How worried should I be? (mites)

[unspecified42]

I just had two new snakes shipped and found mites on one of them (among other health problems. I am NOT happy!). He shipped in the same box, separate bag with another, but both have been in their own tanks since arrival earlier this week.

I've never had mites before, so I'm not sure how contagious they are. Currently all the snakes are in seperate tubs or tanks, but in the same immedate area. Do I need to worry about the others, or just the one he was shipped with?

Also, what have you found to be the best product for treatment?

Thanks in advance!

[Kaorte]

I would quarantine the new snakes immediately. That means different rooms, different equipment and no contact at all with the other snakes.

Then I would order some provent-a-mite (PAM) and treat all of the enclosures. Keep the new animals separate for at least 30 days. Treat with PAM again and wait another few weeks to ensure the mites are gone.

[mrmertz]

There is only one remedy that works, Provent-A-Mite. Don't even waste your time or money with anything else. Female mites can crawl an average of 11 inches PER MINUTE. That will give you an idea of what you are up against. We just went throught all of this when our blood came in with them - only we didn't catch them like you did. Good call.

If you want to learn a lot more;
http://www.vpi.com/publications/the_...of_snake_mites

Hope this helps.