Help! Oh please! Please! Help!

I found mites on my blood python when I was feeding him and then checked on my other snakes and found one on my spider ball python. I'm panicing! Can someone PLEASE go over the steps I can do now to help it? They are all in a rack so they might all have it now?

i would order some pam

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brett1489

i would order some pam

---

Where?

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...rovent-a-mite/

i would get some mite stuff at a petstore till the pam comes

here: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=46

and here :http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...rovent-a-mite/

Clean out all the tubs and disinfect the rack as best you can. Switch your substrate to paper towels if you haven't already.

If you want you can also gently wipe off your snakes with a paper towel. That sometimes will get a few off.

Other then that, wait for the pam and follow the directions on the can.

Temporarily soak the snakes in luke warm water with a drop of soap (to break the tension) to get some of the mites off.
Get PAM and use it on the enclosure, follow the directions precisely. Do not use it on the snake.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PythonBreeder

I found mites on my blood python when I was feeding him and then checked on my other snakes and found one on my spider ball python. I'm panicing! Can someone PLEASE go over the steps I can do now to help it? They are all in a rack so they might all have it now?

---

You can go to your nearest Petco and buy some "mite Off" for like $7 or so and it really works!!!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by psycho

You can go to your nearest Petco and buy some "mite Off" for like $7 or so and it really works!!!!!

---

No, it doesn't. Get PAM.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

No, it doesn't. Get PAM.

---

X2...

You already have a rack full of mite covered snakes. Use a proper mite killer and get rid of them.

Next time you will know to treat every new snake AS it comes into your house and before it goes into your rack, and to follow proper QT.

Bruce

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brett1489

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...rovent-a-mite/

i would get some mite stuff at a petstore till the pam comes

---

Brett knows all. Make sure to stock some sugar.

;p

I had a mite problem that came with my snake from Petco.

I tried all the other mite sprays, etc. but (PAM) Provent-A-Mite is the best thing you can do.
It's about $18 or $20 a can, but you don't need much and it works.
I have a display tank, not a rack set up, but I took everything out of the tank. I baked all the wood in the oven at 250 for 30 minutes or so and soaked the hides, silk plants, etc in a very mild bleach solution in the bath tub.
I also washed the tank in a mild bleach solution.
(Be sure to soak in straight water and rinse well afterward)

I used a white newsprint for substrate that I changed every few days (could see the mites on the white).

The mites will hide in little cracks and crevices, so make sure you take everything into account (even the digital thermometers got sprayed)..

I would soak my snake in a lukewarm bath every few days. I used an infra red thermometer because what feels warm to us with a 98 degree body temp is actually way too hot for your snake (you can see the mites in the bottom of the bath water..gradually become fewer).

I would go through this routine of washing everything in the tank every week for about six weeks. I sprayed a little PAM on the tank and everything that went back into it each time.

I probably went way overboard, but it was all out war in my opinion...nasty little buggers.

Even to this day, I QT my substrate in a garbage bag. I'll spray PAM in the garbage bag, shake it all around and leave it there tied up until I need it.

I don't put anything new in my tank without being washed, baked or PAM'd now.

this may sound crazy but the blue colored dawn dish soap works great. little on your hand and rub the snake down let it stay on for a few then wash them off. works like a charm.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nyraptor

this may sound crazy but the blue colored dawn dish soap works great. little on your hand and rub the snake down let it stay on for a few then wash them off. works like a charm.

---

AND if you ever come across a penguin who has played in an oil spill, you can use it on him too!! :D

So i'm buying pam in about an hour. What can I do now? I am already giving the said snakes bathes and boiling their homes with bleach.

Nothing you can do really, get them on paper towel or newsprint until the PAM comes in and treat all your enclosures. Even the ones that haven't shown any mites. Follow directions on the can for how to apply and use PAM safely.

Alright thanks guys.

I used reptile relief it not the best but it will kill the visible mite ( on the snake too). it not killing of eggs to my knowledge but will kill the living mites. and not harm the snakes. But you will need to treat all cages with pam when you get it order.

Also, are they all over my room now? Do I have to disinfect all my things, clothes?

First off, just relax. Not the end of the world for you or your scaly friends...if treated properly.

Take out everything from their enclosures. I threw everything away except the water bowl (which may have been a bit drastic, but effective). Take out whatever substrate you have and clean the entire enclosure (I used a new natural non-toxicWindex i found at the grocery store). Put newspaper down. Purchase some cheap mite killer from the pet store while you are waiting for the Provent-A-Mite to come. THe store bought stuff will work for about an hour then you will see mites start to reappear. I got mine off ebay and it was here in 2-3days. Spray the entire enclosure with the PAM including the newspapers, Let everything dry. Follow directions on can (duh). It may take a few days for all the mites to die after spraying the PAM (I think my pam was 100% effective after about 2-4 days. Try not to handle our snakes too much due to mite related stress. I would leave the newspaper in for about a week after you've seen the last live mite. This may be overkill, but i think it is a good way to make sure they are gone for good. Once you've re-introduced new substrate/hides etc, i would spray them all with PAM before you put them in the enclosure to add the extra level of protection. ESPECIALLY the substrate, that seems to be mite hold-out headquarters.

P.S. Some may tell you to take your snakes to the vet to get an ivormectin (Spelling?) treatment. I think that is (1) a waste of money, (2) Unnecessary if you are using PAM (3) Did i mention a waste of money? My vet wanted to charge upwards of $150 PER snake, dont think so Mr. Vet, i've got PAM!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Derteufel

Brett knows all. Make sure to stock some sugar.

;p

---

lol i know far from all lol but thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by psycho

You can go to your nearest Petco and buy some "mite Off" for like $7 or so and it really works!!!!!

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nyraptor

this may sound crazy but the blue colored dawn dish soap works great. little on your hand and rub the snake down let it stay on for a few then wash them off. works like a charm.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mechnut450

I used reptile relief it not the best but it will kill the visible mite ( on the snake too). it not killing of eggs to my knowledge but will kill the living mites. and not harm the snakes. But you will need to treat all cages with pam when you get it order.

---

All of the above will likely kill off the adult mites that are present on a snake. The problem is that they won't get the eggs. The eggs have a protective shell on them and those products can't get through that and kill the eggs. Mites have a 30 day cycle so you may well get rid of them today but hello guess who is back next month.

Get the P.A.M. use it exactly as directed (it does NOT go directly on the snake). Disinfect and clean the rack, treat it with P.A.M., lay down pure white papertowels as substrate so you can watch for any return of the mites. QT in the future and be careful of bringing home mites with you from snake shows and you should be fine.