Mites? Uh oh!

A few weeks back, Hayden's eyes got all greyed over like he was going to shed and he dulled down a bit. However, his eyes cleared up within a few days and nothing shed-like happened after that.

I've just had him out and there were little white .. things crawling about on him. I'm thinking they're mites. Could they be responsible for the cloudy eyes and such?

Also, is there a way to rid him of mites without a pest strip? I really don't like the idea of using one..

His tank is going to be cleaned today or tomorrow sometime, and I'm thinking of switching substrates. [Coconut bark to newspaper] Could switching substrates help in the future "not-having" of mites?

I just had this problem...

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Originally Posted by lillyorchid

I just had this problem...

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Yeah, I read that, but I thought it might be something else. Mine are white and yours were a darker color.

White.. is it like a dust, or are the bugs themselves white? I think that mite feces create a "dust" on the snake; maybe it's that? Or maybe something from your substrate (dirt mites, plant lice, etc.)?

The bugs themselves are white.

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Originally Posted by resisted

The bugs themselves are white.

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You might have something from your substrate.If i remember right mites are a dark color there droppings are white.Its been so long since i have had the mite problems THANK GOD :D .Get some Prevent-o Mite after you remove the substrate and see how things go then.

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Originally Posted by resisted

His tank is going to be cleaned today or tomorrow sometime, and I'm thinking of switching substrates. [Coconut bark to newspaper] Could switching substrates help in the future "not-having" of mites?

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When I use coconut fiber for my frogs, the same white 'critters' appeared ! They are not snake mites! They are just bugs that appear in the soil. No need to be worried as they do not feed off of the animal. I believe that they just eat the fibers in the soil ;) .

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Originally Posted by _BoidFinatic_

When I use coconut fiber for my frogs, the same white 'critters' appeared ! They are not snake mites! They are just bugs that appear in the soil. No need to be worried as they do not feed off of the animal. I believe that they just eat the fibers in the soil ;) .

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Before I set to the scary and large task of cleaning.. are you sure? My dad's carpet python isn't on coconut anything and the same critters appeared. He's sure they're mites, but .. eh. They don't really fit the description.

http://lllreptile.com/info/library/g...h-snake-mites/

That say's they're either black or red, though..:confused:

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Originally Posted by resisted

Before I set to the scary and large task of cleaning.. are you sure? My dad's carpet python isn't on coconut anything and the same critters appeared. He's sure they're mites, but .. eh. They don't really fit the description.

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I know that the white critters that I had appeared out of the coconut fiber substrate. Like I said, they are harmless and if you are sure that they are the white ones that never stop crawling, then they are not snake mites. Snake mites are black, brown, red. I am pretty sure that your substrate just has other critters in it.

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Originally Posted by _BoidFinatic_

I know that the white critters that I had appeared out of the coconut fiber substrate. Like I said, they are harmless and if you are sure that they are the white ones that never stop crawling, then they are not snake mites. Snake mites are black, brown, red. I am pretty sure that your substrate just has other critters in it.

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Alright, thanks.
I'll give him a bath and switch substrates. Which do you suggest?

i used to have vernon on aspen bedding. but he got mites (dont know from where). i followed advice here and gave him regular betadine baths while searching for provent-a-mite. i finally got my hands on some, and cleaned out his tank. switched to paper towels. he has been mite free since.

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Originally Posted by resisted

Alright, thanks.
I'll give him a bath and switch substrates. Which do you suggest?

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I keep my guys on newsprint - unprinted in sheets, you can buy it from foodservice stores, or U-haul packing/moving stores.

It's a tiny bit absorbant, just enough to keep the "goop" in one pile but not so absorbant that it harbors cooties.

(Technical terms there)

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Originally Posted by resisted

Alright, thanks.
I'll give him a bath and switch substrates. Which do you suggest?

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I am sure that he would soak if they were bothering him, but those little white critters never bothered my frogs when I had them on the coconut fiber. You don't need to bath him or change the substrate because they are harmless unlike actual snake mites. If you are bothered by the sight of the white guys then just change the bedding (not necessarily the type of bedding);) .

Well, the bath isn't for the critters now that I know they're not mean. He's finally shed [two weeks after eyes cleared up..] and he has some shed still stuck onto his neck. and back.