Hello!

Well, I recently purchased two adult female ball pythons (lesser and mojave) from a breeder on a private reptile bidding forum on facebook. Now, I got VERY good prices on the two snakes, but one thing I did not expect to get along with them was mites.

I have dealt with mites before on one of my other ball pythons (she got it from a feeder mouse that I bought at a HORRIBLE pet shop...they were cheap). I soaked her in a betadine/water solution a few times a day for 20-30 minutes and then cleaned her cage. It worked, but it was very slow.

The two females that have them are now being soaked while their cages are being disinfected (bleach).

I wanted to know if there is anything I could do MORE than the betadine?

Also, I have only had the snakes for about a week and they are still quite skiddish and head-shy. When my other female had mites around her face I felt very comfortable touching her face and cleaning it up because she was use to me and didn't mind. But these females aren't and I do not feel comfortable putting my hands in their faces. Ideas?