Mites on my ball python

Hi all, I recently in the past week started noticing some sort of mites crawling all over my ball python and in her setup and I can't figure out what they are. They are mainly in her setup and on her but I have also found a couple of them on my other ball python. I haven't seen any on my other three snakes or my leopard geckos but found a single one in with my blue tong skink. They are really small and appear between white and clear. Also, what are some good ways to get rid of them and are they harmful? http://ball-pythons.net/forums/webki...104b/imagejpeg

I've always heard that snake mites are black. As far as remedies Provent a mite or a generic Permethrin lice/mite solution should work. Make sure they're snake mites and not some other pest.

Sounds like would mice, any of the method listed above will do, make sure you treat every snakes and replace the bedding.

Those are not harmful to your snakes however I would consider finding a new source of bedding, nothing appealing about seeing little bugs crawling around.

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I've always heard that snake mites are black. As far as remedies Provent a mite or a generic Permethrin lice/mite solution should work. Make sure they're snake mites and not some other pest.

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I was possibly thinking wood mites but I've also heard that snake mites are not black while in a certain stage of development. I ordered a can of prevent a mite so I will be treating them with that. I have photos of the mites but am not sure how to post them.

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Originally Posted by Edgar the Bp

I was possibly thinking wood mites but I've also heard that snake mites are not black while in a certain stage of development. I ordered a can of prevent a mite so I will be treating them with that. I have photos of the mites but am not sure how to post them.

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Make sure you read the provent a mite instructions and follow them. Let it air out good. Do not use on your snake. If you want something to use on your snake get natural chemistry reptile spray. The life stage your talking about with snake mites you wouldn't even really to be able to see them unless you were really looking hard, they are practically invisible.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Make sure you read the provent a mite instructions and follow them. Let it air out good. Do not use on your snake. If you want something to use on your snake get natural chemistry reptile spray. The life stage your talking about with snake mites you wouldn't even really to be able to see them unless you were really looking hard, they are practically invisible.

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Thanks for the info! They are fairly small but definitely visible. I don't plan on spraying the snake cause I've heard it will kill it and definitely will read directions and research how to properly use! I Think I'm leaning tworads them being wood mites. Will prevent a mite have any affect on other insects if I plan on going bio active soon with my snakes setup?

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Originally Posted by Edgar the Bp

Thanks for the info! They are fairly small but definitely visible. I don't plan on spraying the snake cause I've heard it will kill it and definitely will read directions and research how to properly use! I Think I'm leaning tworads them being wood mites. Will prevent a mite have any affect on other insects if I plan on going bio active soon with my snakes setup?

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Provent a mite will kill all insects and animals in enclosure. That's why you need to remove any animals, food and water sources from the enclosure and then wait for it to air out good so keep doors or screen off while it does its thing and then you can put everything back in and your snake in and all will be well. You may want to hold off on the bio active for a bit bc your going to treat every 2 weeks for about 2-3 months.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Provent a mite will kill all insects and animals in enclosure. That's why you need to remove any animals, food and water sources from the enclosure and then wait for it to air out good so keep doors or screen off while it does its thing and then you can put everything back in and your snake in and all will be well. You may want to hold off on the bio active for a bit bc your going to treat every 2 weeks for about 2-3 months.

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Ok. Thanks for the help!

First try cleaning the enclosure and putting the snake on paper towels. Don't want to use pesticides if you don't have to. Also, I think wood mites are part of a bioactive tank so maybe you want them around.

I have had great luck getting rid of mites with this method.
1) Remove snake from enclosure and place in container with just enough warm water that the body is submerged but can keep head above water level. After about 5 min add betadine and continue the soak for another 10-15 min.
2) Remove everything from cage and soak it in bleach water. If you can't bleach it, toss it.
3) Scrub down inside of enclosures with bleach water. If it has lots of small cracks, use a spray bottle to get the bleach water in them.
4) Scrub and rinse thoroughly inside of enclosures with normal water to ensure no remaining bleach residue exists.
Place white paper towels down in cage and put Hite and water dish back. (No substrate)
Place snake back in enclosure.
Repeat process every 48 hours until you no longer find mites in water dish, on snake or on paper towels.

You may need to mist occasionally to keep humidity up due to lack of substrate.

I know some people swear by provent a mite but i have heard of it killing snakes. Granted it was likely due to misuse but i would rater not risk it. The abive method was suggested by a vetrinarian and works. Hope this helps.