8 Month Old Ball Python Mite Problem

I have only had my ball for about 2 1/2 months now and i noticed a mite problem about a month ago. i treated it according to my Veternarians instructions and at last it went away. I did not see any on him and he was not soaking in his waterbowl anymore. I decided, since the mites were gone, il replace the paper towel (which i was using as substrate) with my jungle mix substrate. He is also getting fairly big so i bought him two new hides. I have noticed within the last two days, he is going back in his water bowl to soak which is always a bad sign. I took him out of his enclosure today and thorughouly examined him only to a couple of mites crawling on him. Could they have came from the substrate or the new hides i bought from the pet store? This is a real annoyance and any information on preventing this from happening again would be much appreciated. Thanks!

More likely they came from hatched eggs that weren't killed by your last mite treatment.

I find that hard to believe considering the ammount i disinfected the tank and put brand new substrate! But i know these mites are sneaky so i guess il have to do another disinfection tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by AYOwhaddup

I find that hard to believe considering the ammount i disinfected the tank and put brand new substrate! But i know these mites are sneaky so i guess il have to do another disinfection tomorrow.

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I don't find it hard to believe at all. Due to their life cycle - an egg can take up to 30 days to hatch - you have to treat for two months after you stop finding them to ensure that you have completely eradicated them.
http://denardo.lab.asu.edu/publicati...snakemites.pdf

Wow i did not know that i guess thats what the fourm is for. Thanks!