PAM enroute :(

[meowmeowkazoo]

I could have potentially missed them when they arrived for all I know. All I know is they definitely couldn't have come from me since the only 3 snakes that are infested are the ones that came from bhb. I also got two other snakes from Patrick's personal collection whom were kept separate from the bhb snakes that also are not showing any signs of mites.

I have also heard it can take a few weeks for eggs to hatch...which is why you're supposed to re-treat with PAM after about 3 weeks.

It would be easy to miss just a few mites on a snake. If you're not certain of your examination, then that's probably what happened. Just a few mites that ended up laying eggs and producing more mites. The life cycle that was linked is similar to what I've read, and I've never seen any information that suggests the eggs will lie dormant.

Sorry to hear about your problems, I haven't had to deal with mites yet, but I'm sure it isn't fun. Hope they get cleared up soon!

[Action Reptiles]

Ok, I am going to clear some stuff up. I have never had mites in my collection, ever!! I had agreed to hold onto the 3 snakes for Leah's boyfriend as he didnt have anyway to properly care for them until he gave them to her. I received the 1.1 yellow bellys and 0.1 fire 2 weeks before christmas. All 3 were checked out upon arrival and appeared healthy and there were no visible mites on them. They were placed into one of my quarentine racks. The day before christmas I packed up the snakes (none of them showing any signs of mites) and gave them to Leah boyfriend. It wasn't until she contacted me telling me the yellow bellys and fire had mites that I went back and checked my QT rack with a fine tooth comb that I found about 10 mites combined between the 3 tubes those snakes were in while they were in my possesion. I have since treated the QT rack and all tubes, water bowls, and hides. Any mite that was introduced to my collection and hers came with the 3 snakes from BHB. Yes I should be treating all animals coming in with PAM, as this was something I over looked in the past, it will be corrected imediatlly(sp).

[WingedWolfPsion]

Have a can of PAM on hand, even if you DON'T get new snakes in. I've had mites turn up twice in the past 5 years--caught them very early each time, but the first time taught me that you want to keep the stuff handy, so you don't have to spend days worrying about them spreading while you wait for the package to arrive (no one sells it locally).

The first time--the origin was entirely mysterious. The second time, I suspect a wild garter snake that got into the house brought them. You could pick them up walking through an area where wild snakes have been present--on a bag of bedding from a pet store...or even just visiting a pet store. They can be a vector for disease, so always be alert--but don't expect that quarantine will save you from ever having them show up. I've never had snakes in quarantine turn up with them (so far).

Check for them routinely, just as you check for other issues.

[Skittles1101]

The PAM came in the mail today and I started treating, starting with the 3 with mites. I got about 9 out of 15 snakes done, I'll finish the rest after work. Hopefully by tomorrow we'll be mite free, I'll retreat in about 2-3 weeks to be sure.

[babyknees]

The PAM came in the mail today and I started treating, starting with the 3 with mites. I got about 9 out of 15 snakes done, I'll finish the rest after work. Hopefully by tomorrow we'll be mite free, I'll retreat in about 2-3 weeks to be sure.

Good luck! Hope this does the trick and I hope it doesn't spread to the rest of your collection.

[adamjeffery]

this is a must read by 2 of the most intelligent keepers in the hobby.
http://www.vpi.com/publications/the_...of_snake_mites
adam jeffery

[Skittles1101]

Good luck! Hope this does the trick and I hope it doesn't spread to the rest of your collection.

Thanks! I hope so too, I am treating everyone just to be sure.

this is a must read by 2 of the most intelligent keepers in the hobby.
http://www.vpi.com/publications/the_...of_snake_mites
adam jeffery

Thanks for that article, good read.

[satomi325]

I haven't come across anything that suggests the eggs will lie dormant, but if you find the source of that info I'd be interested to see it.

According to SnakeBytesTV, "Mite eggs can lay dormant for 5 weeks".

Candoia.ca states,"mites can lie dormant or fly in under the radar, remaining unapparent for months".

AnimalHospitals-usa.com, "immature stages of mites may lie dormant under scales or just inside the eye cavity".

I don't have access to many scientific journals, but I'll be sure to post more credited sources if I find any.

[Skiploder]

According to SnakeBytesTV, "Mite eggs can lay dormant for 5 weeks".

Oh the irony.

[satomi325]

Oh the irony.

Yup. Lol

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