New to Pythons... already have mites

[0tj0]

Ok so I got my first ball python. The guy who had it first went to the military and give it to someone who took crappy care of it and was even just about to drop it on a pet store doorstep. I took it instead.

The problem is it has mites. Little white ones. So Ive been scoping the forum here and tell me if my plan of attack seems right:
Get PAM (not the cooking kind! the first post I read had me very confused).
Empty tank and spray inside of tank with PAM.
Also spray rocks and things that go in the cage with PAM.
Soak snake in water with a few drops of dish soap. Dont submerge head. (how long do I soak though?)
Put in new bedding.
I will most likely get pest strips to keep in the cage from here on out.

What about me though? Should I get some like special kind of shampoo or anything? Ive been handling him for about 4 days before I noticed them. Should I bug bomb my house maybe? I havnt seen anything about what harm they are to humans.

All help is greatly appriciated. Sorry my first post on here is something like this.

TJ

[waltah!]

What kind of bedding is used? Doesn't sound like snake mites if they are white. Some bedding can have the little white mites/bugs, but they won't feed on your snakes as snake mites would. Try newspaper as bedding, clean out the tub and give snake a bath. Give it a shot and see if they clear up. Good luck!

[kc261]

What kind of substrate are you using? Snake mites are not white, so I suspect you have some sort of bug that was in the bedding.

PAM (provent-a-mite, LOL!) should still get rid of it.

If it were snake mites, you would not need to worry about yourself or the house; they only want the snake. However, not knowing for sure what these are, I'd recommend treating the snake's enclosure, then keeping a close eye out to see if you see any more anywhere. If you still have more bedding in the bag it came in, look in there to see if you have any.

I use newspaper as a substrate, and this is one of many reasons why I prefer it.

[dr del]

Hi,

Also the idea of keeping pest strips in the cage sounds like a really really bad one.


dr del

[kc261]

Hi,

Also the idea of keeping pest strips in the cage sounds like a really really bad one.


dr del

Yeah, I would not put it in the enclosure if I used it at all. Also, if you do decide to bug-bomb the house (probably not necessary), do not leave the snake in the house until it has been thoroughly ventilated afterwards.

[waltah!]

Hi,

Also the idea of keeping pest strips in the cage sounds like a really really bad one.


dr del

I missed that part somehow. Yeah, I would vote against the pest strips, and i'm sure there is no reason to bug bomb the house.
Almost forgot, welcome to Bp.Net! Noticed this was your first post.

[0tj0]

I forgot to add something: Apparently for the last month and a half he has refused to eat. Maybe hes just not hungry. I duno. Im way to green at this and kinda just hit the ground running. He never really comes out from under his rock either.

And as far as the bedding goes... its what was in it wen it was given to me. I was just gonna buy what the guy at the store recomended...

O, and ok, no pest strips, check.

[waltah!]

Since you are new to this I will give you one piece of advice. As a general don't buy what the guy at the store recommended. Newspaper is the easiest to clean, but if you want a nicer look you can go for aspen. Depending on how old he is, he may just be looking for a gf. What are the temps like and how are you measuring and controlling them?

[0tj0]

Since you are new to this I will give you one piece of advice. As a general don't buy what the guy at the store recommended. Newspaper is the easiest to clean, but if you want a nicer look you can go for aspen. Depending on how old he is, he may just be looking for a gf. What are the temps like and how are you measuring and controlling them?

lol. Ok awsome. Ill prob to the aspen. I do like the nicer look. I think he is 3 yrs old. Also I refer to him as a he but honestly have no idea.I have a heat light system set up on a timer keeping the tank at 80 degrees F that I monitor with a thermometor in the tank.


PS. So I just gave him a bath and he already seems happier.

[RichsBallPythons]

you need to be able to maintain temps of 80-84 cool side and 90-94 warm side 24/7 at all times. Its up to you on how you maintain the temps whether its heat lamps or heating pads. But be sure to maintain humidity as well of 50-60%.

Timers arent the best for ball pythons, they will work as a substitute till you can get a rheostat on the low end or a thermostat.