New ball python... need advice

So I recently purchased a ball python and am a first-time owner. I did a good amount of research before purchasing and made sure I had all the necessities to set up my new snake's home. However, a few days after purchase I've noticed a mild infestation of mites on the snake.

I've read quite a bit about how to deal with the mites, but since it's a brand new snake in a new home, I was just looking for additional advice. Should I wait until the snake settles in before handling and trying to get rid of the infestation? Or do I deal with the mites now? I don't want to risk further stress to the snake, but I also don't want the infestation to get to a point where it's going to be super-difficult to eliminate. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

Deal with it asap. Make sure to use Prevent a mite (spelling). Read the instructions and this will be a thing of the past. Did I mention "Read the instructions". Keep us posted.

Mike your best bet is to deal with this immediately. Mites can be a carrier of disease as well as a stressor on the health of your new snake. They can also spread to other animals in your collection (if you have any). Personally, although many others might disagree with me, I trust only Provent-A-Mite to deal with snake mites in a permanent and safe manner.

Please do read the can carefully. This product is strong and it is NOT sprayed directly on your snake.

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

Also, here's a good link to explain snake mites. I think you should always know your enemy LOL

http://www.vpi.com/publications/the_...of_snake_mites

Most effective way IMO:
1. Bleach the tanks/enclosures (not too much bleach)
2. While cleanin tanks place snakes in bath tub and let them soak for about 30 mins to drown the mites make sure the water is no hotter than 85F with a drop off soap(ivory works best and is ok to use on snakes)
3. After you clean the tanks give them a spray with Provent-A-Mite, the bleach should kill most if not all mites but its just some insurance!
4. While the tanks/enclosures are drying take the snakes out one by one to dry them off with a clean towel and to inspect them for any remainin mites . . . I use tiny tiny tweazers to "pick" mites out from under scales and out of the heat pits . . . This takes some skill as snakes dont like to sit still while you pick at them just be careful not to hurt the snake
5. Switch to newspaper if you dont already use it as substrate just until u get rid of the problem if you dont like using newspaper, i find that it is easier to spot mites and they have less places to hide
6. Place the snakes back in the tank/enclosure and keep your eye out for more mites, mites are nasty lil guys and can sometimes be stubborn to get rid of

the followin steps are what i follow and im not sayin do it or else, just tryin to help and let you and everyone else what worked for me when i used to rescue snakes

hope this helps and good luck!

White papertowels for substrate is also a great way to spot mites. I'd go with the Provent-A-Mite and obviously, as you've been told already, be sure to read the instructions. Check out the sites that Frankykeno provided, they're very educational. Good luck and keep us informed :gj:

Alright, so I ordered some prevent a mite.

For the time being, while I wait for delivery, I just gave her a water bath to drown as many mites as I could, cleaned and bleached the enclosure, replaced the normal substrate I had with some paper towels, and made an easy-to-clean tupperware hide. Afterwards I noticed a couple lingering mites on the snakes head, but with no easy way to remove them, have just decided to let things be until the prevent a mite arrives.

The only thing that concerns me now is the snake seems to be pretty stressed. I gave him a water bath two days ago, and again today, and he seems to becoming much more defensive whenever I approach the enclosure (she struck at me once tonight). I'm just worried that all of this initial handling so early on will have negative long-lasting effects on my being able to handle the snake comfortably in the future.

Being a first-time snake owner I guess I'm also not sure on what sort of posture I should expect the snake to have when it's in a more submissive state compared to a defensive state. She rarely balls up and she'll occasionally orient her head around to face the direction of my hand.

Nobody here uses NIX?

She is stressed, but there's not much you can do about that until you get rid of the mites. Don't handle her right now any more than you have to, and don't be supprised if she doesn't eat for a while. Give her a water bowl she can soak in, and a couple of proper hides. Once you get rid of the mites, start the settling process over again.

Where did you get your BP?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slim

Where did you get your BP?

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I purchased everything at a local independent pet shop which has a fairly large reptile selection. I'm realizing quickly that this was, all things considered, a poor decision. Regardless though it's my responsibility now to get this snake healthier and happier.

According to the shop she was last fed on February 28th and was just finishing a shed when I got her home. When would you recommend I try feeding again?

Mike you've just learned the sorry lesson of the "buy a snake get a free case of mites with every purchase" thing. :( Sadly it's far too common in pet stores and some less than reputable flippers or breeders.

Your snake is going to be stressed. The bathing, the upcoming P.A.M treatment, heck the mites themselves are likely making the snake uncomfortable. This is just what it is for now. Kind of like making your children take nasty needles because they need their vaccinations. Just deal with it as best you can then when it's all over and done with, start the settling in period over again. In other words, don't even count this difficult time as anything other than a crappy start to owning your snake.

Oh and just because I don't like to see pet stores get away with this. I'd take a nice sample of those mites off your snake into that store and show the owner/manager. Ask them if they usually sell infested animals and if they intend to cover the costs of treatment. They likely won't but they should know this is NOT an acceptable way to do business.