help - mites (I think...)

so we've had our Ball for about 6 weeks and I took him to the vet about three weeks ago as he hadn't yet eaten and I thought I saw a mite - vet inspected closely and said he saw NO indication of mites and adjust temps for ball to make warmer. I did and cage temps have been quite steady at 85 cool side, 92-95 warm side and about 85 @ night all over - humidity ranges between 50-60%. I noticed a small black bug crawling on our guys back the other night and for the last two days he's been sitting in his bowl soaking. His eyes aren't cloudy and belly isn't pink so I don't think he's going to shed. He's still not eaten (but doesn't appear to be losing weight) and I am wondering if he's got mites (more than one). I've closely inspected his heat pits and chin and don't see any mites (but am still a bit nervous of grabbing his head) and don't see any around his eyes either. I've been doing some research and figured that I'd treat his tank/him with a NIX treatment to be safe. I've read and re-read the instructions and am a bit confused as to when I can return him to his enclosure and when I should provide water (i.e. for him to drink while he's in rubbermaid container or his large bowl once he's back in tank)...any help would be greatly appreciated as this is our first snake so it's all new to me.

Just get yourself some Provent-a-mite and follow the directions on the can.

Dont bother with the home made concoctions.

You saw a black bug?

Those are mites

After talking to many people here at BP.net .I ordered (pam) for my little mite problem and im glad i spent a few extra bucks.

If I were you I would get a bottle of PAM and reptile relief. Treat the cage with PAM and the snake with reptile relief. I don't have mites but I always have a bottle of PAM on hand to do preventative care on all my tubs.

:welcome:to BP.net...

PAM= Provent-A-Mite, not the cooking spray. I thought I would make that clear since I was about 30 seconds away from greasing my little guy up with cooking spray when I had my first and only mite outbreak. At the last minute I thought, "This can't be right" After the confusion was cleared up I ordered a can of Provent-A-Mite and now I use it once a month to treat my enclosures and haven't seen another mite since. If you decide to use it you can order it here...

http://www.pro-products.com/

I would also suggest PAM. It's wonderful. My girl got mites not to long after I got her. I was going to look at doing some of the home made things, and was actually looking at the NIX one. But I've read that if you didn't fallow it to the T exactly, that it has killed many peoples snakes. PAM works great, and it's safe for the snake once dry. Good luck getting rid of the mites, and don't stress out. ^^
I balled my eyes out when I found a mite on her, but I got the PAM and it hasn't been a problem since.