Mites and the Heebie Jeebies.

[AzureN1ght]

My friend here at school, Jaime has a rough green snake (at PetCo, where she bought him, they called it a "Florida Green Snake", but I believe they're the same thing). She bought him around the middle of last semester.

I was with her when she bought him and she named him Midori. She discovered shortly after bringing him home that he had mites (anyone shocked that a snake purchased from PetCo had mites? ). She used Reptile Relief to treat the tank, the accessories and she treated him.

Her setup was apparantly mite-free after than and through break, and when I was over there last night, she said that she had seen mites in his water bowl. She said she noticed the week before coming back to school--so he's had mites again for at least 3 weeks...

She said she hadn't seen any actually -on- him, but when I went and peeked into his enclosure, we both spotted some under his scales I advised that she either treat him and his enclosure again with Reptile Relief, being sure to get every nook and crannie--or to order Provent-a-Mite off the net and do the same, since that's what all of the people on the forums I post to (that being BP.net) swear by.

She asked if I wanted to hold him and I said no--even though under normal circumstances I would. I'm bringing Auryn home this coming Friday and the idea that he could somehow get mites just from my being in her -apartment- has given me the creeps! Nevermind actually handling a mitey reptile!

O.O Are my heebie-jeebies unwarranted? Is it likely I brought home mites just from being in her apartment, with no contact between myself and the reptile or enclosure?

[elevatethis]

There's a 45 second clip floating around out there with behavior far more neurotic than how you reacted!

[longviewbplover]

It is possible to bring them home with out ever touching the snake, I've been told.They could attach themselves to your clothes or shoes. Might not be a bad idea to do a lil preventive spraying.

[elevatethis]

I would have stripped naked at my doorstep, and put my clothes straight into the wash. Sorry neighbors...

[cassandra]

Let's say it all together...Provent-a-Mite...get yourself a can, get your friend a can (or heck, go halfies on one, treat her place and then yours)...follow the directions on the can and she'll get rid of hers and if you brought any home, they'll be dead as doornails...

[recycling goddess]

here's what i do... i use preventive mtce.

i spray all my enclosures with Provent-A-Mite (PAM) whenever they come into my home. this way... if they have mites... they are gone. i suggest you do the same with your snake.

and reptile relief does not kill eggs... so she needs to use PAM in order to remove the infestation.

[lillyorchid]

Cass said it best!