I need some help....

[Crispy757]

I think I may have a mite outbreak in my small but growing collection. I would like to know some sure fire signs of a mite outbreak, I can't tell if it's just tiny specs of substrate or not. Thanks!!!!

[albinos_rule]

Tiny black specks floating in the water dish, or tiny black specks crawling around on your snake, typically around the eyes I think...

[Crispy757]

Tiny black specks floating in the water dish, or tiny black specks crawling around on your snake, typically around the eyes I think...

Every time I look the specs I see are never moving. Usually on the belly. Haven't seen anything around the eyes yet.

[albinos_rule]

If they aren't moving I would guess substrate.

[Crispy757]

I sure hope so, these snakes are my babies and I take great care of them. I wouldn't want to see something like this happen lol

[albinos_rule]

Even if it is it isn't the end of the world. There are things like Provent A Mite that makes them easy to get rid of

[Crispy757]

I'm going to get some today after work!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Look in the water dish, inspect your snakes (between scales and around the eye socket). Replace your substrate with paper towel.

In the future treat any incoming new animal that you place in QT with PAM (Provent a Mite)

And right now if you have any doubts just treat everyone.

[NH93]

Pictures may help us I.D.!

[bcr229]

Every time I look the specs I see are never moving. Usually on the belly. Haven't seen anything around the eyes yet.

Don't laugh, at my age (old enough to know better, but still too young to care...) I have a hard time discerning between a mite, a bit of substrate, a piece of scale, etc. on a damp white paper towel after I wipe down my snake for a periodic mite-check.

Fortunately a few years ago my daughter got this for her birthday:
http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resou...9?s=industrial

I use it more to check for snake mites on a paper towel than she does to look at everything else. The nice thing is I can even see the mites in their pre-adult phases, when they're almost invisible. I've cursed a few times because I saw a black speck, which then later turned out to be nothing.

There are less expensive USB microscopes & magnifiers on the market, but I like this one since it's easy to use and practically indestructible.