Mites

[Julie]

Help please my royal (Cinder) haas just started soaking in her water bowl last night and i noticed little black dots in her water. Got her out today for first handling and found that she has mites. How do i get rid of them . Any advice greatfully received. I have had a corn snake for the last 2 years and she has never had mites. I only got my Royal 2 weeks ago. xx

[treeboa]

It looks like you have a few spray on remedies in the UK. Reptile Relief/Spray is, also, available here in the state and is effective. I found a product that has the same active ingredient (Permethrin) as our Provent a Mite that should be effective called Net Tex Mite Kill Spray. I, also, found a product called Reptile Callington Mite Spray. I am not familiar with the active ingredient so I can't comment on it. It did get good reviews on Amazon. Just follow the directions on the can/bottle. You'll need to take your snakes out (yes, I would treat both), let them soak in water, clean the cage, freeze or throw out any wooden cage furniture, treat the cage according to the directions, Then follow the directions on what to do with the snake afterward. Reptile Spray can be used directly on the snakes before putting them back. I wouldn't do that with the other 2 products. Keep your snakes on paper while treating them and repeat treatment as directed on the can. Zoo Med Mite Off and "natural remedies" such as garlic oil and olive oil will not work, you'll never get rid of the mites that way. Good luck!

[Julie]

It looks like you have a few spray on remedies in the UK. Reptile Relief/Spray is, also, available here in the state and is effective. I found a product that has the same active ingredient (Permethrin) as our Provent a Mite that should be effective called Net Tex Mite Kill Spray. I, also, found a product called Reptile Callington Mite Spray. I am not familiar with the active ingredient so I can't comment on it. It did get good reviews on Amazon. Just follow the directions on the can/bottle. You'll need to take your snakes out (yes, I would treat both), let them soak in water, clean the cage, freeze or throw out any wooden cage furniture, treat the cage according to the directions, Then follow the directions on what to do with the snake afterward. Reptile Spray can be used directly on the snakes before putting them back. I wouldn't do that with the other 2 products. Keep your snakes on paper while treating them and repeat treatment as directed on the can. Zoo Med Mite Off and "natural remedies" such as garlic oil and olive oil will not work, you'll never get rid of the mites that way. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice will get on it straight away.

[Julie]

Well phase one of de-miting done. I have stripped the viv, sprayed with mite spray and let air dry. Replaced aspen with paper towels, bathed and sprayed Cinder. Unfortunately the only one i could get is Zoo Med Mite Off so will try it if it fails will try another brand. I have boiled all wood and other viv furniture. And just put Cinder back in her viv.

Haha my cat was so engrossed watching her in the plastic tub i put her in while sorting her viv out, that he jumped a mile when i touched his ear. It was so funny but he was 'NOT AMUSED' lol .