Just got over RI and now...

[dryates]

&&@&@@&!$&@ MITES, idk where they came from but I've already got rid of the forest bark, cleaned the tub and bowl, and put down paper yield, now I'm gonna do the water betadine bath, and hope it works, any tips?

[dryates]

Actually after some thought I feed him last Monday a live rat from a pet store and that's were I think he got it from, btw that was the first time I've ever fed him so I will attempt ft and hopefully he'll take to it like my other two snakes

[dr del]

Hi,

Order Provent-a-Mite and follow the directions exactly.

It works.

The female mite can travel a long distance before laying her eggs which then hatch and re-infest your snakes.


dr del

[dryates]

So I ordered the prevent o mite, in the meantime I just got done with a first nix treatment, hopefully it works he doesn't have very many mites, but I had to do something I don't want him to get a disease

[Freakie_frog]

FYI the Mites that feed on warm blooded critters don't get on reptiles, and visa versa.. are you sure the snake didn't have them and you're just now noticing?

[dryates]

FYI the herp specialist that I take my animals to says that he got it from the rat and yes I do know because he did not have them at the last vet visit and after he fed is when they showed up, I may be fairy new to snakes but I'm not stupid this animal came to me sick and he done nothing but get better, aside from the mites, which are already clearing up, after I noticed them the other day, sorry If I sound upset but I came to this forum to get help and better knowledge of snakes, not to be lectured at by peep with "experience" just because someone has done something for years doesn't mean they know it all, the fact is
Things change research proves things that everyone knew to be true false every day, all I ask for is help not criticism

[dr del]

Hmmm,

Pardon me for being obtuse.

But if the experience of others is of no value to you how are you planning on getting a better knowledge of snakes? Via any medium that is the primary method of learning.

Serious question.

You are right that the fact someone has done something for twenty years doesn't mean he knows everything - but it absolutely means he knows more than someone who has been doing it for 6 months. I don't want to sound mean but that is simply the truth. Practical experience helps.

Here is some excellent information on the life of snake mites. If you read that you will see that only treating one enclosure/ animal in the manner you have so far will be ineffective. You will also see why it is possible for the snake to have mites or mite eggs under its scales and be extremely hard for someone to spot even if they are looking for them.

Your PAM should solve it as said if used on all your enclosures and repeated 20-30 days later but the NIX idea, while recommended by some, is a little more demanding to make sure you do not kill the snake as well as the mites.

It is, to be honest, an example of the kind of "old school" home treatments that you are seemingly accusing us of perpetuating by not knowing the latest information.

And, while information is indeed discovered every day, online forums are more likely to be up to date than most of the other sources you will find.

A less risky alternative to NIX for immediate relief might be to let the snake soak (always supervised though ) in 84f water with a spot of dish soap in it to break the surface tension.

There are many ways you could have caught the mites as I'm sure you know - including from the vets ironically. Anywhere with reptiles in attendance recently is a potential source. It's why people can take extaordinary precautions after going to a reptile show or even to see a friends collection.


dr del

[cinderbird]

Rodent mites and reptile mites are host specific parasites. This means, that rodent mites will use rodents as a host, reptile (snake) mites will use reptiles as a host. For an extra fun fact, wood mites feed on wood and are not necessarily harmful to your animals but most keepers prefer their animals enclosures to be pest free (of any kind).

If you ordered your Prevent A Mite, waiting the few days it will take to arrive won't harm your animal. If you want to give him some relief, soak him in some tepid (lukewarm) water with a drop of dish soap. The dish soap will break the surface tension on the water so the mites will drown. Always supervise any animal in a soak.

PAM will work wonders, I LOVE that stuff. Pre-treat any new arrival (that is not an insect eater) and you are good to go.

[dryates]

Apparently people missed the point, I wasn't saying experience isn't valued, in fact I am a firm believer in experience, and although I don't have alot of experience in reptiles even before I got into it I could have told
Anyone that being as it may rodent mites are different then reptile mites, as someone stated above I was taking it as I am wrong and that basically I don't know what I'm talking about and that my snake couldn't have got mites from a rat, well infact they can, just because they don't "feed" off the rats doesn't mean a rat can not carry them an give them to a snake, it seemed like a shot at my ability to care for my animals, Im not asking for the newest thing I just want to know what works if u tell me Pam works then as a vet I believe you that is why I ordered a can yesterday, but since that's all you said and most people say the inshore products don't work, I figured I would try what other people say has worked. I'm not trying to pick a fight I was just asking for help not criticism, as previously stated.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I was just asking for help not criticism, as previously stated.

I failed to see where you were criticized by anyone. (maybe you are reading too much into what is posted )

Anyway

PAM is the best way to go regardless of the type of mites, if you have more than one snake treat them all.

Also consider changing supplier whether you have rodent or snake mites this is not acceptable.

I'd like to add that it is possible for one even a vet to miss the presence of mites as all it takes is one single mite to end up with an infestation 30 days later.