Mite Question...

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

You know what else works wonders? Tea Tree oil. Not straight though!!

If you can pick up a small bottle of it at walmart in the vitamin section and mix a few drops in warm water and rub it on your snake (not the head and face) its a great insect killer and helps prevent scale rot too.

[j_h_smith]

I have many colubrids.

...........and I have been using Provent A Mite for many years. Haven't seen one die yet........

Can you list the names of these potentially suceptible colubrid species? How many have you personally seen kick the bucket?

As for the Sevin Dust, I had no idea it was natural and I also had no idea you could put it on your snakes.

I learn something new every day!

All were babies and juvies. I think all were corn snakes. I never meant to say Sevin was natural. I was giving an example of other products that can be used other than Provent A mite.

Sorry if I didn't make my advice more clear.
Jim Smith

EDIT, I just reread my posts and I did mention Sevin as a natural choice. I made a mistake, I don't believe this is a natural item. But I do stand by my use of Sevin as a safe remedy for treating mites and other insects.

[Mike Schultz]

I'd be very careful with P-A-M around baby colubrids as I have seen it kill baby corn snakes. I only use Nix now and havent had problems with it.

I'd also say that whatever you choose to use, use that only- mixing different mite killing agents is probably more risk than it's worth when just one will do the trick.

[Crawdad]

A lot of old-school herpkeepers use Sevin Dust. Take that as you may, but it was a VERY common mite treatment from the 70s-90s. Realize that specific reptile mite sprays have only very recently come out.

[j_h_smith]

Hi,

I'm guessing it works the same way as coating ticks with vaseline - they can't breathe.

It will cause the top layer of individual scales to flake off and make a heck of a mess though. I'd probably try a tepid (86f ) bath first with a spot of dishsoap in it to drown them instead.

As for the garden dust could he be talking about that diatmaceous earth stuff?


dr del

I've never had a snake lose scales when using oil to treat mites. The use of oil is in itself messy, but after you finish the treatment, you use a soapy bath to rinse the snake. I used to use this treatment for a few years long before Provent A Mite was available in my area. I then used Provent A Mite until a friend told me he lost a few snakes when using Provent A Mite. I've known Rick for years and i know he's a great breeder and when he tells me something, I believe him. I personally saw a few snakes that he bought and died hours after being treated with Provent A Mite.


Jim Smith

[j_h_smith]

A quick google search and I was able to find this thread on another forum. This is just a sample of what I found. Read it and determine for yourself if you want to use this product. Believe me, I don't care one way or the other. Use it, don't use it, I'm just trying to pass along my experience (well at least a close friend's experience) to others. I'm sure there have been thousands if not millions of snakes treated with Provent A Mite without any issues. But do you want to take the chance with your snakes?

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...need-help.html

[dr del]

Ah,

We've seen quite a few cases where the top layer of the scales flaked off individually even when just using oil based cremes - it may be a specific type of oil that causes it but it definately does happen on occasion.

I wonder if it is a vegetable or mineral oil specific problem?

Since the water bath does the same thing and is a lot easier to clean off it seemed an easier fix to me.

Touch wood I haven't had to deal with mites since the mid to late 90's **taps head**


dr del

[j_h_smith]

I'd be very careful with P-A-M around baby colubrids as I have seen it kill baby corn snakes. I only use Nix now and havent had problems with it.

I'd also say that whatever you choose to use, use that only- mixing different mite killing agents is probably more risk than it's worth when just one will do the trick.

Thank you for expressing your experience with PAM, I know I couldn't have been the only one to experience this.

Take Care!
Jim Smith

[j_h_smith]

A lot of old-school herpkeepers use Sevin Dust. Take that as you may, but it was a VERY common mite treatment from the 70s-90s. Realize that specific reptile mite sprays have only very recently come out.

Thank you for explaining what us "Old Guys" used. It was very affective. A little Sevin, a pillow case and a snake is all you need.

Take Care!
Jim Smith

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I've never had a snake lose scales when using oil to treat mites. The use of oil is in itself messy, but after you finish the treatment, you use a soapy bath to rinse the snake. I used to use this treatment for a few years long before Provent A Mite was available in my area. I then used Provent A Mite until a friend told me he lost a few snakes when using Provent A Mite. I've known Rick for years and i know he's a great breeder and when he tells me something, I believe him. I personally saw a few snakes that he bought and died hours after being treated with Provent A Mite.


Jim Smith

I believe anythig can be harmfull if not used correctly

Like sevindust. Only use that on the floors around the racks and cages. NOT on the snakes theirselves or in the enclosures. Thats way to risky. I understand people may have used it on the snakes but I personally would not. That is just my personal opinion on using a strong chemical compound on an animal I am using to produce healthy babies.

As for losing babies to provent a mite. The directions clearly say to NOT put it directly on the snake and to NOT use in any enclosure that does not have bedding or substrate. (this does not mean newspaper)

You also need to let the tub or enclosure air out and completely dry (for at leat 15 minutes IMO) before putting the snake back in that enclosure and be sure the snake has proper ventilation even after that. Proventamite is only for treating the enclosure and tub slots. Not the animal itself.

No I wouldnt use it on a hatchling of any kind but if you follow the directions and do not cut corners at all, you should have no problems.