Mites - Origin & Reproduction?

I'm told that it happens to everyone and they will eventually, one day make it into your collection... Mites, I have them.

One of my females has mites. I found her soaking this morning and saw a little creepy black speck moving across her back. I took a real good look at her and picked off about 7, 2 are near the underside of her head and she was not too happy about me trying to get them out. Anyways, I'm treating her and the enclosures to try and prevent any sort of outbreak which led to a few questions.

What is the origin of the mites that we find on our snakes? And can anyone offer the scientific name so I can do some more research?

Also, how quickly can mites spread / reproduce once they get into our collection?

Any feedback would be great, most of my searches on the site only provided PAM treatment.

Thanks

EDIT: Ever since I found these darn mites I keep checking myself over and feel all itchy! I just want them gone. Kind of like that un-easy feeling when you find a tick in your boot! Argghhh

PAM is the best in my opinion. They can spread relatively quickly. I'd isolate her away from the room your other snakes are in if possible. If you house them in a rack, put her at the very bottom and treat as directed on the can. I'd treat your whole collection if I were you as a safety precaution.

Was she a new addition?

I personally treat mine once a month, and anytime I bring a new animal in, regardless of who it's from.

Soak her, treat her, and watch your other animals closely. They'll be all over faster than you can blink.

Also, I've read that they can get into your carpet, so vacuum really good too.

Trey






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Great read!

http://www.vpi.com/publications/the_...of_snake_mites

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Originally Posted by el8ch

I'm told that it happens to everyone and they will eventually, one day make it into your collection... Mites, I have them.

One of my females has mites. I found her soaking this morning and saw a little creepy black speck moving across her back. I took a real good look at her and picked off about 7, 2 are near the underside of her head and she was not too happy about me trying to get them out. Anyways, I'm treating her and the enclosures to try and prevent any sort of outbreak which led to a few questions.

What is the origin of the mites that we find on our snakes? And can anyone offer the scientific name so I can do some more research?

Also, how quickly can mites spread / reproduce once they get into our collection?

Any feedback would be great, most of my searches on the site only provided PAM treatment.

Thanks

EDIT: Ever since I found these darn mites I keep checking myself over and feel all itchy! I just want them gone. Kind of like that un-easy feeling when you find a tick in your boot! Argghhh

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Mites can come from anything. It can come from feeders, bedding, new reptiles, etc. I'm not sure on the scientific name. Eggs can lie dormant until proper conditions arise(I.e. survive freezing process). And the nymph stage is airborne. So they really can get around fast.

They can spread and reproduce very quickly. You can have one mite one day and an infestation by the end of the week.
I recommend changing all substrate to paper towels and have your set ups as simple as possible. (take out all accessories except the water bowl and sanitize everything with bleach and hot water). The paper towel makes it easier to see the mites. Also, its always good to treat all newcommers, no matter where they come from. It's a good preventative measure. I PAM each new tub I set up for a new arrival.

Good thing about reptile mites is that its species specific. So you don't have to worry about them infesting you.

Pam is the best and most efficient route. In the mean time, you can soak your snake in a warm bath with a drop or two of dish soap. This will ease her discomfort as well as kill some nasty mites.

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Originally Posted by Chuckels

Was she a new addition?

Also, I've read that they can get into your carpet, so vacuum really good too.

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Yes, got her roughly a month ago. She was cleaned and treated when she came in and put into quarantine. Never noticed the mites until today though.

The carpet comment, ugggghhhhhh... Vacuum will be on overdrive now. lol

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Originally Posted by RobNJ

Great read!

http://www.vpi.com/publications/the_...of_snake_mites

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Good Stuff. I found this since I posted.

http://www.anapsid.org/mites.html

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Originally Posted by satomi325

I recommend changing all substrate to paper towels and have your set ups as simple as possible. (take out all accessories except the water bowl). The paper towel makes it easier to see the mites. Also, its always good to treat all newcommers, no matter where.they come from. It's a good preventative measure.

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I have her on unprinted newspaper and in the rack all they have is a water bowl. She is in quarantine with several other new additions so I was concerned about them spreading from tub to tub. Not sure how good they are at moving through a rack... across aluminum, over tubs and through PVC...

I'm working nights right now so I'm not going to be able to get out and get PAM until the weekend, so in the interim I am going to do the best I can with keeping her and her enclosure clean.

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Not sure how good they are at moving through a rack... across aluminum, over tubs and through PVC...

I'm working nights right now so I'm not going to be able to get out and get PAM until the weekend, so in the interim I am going to do the best I can with keeping her and her enclosure clean.

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They will BLAZE through a rack system. I got a new addition from someone a couple of months ago, and pre-treated as usual. The next week during cleaning I found a slew of dead mites in her cage.

If you cannot get to some PAM quick enough, while you're working tonight, order some from Rich over at Reptile Basic, his shipping seems to show up ALOT faster than usual. I have ordered stuff from him, picked 2-3 day shipping, and got it the next day. It'd be worth the extra few dollars to get it quicker in my opinion, than you having a bigger mess by the weekend.

Make sure when you do treat, you remove the water bowl though. I'm pretty sure you knew that already, just figured I'd throw that in there anyways. You can soak her everyday until you get some, that should help slow them down a little.

Drown the suckers. :rage:

Trey

EDIT: Did not notice until now you're located in Canada, not sure how fast he ships internationally, or if he does. Ask a friend to go pick some up, it's pretty easy to identify a can of PAM.

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Originally Posted by el8ch

Good Stuff. I found this since I posted.

http://www.anapsid.org/mites.html

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Just an FYI, the information on that site might have been good 14 years ago but most of what is there is woefully out of date.

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Originally Posted by Chuckels

They will BLAZE through a rack system. I got a new addition from someone a couple of months ago, and pre-treated as usual. The next week during cleaning I found a slew of dead mites in her cage.

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Great. I think I will take her out of the quarantine rack when I get home in the morning and put her in one of my old PVC enclosures or a darn fish tank with a T-STAT hooked up to if I have to.

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Originally Posted by Chuckels

If you cannot get to some PAM quick enough, while you're working tonight, order some from Rich over at Reptile Basic, his shipping seems to show up ALOT faster than usual. I have ordered stuff from him, picked 2-3 day shipping, and got it the next day. It'd be worth the extra few dollars to get it quicker in my opinion, than you having a bigger mess by the weekend.

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Thanks for the info, but I'm pretty sure we cannot ship PAM across the border. I have hea some stories about it not clearing due to some reason or another. I'm going to try and get out tomorrow or Thursday and pick something up.

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

Just an FYI, the information on that site might have been good 14 years ago but most of what is there is woefully out of date.

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Lol... I read this then I read the VPI article "The Life History of Snake Mites" that Rob posted. Night and Day!

Anapsid and anything related to Melissa Kaplan(the author) is bad news. She is well know for giving poor reptile advice. Every experienced person on this forum will agree.