Mite Help - Please Read

[Bdubedub]

Sorry for another post on mites I just want to make 100% sure I can do the BEST possible thing to keep mites from re-appearing. As in my other post my wife made me get rid of my only snake due to the mites problem as she is a bug-a-phobe. So the snake is gone to someone that can treat the mite problem better then myself. I have taken all cage furnishings out.... the things that could be bleached were bleached for an hour then cleaned off. The wood items were baked for 2 hours @ 250... should I just throw those out?? I ordered some provent-a-mite but didnt realize lice spray will work just as good so im going to get some of that today and spray the cage after I clean it first. I dont plan on getting another snake for at least 4-6 weeks, will that help the problem also if they dont have a host? I know they can survive for awhile but I dont want them back for a new snake. I will buy the snake from a reputable breeder next time to be sure they are mite free... Also the snake will be treated upon arrival like it has mites just to be safe that it doesnt. What else can I do? Any suggestions?? I have a melamine enclosure with caulk on the floor of the tank with linoleum. Thanks everyone for your help!!

[Skittles1101]

There's no way to be sure they will all be killed, but if you clean and de-mite and use the proper precautions you shouldn't have a problem. I sure hope whoever you "got rid" of your snake to, you advised them of the mite situation.

[Gungirl]

I just have to ask.. so If/ when you get another snake, If it gets mites will you just get rid of that one too? I don't want to sound harsh but if you couldn't take care of this one why would you get another one.

[dr del]

Hi,

............ I ordered some provent-a-mite but didnt realize lice spray will work just as good so im going to get some of that today and spray the cage after I clean it first...........

It won't - stick with the provent-a-mite.

Provent a mite keeps working which makes it far better at eradicating them.


dr del

[Skittles1101]

I agree, and really not trying to gang up, but you definitely "got rid" of a snake that you could easily have handled the problem. Mites are probably the easiest medical issue to cure/handle with snakes, what are you going to do if it gets a RI, or gets really sick? And because you had a mite problem you just gave this one up and move on to the next? I won't disagree, you could have handled this better, even after all the great advice I witnessed other members give you just yesterday. Very disappointed...

[Bones]

I read your other thread. If you would've waited a few days for the PAM to get to you, the PAM would've totally eradicated the mites. Sounds like you did the right thing by bleaching and baking the furnishings, so you shouldn't have to throw those away.

If you've already ordered the PAM, why not just use it when it arrives? Don't bother with the lice spray. Use the PAM exactly as it says on the bottle. Also spray the exterior of the cage and the surrounding areas to kill the mites that may be there.

You say you're going to buy a snake from a reputable breeder. You do realize that snakes from a reputable breeder can have mites as well, right? Even those that take the best care of our snakes, and even the best breeders in the world have the ability to get a mite infestation. Also, if you get another snake and it doesn't have mites, it can still get them in the future. What are you going to do if the snake you've had for 10 years gets mites? Get rid of your beloved pet?

You stated that you got rid of your snake and gave him to someone that can "treat the mite problem better than yourself". Mites are among the easiest things to get rid of if the right products are used and if everything is done properly. What are you going to do if your snake gets sick? If your wife has a problem with you spending money on a $20 can of PAM to help get rid of the bugs that she hates, I'm pretty sure she's not going to be okay with a much more expensive vet bill if something else goes wrong.

I'm not trying to attack you. I'm just trying to be as logical as I can. I really don't think you should get another snake. I don't think it would be a wise decision on your part, especially since your wife apparently doesn't see the sense in you having a pet that "just lays there" and since she's a "bug-o-phobe". This is something you need to seriously think about. As much as you may want another snake, it doesn't seem as if you (or your wife) are quite prepared to handle some of the issues that may come along with them. You can't just get rid of it every time it has a problem. If that is something you plan to do, you really don't need a snake. Snakes don't deserve to be handed off to someone else just because their owner can't take care of something. They deserve forever homes, just like every other pet does.