Mites???

[mamaofporter]

I have one ball with grey patches on his back and another with what looks like a burnt belly but I don't use heat rocks. Just a heating pad. The paper towel shows black flecks but I dont know if these are mites or traces of bark from the cage.
Would I be able to see the mites move? I cant see any movement... just black specks.

[thejennabird]

Could you post pictures of what you're describing? Even a heating pad can cause a burnt belly if you aren't using a thermostat to regulate it. How are you measuring the temperature of the pad?
Also, are the grey patches like pieces of stuck shed, or something else?

[Eric Alan]

"Just a heating pad" will get hot enough to burn your snake if it's not controlled by a thermostat.

Yes, pictures would definitely help guide this discussion.

[somnambulant]

Just to add my two cents -- when I first came across mites, I was like, "Ah, no, those are just pieces from the aspen bedding." Check the water bowl for drowned mites, and if you can, actually pick up one of the black flecks on your finger tip and try to look at it pretty closely.

And as for your heating pad, if you do not have a thermostat plugged into your heating pad, it can definitely get hot enough to burn your snake. A layer of substrate doesn't help, because your snake will move it around.

[auhsojnacnud]

Pictures would be great. I don't know what mites look like so if I could have a visual reference for the future.

[mamaofporter]

Do u use betadine or nix to treat the snake. I've heard both.
I thought it was pieces from the aspen shavings too. So last night I ditched all the bedding and cleaned the tanks with vinegar until I can get a product to kill. I dont see any in the water bowls. Someone suggested verifying that they are mites by squishing them and see if I can see blood. I cant see any and they dont squish so I dont know.
And I dont know how to upload pics either....

[Kamerick]

For pics on mobile devices (iPhone and Samsung) I use tapatalk.

[somnambulant]

Do u use betadine or nix to treat the snake. I've heard both.
I thought it was pieces from the aspen shavings too. So last night I ditched all the bedding and cleaned the tanks with vinegar until I can get a product to kill. I dont see any in the water bowls. Someone suggested verifying that they are mites by squishing them and see if I can see blood. I cant see any and they dont squish so I dont know.
And I dont know how to upload pics either....

I use Provent-a-Mite. If you follow the directions exactly, then it's an awesome product and won't hurt your snakes. It's for use on the enclosure and decorations only. I have also used "Reptile Spray" by Natural Solutions (I know some call it Reptile Relief, but my bottle literally says Reptile Spray) because that can be used directly on the snake and the directions say that it doesn't have to be rinsed off. All in all, they'll probably cost you about $25+ shipping, but they work and are totally worth it. I would advise against using a harsh chemical that is not specifically formulated for use on reptiles. I actually read a post on this forum where someone said that one of those lice sprays worked for him... but a week later killed his male piebald. PAM is made specifically for use on reptiles. Those sprays are not.

I don't know if you're on a computer, but just upload the photo to an image hosting service (like Imgur or Photobucket, I prefer the first one). Once uploaded, copy the direct link. Next to the "add hyperlink" icon on the tool bar with font, paragraph formatting, etc, there's a little image icon. Click it, fill in your link, and it should post.

[Rob]

PAM ftw

[mamaofporter]

Thanks