I gottt access to something stronger and done the entire trailer in it . This stuff was ment to drop flies in resturants all day long. I covered mom's fish, placed al lthe cats outside (Were I wish they stay) put the rodents outside and blocked the reptile room off and fogged the entire trailer so much we had even spiders running out from under the trailer as they died) I had protected the repiles by setting up a window fan to push air in ( which allowed it to seep under the trailer ).. I told mom be ready ot buy a new trailer casue I be setting off a case ( or 4) of roach bombs if i ever saw one .

[mrmertz]

The Pro site reccommends only a 1 second blast per square foot of area. The guy in the vid probably went 200 to 300 times above that limit.

I just ordered to more cans, given a 7 year shelf life. In 30 days their enclosures all get one more dose - just to be safe.

Ugh...23 snakes. We have our hands full with just 5!

[mrmertz]

I'll raise your 4 enclosures to 20+ enclosures for the same amount of time! It really does take a small amount to be effective!

I think a can of P.A.M. should be in every herper's essential supplies.

Definately! And they have dropped the price to about $15.00/can but like it has been said, a little goes a long way. Very potent stuff. if anybody is interested in learning more about mites;

http://www.vpi.com/publications/the_...of_snake_mites

and for Provent-A-Mite

http://www.pro-products.com/

I'm not associatted with Pro-Products, but I'll tell you from experience that stuff is the best bar none. Even our vet said not to bother with anything but PAM. Later guys and gals!

[irishanaconda]

i have used pam 1 other time before, and this is what happens when u use too much. now im not really sure why this was the only snake out of 18 that were treated that acted this way but it sure scared the crap out of me.
YouTube - dont use too much prevent a mite
no i didnt use a whole can, but i did put more in this tub in paticular but not much. it really doesnt take much and all of my snakes are doing fine and this one in paticular is doing great and just ate last night.

[mrmertz]

Poor guy.

Did you let it dry (I do minimum 15 minutes) and air well then (I wait 30 minutes with total air circulation)? I know once it is dry it is harmless to 'em, but if they get a whiff into their lungs watch out.

Glad he/she is doing better irish.