Soaking

[justinsane82]

So I went out tonight to check on the humidity of one of my snakes tanks (I'm having a hell of a time keeping his up) and when I came out his humidity was down to 35 and he was soaking. I've never seen him soak before so I don't think it's mites, but I looked over his skin and in the water for them and couldn't see anything of concern. Anyways, could the soaking be him telling me that he's too damn dry and to get my act together? It's been about a month and a bit since his last shed so I would assume that's coming up too.

I'm rather paranoid of mites which is why I'm either bothering with a post like this.

[j_h_smith]

Mites are usually brought into your house from another snake. They do not live on mammals, so they are species specific. Your snake is soaking because of the humidity level. It could be in pre-shed and needs the added moisture to aid in the shed.

I wouldn't be worried about mites unless you've brought in a new snake in the past month or so.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[justinsane82]

Mites are usually brought into your house from another snake. They do not live on mammals, so they are species specific. Your snake is soaking because of the humidity level. It could be in pre-shed and needs the added moisture to aid in the shed.

I wouldn't be worried about mites unless you've brought in a new snake in the past month or so.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

I brought in a new baby boa a few weeks ago but has been no where near this fella here. I'm wondering too if it could be because I had a heat lamp right over his cold side hide which is a plastic bowl. Not really sure what I was thinking there. I've since replaced the tin foil top and moved the lamp to the middle, right over the water dish which in itself might help with the humidity.

[tizzle89]

I brought in a new baby boa a few weeks ago but has been no where near this fella here. I'm wondering too if it could be because I had a heat lamp right over his cold side hide which is a plastic bowl. Not really sure what I was thinking there. I've since replaced the tin foil top and moved the lamp to the middle, right over the water dish which in itself might help with the humidity.

sphagnum moss is really good to use for added humidity. to keep it clean and nder control i put it in a plastic bowl and put it under the light.. when humidity is fine or gets to high remove the moss

try covering the entire top with tinfoil just leave a 1 inch gap in the middle for airflow this should take care of the humidity issue.. if it doesnt turn off ur hotter light for a bit n let the humidity rize?

[justinsane82]

Well, I woke up this morning and he was still soaking. I took him out and saw nothing. No mites in the water. I put him in the tub to be fed and as he's going away on the mouse, I see a damn mite on his back...well I think it was. Black with a white spec on the back?

I've now spent all day running around trying to find the stuff I need to kill the mites and then cleaning out the cages of all the crap I have in there.

Question though, how long until I'm able to put the fake plants and stuff back in. I've had them sit in hot water for an hour and let dry. Should I give it another go at that and then spray them down and put them back?

[Sarin]

Aw that stinks.. I hate mites!!

Best way to get rid of them is to treat all your tubs/tanks with PAM (Provent a Mite). If you're unable to get that the only other thing that MAY work is Mite Off.. It takes forever but it works eventually. (From experience)

I'd switch everyone to paper towels and hides without places the Mites can hide in.. Take out all foilage and leave it out until the mites are 100% gone.

Good luck.. Mites are not a fun thing to have.

[justinsane82]

Ya that's what I've done. I'll never use eco earth again. I've read some bad stuff in the last 24 hours in regards to mites hiding in there. Anyways, how long does it take to know that everything is good and the mites are dead and gone?

[Sarin]

Well if I remember correctly their cycle is 30 days? So if you do not see any mites left, still treat for at least 30 more days. After that month you should be fine.