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  1. #1
    Registered User vintod's Avatar
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    Unhappy 2 questions: bugs in snake tank and rapid re-shed

    I recently adopted a 2.5ft female ball python (a few weeks ago). When I got her she was in mid-shed. I helped her along a bit with the shed by peeling the stuff that was on its way off (it was in lots of pieces - not a neat shed), and also spraying her with water over a couple of weeks. A few days after she was mostly clear of shed skin (this was 3 days ago), I noticed there were lots of little tiny white/grey/yellowish/tan bugs in the substrate (it was small gravel - looked like something between kitty litter and course sand), crawling all over the place but NOT on the snake. I'm fairly positive they are not snake mites because they arent on her body, and I'm also pretty confident that they are harmless. I am just wondering why I keep finding them after cleaning the tank thoroughly and changing the substrate to zilla brand green roll up mats. They came back after cleaning #1; within 2 days there were dozens (as opposed to probably hundreds or more prior to cleaning). Then I cleaned a 2nd time after 2 days, which was yesterday. I just saw one bug in there before i left for work today.. now I'm pissed. Any suggestions? Or is this just something I have to deal with?

    Second part that relates to above - after cleaning of the tank #1, I noticed that the next day the snakes eyes were foggy white - How could this be? she just finished shedding! I started to panic, thinking that the windex i used to clean the tank somehow damaged her eyes (yes I took her out adn cleaned each and every item in there with hot water) .. I know I vented the tank for a while and even washed with plain water after using the windex... so i dont think i did it. She also seems to be a little more "tight" - meaning she is flexing her muscles more, pressing herself against me and seems a little more tensed up/clenched up/rigid than usual. Is this normal when shedding? Its been a while since I had a snake, and when I was a boy I only had garters so I dont recall. I also worried that the bugs could have brought this on, but they seem harmless. I also noticed her body is getting a little faded in color, making me think she is about to go into a shed again. seems strange - any help on this? I'm so worried about her.

  2. #2
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    Re: 2 questions: bugs in snake tank and rapid re-shed

    Even though you don't think they are mites everything you say totally sounds like you have mite problems. ANd if they are mites your methods of cleaning won't be affective unless the snake gets treated as well. Just becuase you don't see them directly on the snake doesn't mean they aren't there. Having mites is what also would casue the rapid shed. If a snake has mites in the wild it sheds to get them off and then moves on. But in an enclosure once it sheds it cant get aways from the tank and they just get back on them.

    I would treat it for mites if it was my snake. And properly too. THe methods you are using to treat the bugs won't surfice. You need to use a product made to kill the bugs and their eggs.

    If it actually isn't mites that doesn't mean they aren't bothing the snake. If it is going in rapid shed that is a clear sign that it is bothing the snake.

  3. #3
    BPnet Veteran CoolioTiffany's Avatar
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    Re: 2 questions: bugs in snake tank and rapid re-shed

    Definitely listen to the first poster, there's some pretty good information there.

    As for cleaning out the tank, use bleach water. Scrub the tank with dish soap first, then after you washed that out scrub the bleach water around the tank. Wash out the tank thoroughly and make sure there are no bleach fumes that you can smell.

    IF you use a log hide, throw that out. Any external parasite can still be in that thing no matter how many times you wash it off. You won't need to use it anyways, not secure enough. Get a tight-fitting hide with only one entrance, that is more suitable for a Ball python.
    Tiff'z Morphz

  4. #4
    BPnet Veteran mpkeelee's Avatar
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    Re: 2 questions: bugs in snake tank and rapid re-shed

    sounds like mites.
    i used mite-off for treating my snake, and provent a mite for everything else
    A room full of empty racks and thermostats that have been unplugged.

    *Chris*

  5. #5
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    Re: 2 questions: bugs in snake tank and rapid re-shed

    Quote Originally Posted by mpkeelee View Post
    sounds like mites.
    i used mite-off for treating my snake, and provent a mite for everything else
    Yes, try products like this. No matter how many times you just clean your tank if you don't treat the snake the bugs on the snake will just keep mulitplying.

  6. #6
    BPnet Veteran mpkeelee's Avatar
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    Re: 2 questions: bugs in snake tank and rapid re-shed

    Quote Originally Posted by van_garret2000 View Post
    Yes, try products like this. No matter how many times you just clean your tank if you don't treat the snake the bugs on the snake will just keep mulitplying.
    and only PAM can kill the eggs which is the real problem with mites
    A room full of empty racks and thermostats that have been unplugged.

    *Chris*

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