Using PAM with larger collection...

Unfortunately I'm dealing with my first mite outbreak, and even after reading a million threads/articles, I still have a few questions! Only one snake was really affected, but I've found a few here & there in the rest of my collection... which currently consists of 29 snakes (pythons & colubrids), including 6 new BP hatchlings. I did order a can of Provent-A-Mite, which the mailman attempted to deliver today - I'll have to pick it up at the post office tomorrow. In the meantime I treated the affected snake & a few others with Reptile Relief, and have cleaned most of the tubs with my regular methods.

Now that I have the PAM, I'm trying to figure out the logistics of treating 29 snakes... I read a good article from LLL about the whole procedure, and they said "it should only take about an hour." But since they're talking about ONE snake, does that mean I'm looking at a 29-hour procedure?! :O I'm guessing there are more effective ways to treat a big collection, so hopefully you all can give me some tips.

My questions:
Do I have to treat (with Reptile Relief) & soak each snake, even if no mites are visible on them?
Is it safe to use PAM for the 3 week-old babies' tubs?
Should I treat the tubs themselves, the newspaper substrate, or both?
Do I have to treat the racks too? In order to do that, I'll have to remove ALL snakes from the room at the same time - not sure where I'd stash 29 snakes at once.
Will one can be enough to treat the whole collection? Should have asked that before I ordered it, LOL. :rolleyes:

One more thing... I was just cleaning Rosalind's tub, and found a poop with little white spots all over it. I do have a picture, but will spare you unless someone wants to see. Are those spots related to the mites? I'm thinking mite poop or eggs, but weird that HER poop is covered in them - whereas this particular snake doesn't have any visible mites on her body (or in the tub).

Twice a year (generally) when I go ti a show I do a preventive treatment (I am a bit paranoid but my paranoia has allowed me to never have mites.

When I treat them I put them in a temporary holding containers, treat all their enclosures (I do not treat the snakes)

I also spray the racks, carpet and door jam

Did I mention I was paranoid ;)

Of course all the holding containers are treated as well.

One can will be enough!

It shouldn't take you 29 hours and once can is more than enough to treat them all (and I would treat them all).

All it takes is a VERY light misting of the tub only - let it completely dry (10 minutes or so is all it takes - but make sure it's DRY) and add back everything else to the tub, including the snake.

If you use bedding other than paper, you might want to do a very light spray on the bedding - again, wait until there is NO moisture feel to the bedding before putting the snake in.

A LITTLE goes a long way with PAM.

Also - I wouldn't soak and treat each snake with Reptile Relief. I've only used RR on horribly infested snakes just to give them immediate relief (had a Craigslist pick up a few years ago that the poor critters were horribly infested).

The PAM is enough to kill the mites and any hatching mites.

With my collection of 12, I put each snake in a pillowcase or snake bag which is securely tied or rubber-banded shut. I empty each tub, I use Aspen.

If any tubs is very dirty, it gets washed first. I like to take my tubs out on the lawn, since they take up a lot of room. I spray a very light mist into each tub, and allow to dry for 30-45 minutes. I replace the bedding in each dry tub, and put the tubs back in place. I wash hides and water bowls while I'm at it, then when everything is in order the snakes go back.

Start to finish, it take roughly an hour to 90 minutes for me, and that is if I have to wash most of the tubs.

One can treats a LOT, since you only need a light mist. I'm still on the can I bought 8 months ago, and I've treated my tubs at least 5 times since then.

Gale

Thanks everyone! :) I feel much better now, knowing that I can simplify the procedure... still can't figure out how to store 29 snakes at once (I don't even own that many spare tubs and/or pillowcases), so I'll just do this in segments - one rack at a time. That means I can't treat the room or racks themselves, but it seems you all don't think that's necessary. Hopefully the tub treatments will suffice, if not I'll do a FULL extermination in about a month.

P.S. What do you think about my second question (regarding the poop)? And are you in agreement that it's safe to treat the hatchlings' tubs?

I'm not sure what type of rack set-up you have, but once you remove the snakes and tubs, couldn't you move the empty rack out of the room and spray it first, then it can dry while you do the tubs? Also, for the racks, you don't really need to completely spray them down. You can spray the Provent-a-Mite on a paper towel and wipe down about a 1"-2" barrier along all the edges. It's up to you...

Hope this helps, it's the same proactive method that I use now.
http://www.youtube.com/user/fgs9#p/u/34/lXBMgNXzgb0

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

I'm not sure what type of rack set-up you have, but once you remove the snakes and tubs, couldn't you move the empty rack out of the room and spray it first, then it can dry while you do the tubs?

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I thought of that, but with my bad back I'd have to enlist a friend's help... plus the snakes are on the second floor, with the other upstairs room about 3ft away. So they'd probably still get the fumes! I'll just treat the tubs alone, and re-evaluate in about 30 days - if any mites have returned, then I'll go through the process of PAM-ing the racks & room. Thanks for the tips!

PAM is fine for young hatchlings, I treated mine with it.

Have no clue what you saw on your snake's poop. If you use any type of shavings for bedding, it may have been wood mites I guess.

Gale

Quote:

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Originally Posted by angllady2

Have no clue what you saw on your snake's poop. If you use any type of shavings for bedding, it may have been wood mites I guess.

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I only use newspaper for the BPs, so I don't think it was wood mites. Guess I'll just keep an eye on her, and hope the PAM takes care of any eggs that she's harboring (no sign of live mites on her)... weird. :cool:

Whew... took about 3 hours of hard work, but I'm done with the PAM treatments! :gj: Here's how I managed the whole process, for those who might face this situation in the future:

1. Treat "holding tubs" (10 total) with PAM; air out for 20-30 minutes.
2. Place first group of 10 snakes into holding tubs, and remove their enclosures.
3. Place all bowls & hides in bathtub with dish soap & water to soak.
4. Spray each tub lightly with PAM; air out.
5. Rinse hides & bowls.
6. Replace tubs (with fresh newspaper substrate) in rack, add hides and bowls, and finally the snake.
7. Remove second group of 10 snakes, and repeat steps 2-6.
8. Remove third group of 9 snakes, and repeat steps 2-6.
9. Pray to the gods of no mites, and hope to never see them again. ;)

P.S. I did end up using the second bedroom for spraying, since I realized with the door closed & window open it was fine... especially after watching that Brian Gundy video, I see you don't need to be THAT paranoid about the fumes. :rolleyes: