Mites? Not eating? Help!

Okay so I got a male banana bee ball python off of Craigslist about a month ago..he still has not eaten anything for me. I’ve only offered him F/T though and the previous owner said he gave him prekilled. So I’ve been thinking that was the issue and was planning on going to get a live rat this weekend. Well the past couple weeks he’s been spending a lot of time in his water dish, not 24/7 but quite a bit. Now for the past 2 days he’s been in his water all day and is really active at night. I’ve checked him over a few times and noticed black specks under a lot of his scales but just figured it was bedding bc he’s on eco earth. Everything I read online says you will be able to see them moving and I haven’t noticed any that seem to move. I’m gonna give him another thorough check today but should I go ahead and treat him for mites even if I’m not 100% sure that’s the issue? His temps and humidity are correct and he has 2 hides. At first I thought he was soaking bc he was too warm but the warm end doesn’t get over 90 degrees? Need some advice, this is my baby and I wanna solve the problem and get him eating. Thank you

Check in the water bowl, if he has mites you will see dead ones in the water. look around the eyes and cloaca. take some photos and post em.

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Breeders pretreatment mites often, specially with a new critter coming in. Look in the water to find mites, if you have to pour it out on to paper towel and root around a bit. You will find them if the soaking is that often and they are there.

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Originally Posted by Christiantattoos

... Well the past couple weeks he’s been spending a lot of time in his water dish, not 24/7 but quite a bit. Now for the past 2 days he’s been in his water all day and is really active at night. I’ve checked him over a few times and noticed black specks under a lot of his scales but just figured it was bedding bc he’s on eco earth. Everything I read online says you will be able to see them moving and I haven’t noticed any that seem to move. I’m gonna give him another thorough check today but should I go ahead and treat him for mites even if I’m not 100% sure that’s the issue? His temps and humidity are correct and he has 2 hides. At first I thought he was soaking bc he was too warm but the warm end doesn’t get over 90 degrees? Need some advice, this is my baby and I wanna solve the problem and get him eating. Thank you

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You need to find out IF he has mites (if any of those specks are moving) before you try to feed him- since treating for mites is more important than a meal, & the treatment -IF needed- might make him regurgitate a recent meal. So first things first-

Many snakes soak when they have mites- but mites don't always drown UNLESS you break the surface tension of the water with a drop of mild soap- just a drop, NOT a "bubble bath"- and NEVER added to the water bowl they drink from- a soak for mites must be supervised by you, shallow water (not forcing him to swim, not over the snake's "height") about 82*, for about 25 minutes optimally to drown most* mites. (*some may survive by hiding around the eyes & chin & face of the snake- you do NOT submerge their head to drown mites!)

Black (or red or brown) "specks" should always be checked for movement on white paper & with magnification if needed. IF you think a snake has mites, you should keep them ON white paper towels for substrate for at least a month while eradicating them. Mites lay eggs in ALL natural substrates & even if you manage to drown the adults, their eggs will hatch out new generations. Mites reproduce exponentially (fast!) & can kill a snake from blood loss-shock-organ failure. Mites may also spread diseases. Don't under-estimate the danger of mites. If you find even ONE mite, throw away ALL natural substrate and any porous decorations- ie. things made of wood. If you don't, mites WILL return.

Here's a link to various options for treating mites, see post #2: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...hat-else-to-do

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Snakes also soak if they're too warm- you mentioned his home isn't over 90* but you didn't say what the "cool" side is? Best to check that too, in case. ;)

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Originally Posted by cuddlykhajiit

Breeders pretreatment mites often...

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True, but THIS snake came from CL (Craigslist). ;)

Thanks for the replies, I get home from work at 4 and I’m gonna take a closer look. His cool side stays between 75 and 82-83. I never thought to check his water bowl. This is the first snake I’ve had in years but used to have a small collection and once had a mite outbreak from bedding I got from a pet store. It’s been so many years I don’t remember what the mites looked like I just knew what was going on because one day suddenly all my snakes were soaking, I treated them with reptile relief and their enclosures with prevent a mite and i never had another issue..is this still the recommended treatment? It seems like so much has changed in the hobby...I plan on watching some videos and doing a more thorough inspection just wanted some more advice.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...Mite-questions

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Originally Posted by Christiantattoos

Thanks for the replies, I get home from work at 4 and I’m gonna take a closer look. His cool side stays between 75 and 82-83. I never thought to check his water bowl. This is the first snake I’ve had in years but used to have a small collection and once had a mite outbreak from bedding I got from a pet store. It’s been so many years I don’t remember what the mites looked like I just knew what was going on because one day suddenly all my snakes were soaking, I treated them with reptile relief and their enclosures with prevent a mite and i never had another issue..is this still the recommended treatment? It seems like so much has changed in the hobby...I plan on watching some videos and doing a more thorough inspection just wanted some more advice.

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Your cool side temps sound fine. And yes, when snakes that have mites soak, they often leave a few in the water bowl.

I've never personally used Reptile Relief but I've heard good things & would try that. Be very careful to follow instructions if you try "PAM" (Provent-A-Mite)- that's proven toxic to some, especially if instructions aren't closely followed. I've never used that either. I prefer methods that are least toxic, which is why I first would do a daily soak (w/ drop of mild dish soap) if any mites are found. That at least will get rid of MOST mites, & won't harm your snake one bit. The Reptile Relief might (with luck) be all you need to finish the job, along with careful cage cleaning, after that. I hope so, anyway. Current treatments- see the link in my post above from another long-time very experienced member & fellow mod here. I'm happy to say I've only ever had 2 snakes with mites, & that was long ago.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

True, but THIS snake came from CL (Craigslist). ;)

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Lol oh that wasn't saying breeders don't spread mites, some definitely do. It was me saying go ahead and treat for them. You know just fallow the steps properly.

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I've used both Jurassimite and Provent a mite. Jurass smells amazing imo lol but takes longer. Provent took one treatment, allegedly provent last 1 month and Jurass has to be applied every day for I think it was a week or two, I really don't remember as my snakes don't get mites often if at all lol. My reason for using provent for the second mite issue was that I got a new snake for my bfs birthday, the store said it was treated for mites and that they didn't see any and God were they ever wrong (they had to take all their reptiles down). I didn't want mites getting to my other snakes (even though they're more than 40 meters apart for sure lol so I did provent. Says to make sure it's dry before putting your snake back in. I mixed up the bedding with it, sprayed inside hides and all the fake leaves. I waited three hours just to be 100% safe and touched it to make sure it was dry (it was) and hoped for the best. The directions are pretty easy but my God did it ever cost me a pretty penny to get. But hey, my mites are gone. [emoji2370]

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Thank you everybody, when I get home I’ll take some pics while im looking for the mites.I’ll keep you posted

Okay it’s confirmed, I found mites. What kind of dish soap is okay to use?

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Originally Posted by Christiantattoos

Okay it’s confirmed, I found mites. What kind of dish soap is okay to use?

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Rats! So sorry-

I'd recommend Ivory liquid or Dawn liquid- the kind you hand-wash dishes with, never the detergent stuff you use in a dishwasher. Or even a mild liquid body-wash would be fine too- like I use Jason brand- Aloe Vera bodywash in the shower & I wouldn't hesitate to use something like that, or a drop of baby or puppy shampoo.

When you do a thorough cage-cleaning, be careful you don't let any mites loose when you dispose of the substrate & any branches/wood decor- get it outside, into a trash can & away from your house & snake. You'll need to stay vigilant- any eggs left behind can make subsequent generations in a couple weeks to a month, so just use white paper towels for a while- it's hard for them to hide, & helps you see those remaining. And don't forget, when you handle a snake with mites, a few can come off on your clothing too- so change clothes & launder after working with your snake.

Thank you so much, I took everything out of his enclosure and put down paper towels. I’m gonna let him soak with some soap shortly and I just ordered some provent a mite. I’ll have him together soon.

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Originally Posted by Christiantattoos

Thank you so much, I took everything out of his enclosure and put down paper towels. I’m gonna let him soak with some soap shortly and I just ordered some provent a mite. I’ll have him together soon.

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:gj: Remember he's probably had mites for a while now, so his dehydration could be significant- snakes cannot digest food if they're dehydrated, so it's just as well he didn't eat when you wanted him to since he might have just barfed it up- possibly even causing further harm. (Snakes can aspirate into their lung, etc.) I'd wait a bit after you've fully treated him for mites before you try to feed him- & hopefully by then, he'll have calmed down plus really WANT to eat also. I'd also feed on the "small" side- don't try to "make up for lost time".

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Originally Posted by Christiantattoos

Thank you so much, I took everything out of his enclosure and put down paper towels. I’m gonna let him soak with some soap shortly and I just ordered some provent a mite. I’ll have him together soon.

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Do you freeze or microwave your bedding before putting it in the enclosure?

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You can either put it into a chest freezer, or you can bake it in the oven on low heat for an hour, to kill bugs.

No I never have before but I’m definitely gonna start

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Originally Posted by Christiantattoos

No I never have before but I’m definitely gonna start

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It's definitely a good idea. Super helpful since my bf got mites from bedding once.

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