Ticks vs mites

[scotty]

Hey all i recently acquired a ball python, his name is scotty, and he looked fine when i got him.He is 18-20 inches. He acts normal, looks normal, drinks, eats like a garbage disposal, but has mites... or ticks. My question is how to tell the diffrence from the two? when i think of a tick i think of the little bug that digs under my skin when i go hiking, and the bug i picture is way bigger than the bugS on him. So if ticks are just like that than he has mites. The bugs he has are very tiny white-beige colored and many of them crawling over him, and yesterday i noticed that some of them were actually a blackish red and a bit bigger (im assuming larvae-adult mites). thats just what i came up with in my head, but im looking for someone to tell me yes it is mites, or yes it is ticks (i havent found one yet that has "dug" under his scales, thats why i think mites)
So my question is based on that info do you guys/gals think its mites or ticks? and if so does this require a trip to the vet or do the mite treatment stuff at my local petstore work, ive already made a appointment with my local herp vet to check out his crap sample in 2 weeks (hopefully he will crap by then) so i could push it up to 2 days if he requires vet assistance. Any help/advice would be appreciated
-PJ

[Forrest]

Dont delay, get your snake to a vet now. The longer you wait the worse it will be.

[scotty]

alright, so is it ticks or mites? If its mites do i run the risk of getting them as well? as ive handled him with them on him.

[Forrest]

It is impossible to diagnois over the internet (sounds like mites). I really doubt that you will get mites breeding on you, but your snake will be ( if it is not already ) in a lot of discomfort, which can lead to stress and a truckload of other problems associated with an infested animal. Check around your snakes eyes this is the spot most likely where they are breeding. Good rule of thumb is that if they are on him when you handled him they are probably crawling on you as well. Just get him to vet ASAP.

[tigerlily]

It sounds like you need to order some Provent-A-Mite. Mites are very small (little specks) and ticks are much bigger (head usually imbedded into skin and the body gets more swollen as it suck out the blood). A vet can accurately diagnose, but I believe in either case you'll still need that Provent-A-Mite. I know you can get it online, but you may be lucky and be able to find some locally. Good luck. Make sure to treat the snake and the cage. Hygiene very important!!!!

[scotty]

Thanks for the advice, i can obtain prevent a mite locally, but ill order it online since it seems to be cheaper, even with next day air shipping, than my local source charges. I am going to bring him to the vet on saturday (my next day off) i already called and made the appointment. the vet wanted stool to check for internal parasites but alas, no poop from the poopmaster yet. I am pretty sure they arent ticks, because A they are small and B none of them look like ticks (not stationary, and not sucking blood from him) they all just seem roam around, i never spotted one that looked like it was sucking blood or anything. AGAIN, THANKS a bunch for the help. This is definately a board im going to frequent, specially being new to herp keeping im finding it hard to get good info locally. Also he started to shed today i noticed on my lunch hour when i went home to make sure they werent ticks heh. So im sure the poor thing is all sorts of uncomfortable, im gonna give him a warm water bath when i get home in t minus 5 hours.

[pumba]

I don't have a mite problem or a tick problem. BUt I have a question. I know how to treet ticks, but how exactly do you use that mite o blaster or whatever it was called. Just currious for future reference if needed.

[daniel1983]

From the Provent-a-mite can:

Directions for use: Please note that it is a violation of Federal Law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with it's labeling. Remove birds, arachnids, amphibians and insects far away from the area in which Provent-A-Mite will be used. Cover fish aquariums and turn off air pumps before spraying. Remove reptiles and feeding and water bowls from cage. Shake can well before using. For control of mites and ticks on reptiles and their enclosures, remove protective cap, hold can upright and spray at a distance of 12" to 15" from the surface of the substrate at a rate of 1 second per foot. Ventilate the enclosure well until the spray has completely dried and all vapors have dissipated then replace reptile and bowls. Reapply Provent-A-Mite once a month to prevent future reinfestations.

[daniel1983]

Also from the can:
WARNING: Do not allow reptile to breath vapors. Do not apply to heating devices or heating device covers. Do not use Provent-A-Mite within the vicinity of any arachnids or amphibians. Provent-A-Mite will kill any feed insects introduced into a treated enclosure at least 2 weeks. Treat or feed any carnivorous reptiles in a seperate cage. Provent-A-Mite & it's vapors will kill spiders and insects.

Storage & Disposal: Store in a cool dry area away from heat and open flame. Do not transport or store below 32 degrees F. Wrap container in a newspaper for disposal and throw in trash. Do not incinerate or puncture.

Hazards to Humans & domestic animals: Harmful if swallowed. Avoid spraying in eyes. Avoid breathing mist or vapor. Avoid contact with skin. Wash hands thoroughly after use. Vacate rooms after treatment & ventilate before reoccupying. Avoid contamination of feeds and foodstuffs. Cover or remove fish bowls & turn off air pumps.

ha ha.....I hope that answers your question

[pumba]

ALLLLLLLLLRIIIIGHTYTHENNNNNNN!, Now just one more question, do you treat your snake with anything or does this prevent-a-dang-mite kill the ones on the snake as he slithers around on the substrate? Also, I suppose it would not be a bad idea to get a can of this Mite-woop-azz to keep lying around just in case,,,,,