Question about mite/tick removal

[longviewbplover]

I have a snake I picked up who had a cpl of ticks on it, which I removed. Ive gone over him completely and I dont see anymore. To be sure I went and got a bottle of mite off, and gave him a dose of it(sprayed him down). How often should I use it, and should I give my other snakes a dose, for preventive measures. The snake that had the ticks is in a tank in another area of the house away from my other snakes.

Here is a pic of him

[tigerlily]

I am unfamiliar with that product, what does the packaging say?

I would recommend Provent a Mite. I would also strongly recommend quarantining this animal from any others you may have, since even though you have removed the adults there may be eggs that may survive.

[longviewbplover]

This is what I got based on I was told it works really good.
Mite off
He is in qurantine away from my other snakes.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

This is what I got based on I was told it works really good.
Mite off
He is in qurantine away from my other snakes.

I heard about Mite Off and did not hear anything good about it, it will take care of the mites but not the lice and you will get another infestation in no time.

if you want to eradicate the problem for good there is only one thing that is designed for reptiles and FDA approved: PAM (Provent-A-Mite) It might seems costly compare to mite-off but it is the bomb and goes a long way, you just treat the enclosure and place the snake back in its enclosure when dry. This is where I buy mine http://entirelypets.stores.yahoo.net/proventamite.html

Also since you have mites and ticks I would think a vet visit would be a good idea to make sure there is no internal parasites.

Here is how to find a vet in your area http://www.arav.org/USMembers.htm if you need to.

[longviewbplover]

I did not find any mites or lice on him. Just the ticks. I wouldnt say I have an ifestation problem, Im trying to make sure that, I dont get that problem. I have already planned to take him to the vet this week.

[tigerlily]

That product does not look like it kills any type of egg, and it's likely you'll have more ticks once they hatch. I would still highly recommend that Provent a Mite.

[shavemycoinpurse]

Treat the enclosure with a 0.5% Permethrin Spray. Thoroughly spray the entire enclosure and wait for it to dry.


Provent-A-Mite is a 0.5% Permethrin Spray that costs $20 for a 6 oz. can.

For $4.00 you can buy a 5 oz. can of 0.5% Permethrin Spray at Wal-Mart. Its sold in the Pharmacy section under the name Equate Bedding Spray.

Soaking in warm water will help - make sure that the water is deep enough to cover the animals body, but not so deep as to force the animal to swim.

You may also want to try Reptile Relief spray. Its a weak acid that breaks down the chitin coating on ticks and mites.

[smasharama13]

Treat the enclosure with a 0.5% Permethrin Spray. Thoroughly spray the entire enclosure and wait for it to dry.


Provent-A-Mite is a 0.5% Permethrin Spray that costs $20 for a 6 oz. can.

For $4.00 you can buy a 5 oz. can of 0.5% Permethrin Spray at Wal-Mart. Its sold in the Pharmacy section under the name Equate Bedding Spray.

I got an 8oz bottle of concentrated permethrin from my local feed store for $10 it make a gal with 2 tsp/tablespoon(can't remember) one bottle will make about 50 gallons of spray.

Soaking in warm water will help - make sure that the water is deep enough to cover the animals body, but not so deep as to force the animal to swim.

I was also told to use a couple of drops of "Ivory dish soap" when I soak. Put the water in, then add the soap and stir gently to prevent sudsing.

Any one else ever use this technique?


Also, do I need to wipe the enclosure out with bleach/water after spraying the permethrin? And can I use it to treat Aspen bedding? By treat the bedding I mean spray, let sit and use when needed.

[frankykeno]

I got an 8oz bottle of concentrated permethrin from my local feed store for $10 it make a gal with 2 tsp/tablespoon(can't remember) one bottle will make about 50 gallons of spray.

This is pretty much why most of us don't recommend going this route. People "can't remember" the right dilution and end up either not wiping out the mites/ticks properly and having a reinfestation or killing/neurologically damaging their snakes.

Personally I'd rather just go with Provent-A-Mite, follow the directions exactly, deal with the problem permamently, know my snakes are safe and I have the peace of mind that I've done right by them.