Help! I think I have mites

[Kinra]

I have a ball python that has been spending a lot of time in his water dish. I've read that this is a sign he has mites. I don't see any on him when I look, and there is something at the bottom of the water dish, but that looks more like the aspen bedding (I didn't get a good batch, it's super dusty and there are lots of little pieces). I'd feel better assuming he has mites and just treating it. Any suggestions for the best way to get rid of mites?

Many thanks!

[Mft62485]

Could also mean it's too hot.

[Kinra]

Could also mean it's too hot.

It could be that, but I don't think so. The cool side is at about 79 and the hot side is at about 88-89. Also, my snakes are setup in a rack and he's the only one sitting in the water dish. :/

[Homegrownscales]

Or he's going into a shed

[jjmitchell]

Look for little black specs... Check heat pits, belly scales, run your hand down the body and see if any come off you. Treat your bedding with equate or walgreens bedding spray (treats lice) same ingredients as provent a mite just less expensive... If you can get it I like using natures chemistry mite treatment to soak my snakes (diluted with water of course) In general mites are a pain in the butt to get rid of... I treat animals with mites every 5 days for a while.. Working at a reptile breeding facility that also imports animals I spray the floor of my room (hatchlings and ball pythons) with 1 ounce of 12% permethrin diluted with a gallon of water once a week just as a preventative (importing we get stuff with mites its going to happen but this keeps them out of my stuff.