Help, my snake has been acting weird and I've noticed tiny bugs...

I got my snake on the 4th of this month, and he just ate two days ago, and came out of his hide for the first time (that I'd seen) today, and I noticed that he was acting a little weird. He was rubbing his head on different things in his enclosure, and then I noticed a tiny, almost microscopic bug crawling on him and now I'm worried....check my profile to see a topic I posted a week or so ago with all the info for his enclosure and stuff....sorry I'm rushed typing this up right now so if anyone has questions I'll answer them later!

Thanks!

those are called mites, get provent a mite spray and they willl go away. Ive never used it but I know it works. And do it soon

They are mites, which are parasites. Most pet store snakes have them. There are pet store products which advertise killing them completely but they never do. Order a can of Provent a mite or PAM as it is referred to here.

http://www.pro-products.com/miteandtemp.html

That is the only product I have use that killed mites. I bought a can and honestly have used it once.

Would I spray the whole enclosure? Because I also killed one I saw just walking in the cage. I'll be sure to order that spray as soon as possible.

take everything out, including the bp. Spray all items in cage. NOT the BP. It should tell you how to do it.

Good Luck

I think every snake keeper should have a can of Provent-A-Mite as part of their basic husbandry supplies. You hope you'll never have to use it, but it sure gives you peace of mind knowing that you have it at the ready should you need it.

I just purchased my second can (the first can lasted me over 2 years) on Friday and it arrived yesterday. It would have been here on Tuesday had it not been for President's Day on Monday.

I always re-treat my established colonie's enclosures when I bring in a new animal, and I pre-treat the new arrival's QT tub.

I take my P.A.M. to Daytona and pre-treat travel tubs in the event I may pick up a new addition.

I was relieved to get my can yesterday - even with no mites to treat. I just like the security it gives me to know if mites come in on an animal, they're easily erradicated.

Most pet store brand "mite killer" doesnt work. I had them and the first time i tried to get rid of them i used this stuff called mite off and it didnt work at all. i got a can of provent a mite and mite relief they both are great!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

I think every snake keeper should have a can of Provent-A-Mite as part of their basic husbandry supplies. You hope you'll never have to use it, but it sure gives you peace of mind knowing that you have it at the ready should you need it.

I just purchased my second can (the first can lasted me over 2 years) on Friday and it arrived yesterday. It would have been here on Tuesday had it not been for President's Day on Monday.

I always re-treat my established colonie's enclosures when I bring in a new animal, and I pre-treat the new arrival's QT tub.

I take my P.A.M. to Daytona and pre-treat travel tubs in the event I may pick up a new addition.


I was relieved to get my can yesterday - even with no mites to treat. I just like the security it gives me to know if mites come in on an animal, they're easily erradicated.

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I totally agree with you! Keeping a first aid kit is important and having PAM in the first aid kit is essential...negates an emergency becoming a crisis!

On top of the provent a mite (there are instructions on the can, just follow them to the tee) I would switch over to paper towel as substrate for the time being. It will give the mites less crevices to lay eggs in as opposed to the Aspen, which you're going to have to toss anyway. If you have to wait on a can in the mail, I'd also provide a larger water bowl that he/she could soak in because it drowneds the living mites and gives him a bit of temporary relief.

Also since nobody has mentioned it yet. Make sure you REMOVE the water bowl before treating the enclosure.