I found a snake wih ticks all over it's head

It was basking in the sun on my pavement this morning
I captured it and its contained but they are covering it's entire head.
The snake is barely even a foot long but it's difficult to keep it still to remove them.
Any suggestions?

Any Pics?

Any pictures? I think you should contact a wildlife rehab center for advice, if you are not able to remove the ticks yourself.

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Originally Posted by Capray

Any pictures? I think you should contact a wildlife rehab center for advice, if you are not able to remove the ticks yourself.

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I let my sister take my phone with her to Tennessee so she had a way to contact me while she's with my dad for Christmas so I can't supply pictures.
I'm pretty sure it's a garter snake, but I'm not sure.
I cannot contact the Wildlife Sanctuary until Monday. :/

run it under running water. You will be surprised how many will fall off in the running water. It will look like a black waterfall.

Get a tweezers ans use something to pin the head down gently. Pull the ticks off one by one, giving the snake breaks in between, ans rinse the head with warm water.
arter snakes are pretty easy to control, if you don't mind them squirting poop all over you..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Capray

Get a tweezers ans use something to pin the head down gently. Pull the ticks off one by one, giving the snake breaks in between, ans rinse the head with warm water.
arter snakes are pretty easy to control, if you don't mind them squirting poop all over you..

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I wouldnt use tweezers. Id use a damp cotton ear swab. They get caught up nicely and no chance of hurting the snake.

I agree with trying some water, usually you will be able to drown some of them out, but he may not like that too much. Perhaps some mite spray will help?

I know that in the shelters we use a mild saturation of dish soap on really tough cases of ticks and fleas. I've seen it done with snakes before; Maybe a quick rinse with that will help.

Just make sure you are careful and to keep the snake away from your other animals (which I'm sure you know already), and I wish you the best of support, hope and luck :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Herpetology

I agree with trying some water, usually you will be able to drown some of them out, but he may not like that too much. Perhaps some mite spray will help?

I know that in the shelters we use a mild saturation of dish soap on really tough cases of ticks and fleas. I've seen it done with snakes before; Maybe a quick rinse with that will help.

Just make sure you are careful and to keep the snake away from your other animals (which I'm sure you know already), and I wish you the best of support, hope and luck :)

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I thought I heard you weren't supposed to use mite spray directly on the snakes. Something about strong concentrations makes snakes have neuro issues?

There are mite sprays that can be used directly on a snake. You need to read the labels though and follow the directions.