Is PAM safe during a SHED?

[Psycl0n_B]

Got my provent-a-mite in the mail the other day, however Legion just started going into his shed phase (finally, I was starting to get worried haha). He has passed the "opaque" state and has been clear for about 2 days now I think, so im expected the actually sloughing to happen anytime now.

My best assumption tells me "no, it is not safe to use PAM for at least a week after the snake has shed." But on the other hand, I am getting rather worried about the mites.

Any advice?

[JeffJ]

Its fine because you dont spray the snake. follow the directions. make sure to remove the water dish. spray. let dry for 1-1.5 hours then put the snake and water dish back in. bam done.

last time i sprayed in my BP's enclosure he was in a haze. he is just fine

[Psycl0n_B]

lmao I came home tonite and checked in on Legion, I noticed he looked REALLY sleek, so I'm thinking, 'well shoot did he shed? I don't see it anywhere in the tank..' Then I noticed some brown in his water dish with the hole cut in the lid, I figured he'd defecated in there, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a perfect shed. hahah

So on that note, I'll be doing the PAM tomorrow.

[muddoc]

Then I noticed some brown in his water dish with the hole cut in the lid,

Just a note about water bowls with lids with holes in them. There really is no need for that type of water bowl for a Ball Python. In fact, I had a customer tell me that they had one of their Ball Pythons drown in a water bowl with a lid and hole. I personally believe it is not needed and I don't see the benefit.

As for the PAM during shed cycle, no problem. As Jeff stated, since you are not spraying the snake, and treating the mites on the snake, it will have no effect on them.

Just my .02,

[Psycl0n_B]

Concerning the water bowl, I'd started using the hole cut in lid method when it became apparent to me that I had never seen him soak in his open-faced water bowl. After I put in the one with the lid he started soaking at least once every couple days. Now I just use the open face bowl in the heated area of the tank to increase humidity.

Now my last question with the PAM would be...It says to spray directly onto the substrate, however I'm using paper towels at the moment, is that still ok to do?

[JeffJ]

Concerning the water bowl, I'd started using the hole cut in lid method when it became apparent to me that I had never seen him soak in his open-faced water bowl. After I put in the one with the lid he started soaking at least once every couple days. Now I just use the open face bowl in the heated area of the tank to increase humidity.

Now my last question with the PAM would be...It says to spray directly onto the substrate, however I'm using paper towels at the moment, is that still ok to do?

then again he may not be soaking by choice but rather he feels safer hiding in there.

never know. if the hides are sufficient then maybe he likes to soak.

[muddoc]

then again he may not be soaking by choice but rather he feels safer hiding in there.

never know. if the hides are sufficient then maybe he likes to soak.

EXACTLY. There is no need for your Ball Python to soak, ever. Unless there is a problem with the rest of your husbandry (i.e. cage too hot, no safe place to hide, mites, humidity too low, etc.).

Lastly, it is fine to spray directly onto the paper towel, just let it dry before reintroducing the snake.

Hope that helps,