Mites? Or what..

Alright. So my female ball python (Swayze) has some sort of bug issue?... I was holding her the other day and I noticed a little white bug very small crawl over her head. Any idea what it is? I then was looking at her and I noticed some mites (black/brown) in her belly scales, so I gave her a bath then gave her another one with bedadine. And some died because I didn't see the same amount. I am still bathing her daily because I am very freaked out over this situation. I checked my other snake and he doesn't have anything at all so he is okay. I guess what I am asking is what can I do? And how do I completely and safely get rid of them? I have never had bugs before this. I was buying rats from a local bp breeder who raised his own but every time I did I noticed that they had flea like bugs in there fur. So I ended up killing and disposing of them after I realized the bugs on the rats. Only my female eats rats right now though. And I know they say that rats mites can't infest snakes but... I am very worried. :confusd::please:

I had an issue with mite a couple weeks ago although mine were black... It could be some sort of parasite but I think one of the more experienced people can help you. If you purchase some "Reptile Spray" it kills mites on contact and worked great on clearing up Luna's mite problem... Luna is my female Albino BP. She still has some bruising from the mites eating at her but I am told after a couple sheds it should go away. :) I hope I was of some help!

It was helpful. I wish more people would reply. I've been setting here worried all morning. I probably shouldn't be this worried, but I just am. Any ideas where I can buy reptile spray? I am in Oklahoma and I can't seem to find any that I don't have to order and have shipped

I got mine at a local pet store called Buckles feed depot, but they are only in Indiana I believe. I would not get the Reptile Spray until you figure out what it is though. From the sounds of it if your BP has black specks in the scales it would most likely be mites. They can form in the substrate you use as well as I think that is where mine came from. I believe PetCo has Reptile Spray if you have any of those around you... but other than that you may have to order it... I really hope a more experienced personn replies to help!

I don't see anymore of the white bugs. But she does have normal mites.

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Originally Posted by Chaoticpythons

I don't see anymore of the white bugs. But she does have normal mites.

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Ok, then I would DEFINATLY recomend Reptile Spray... That's all I can say for now, until someone with more experience jumps in. Also I understand your urgency I was flipped out completely and worried when my BP had mites :(

Yup. I guess I am going to start calling all the local pet stores to see if they carry it. Some body has to! Thank you for the help though. I am a youth breeder and all this is still very new to me.

When I hear about mites, all I can advise is get Provent-a-mite. Don't waste your time with soaking and all that BS. Just get your can of PAM, spray the substrate, let it dry and within 2 weeks all the mites (including the ones on your snake) will be dead.

simple.

can you buy pam in petstores or only online

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Originally Posted by Chaoticpythons

can you buy pam in petstores or only online

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You may be able to buy it in a specialty store, but I'd just buy it direct from them online. You could also use NIX, which I have heard numerous times being used with good results (available in most drug stores and also at Walmart). I've only used PAM though, so I cannot say for sure if NIX does work or how to use it properly. I'm sure if you googled it, you'd figure it out pretty quick though.