Quarantine and mites prevention

[Cheesenugget]

I recently brought home a woma and dumerils boa from the Daytona reptile breeder show. The BEL bp will have to wait. It was a fun event! My eyes still hurt from seeing so many ball pythons. Pics will be made available after the babies settle down. I forgot to take their pics before placing them in their homes.

It has been awhile since I QT my snakes. I only have Reptile Spray on me and I forgot to pick up PAM before the new arrivals. It was ordered and I hope to get it within a week. I used a little bit of Reptile Spray on a papertowel and rubbed both snakes the best I could while they squirm around. I did not want to overdo it because my fear of the pesticide hurting them.

The woma is in a tub with papertowels, hides and a water bowl. The boa is in a tub too but I added aspen substrate, something I had been debating about whether or not to do. Dumerils are shy and loves to hide under the substrate. I wanted him to feel as comfortable as possible. If I were to spot any signs of mites, the substrate will be removed asap. What are your thoughts on that?

Lastly, I checked both of them from the nostrils, between the eyes, the heat pits, anal area... Etc and I have not seen any mites. And both snakes are not soaking in their water bowls. BUT that does not mean they are not there. So my other question is, I plan to treat them with the spray again and PAM (once it arrived) on their tubs in about 14 days (If no signs of mites within the first 13 days). How does that sound? If I still don't see any signs of mites, should I treat them one last time 2 weeks later?

For those who may want a good referral, I met Chun from Dynasty Reptiles. He is a very nice guy and gave me all the detailed information about the woma I bought from him.

[Bogertophis]

Without seeing any signs of mites, I would never use PAM or other pesticides*...but that's me. I'd look again & again, use white paper towels etc, but not expose

them to chemicals without a darn good reason. As long as you have them in QT, IF mites do show up, only then I'd treat for them. PAM & all such chemicals are

not risk-free. And first thing coming home I'd have given them a bath in mildly soapy water. Yes, aspen may be asking for trouble, since mites can sneak up on

you with an over-population-party. I'd have used only white paper towels, and you can crumple several of them & put another layer of paper towels over them so

the snake can feel fairly private, but mites will still show up pretty well. (*I'm not sure what's in Reptile Spray & have never used it, so can't comment on that.)

[Valyrian]

Without seeing any signs of mites, I would never use PAM or other pesticides*...but that's me. I'd look again & again, use white paper towels etc, but not expose

them to chemicals without a darn good reason. As long as you have them in QT, IF mites do show up, only then I'd treat for them. PAM & all such chemicals are

not risk-free. And first thing coming home I'd have given them a bath in mildly soapy water. Yes, aspen may be asking for trouble, since mites can sneak up on

you with an over-population-party. I'd have used only white paper towels, and you can crumple several of them & put another layer of paper towels over them so

the snake can feel fairly private, but mites will still show up pretty well. (*I'm not sure what's in Reptile Spray & have never used it, so can't comment on that.)

Soap contains chemicals too. I'd be very cautious of putting snakes into soapy water tbh.

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[Stewart_Reptiles]

I always recommend to pre-treat any incoming animal regardless of the source whether you see mites or not.

I pre-treat on arrival and 2 weeks later and I am done.

Strict quarantine practise and pre-treating for mite will spare you from what could be a huge headache.

It's a lot easier to prevent then treat and because you do not see mites, does not mean there are none, it only take one well hidden one for a full infestation 30 days later.