My baby has mites :'(

[Zombie]

Well I proceeded to take out everything in the tank. I threw away his plant because that could easily be replaced. I soaked his hide and water dish in a bleach/water solution for 20-30 mins. I soaked the baby in warm water with a drop of Dawn while I did everything. I got out the substrate and also used a vaccuum to make it more thurough. I then wiped down the whole tank with bleach/water solution, let it sit and then wiped it clean and dry.

I decided to go with newspaper, so that's in there now along with hide and water dish that I rinsed with a jet of very hot water. I rinsed off the baby with warm water and then dried him off. I placed him back in his tank where he then balled up. Poor snake

As I had feared, I found mites in the snake's water and the water that I soaked his hide/water dish in. It looks like there are a lot of little ones. I will repeat this everyday and order that PAM asap. Thanks for the help peeps. I feel a lot better now that I've done atleast something. I'll post my progress in this thread and hopefully it'll get better.

Mite off does work pretty well for treating the snake itself. I use it for the snake and PAM for the enclosure. Hope everything works out for you

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[SnakeKittyFishy]

Well I've been repeating the steps I did the first night every day. I'm not getting paid until Friday so I can't order the PAM until then

Should I go get the Mite-off and start using it instead of soaking him in the Dawn/water? Or maybe alternate? He hates his baths :\...

From my observations, it doesn't seem that bad. When I soak him, I see 1-3 adults and around 10 or so really little ones in his water. When I soak his hide/water dish I find about the same. I look at the newspaper and see little to no mites on it. Is this a good sign?

[WifeOfSlasher]

Well I've been repeating the steps I did the first night every day. I'm not getting paid until Friday so I can't order the PAM until then

Should I go get the Mite-off and start using it instead of soaking him in the Dawn/water? Or maybe alternate? He hates his baths :\...

From my observations, it doesn't seem that bad. When I soak him, I see 1-3 adults and around 10 or so really little ones in his water. When I soak his hide/water dish I find about the same. I look at the newspaper and see little to no mites on it. Is this a good sign?

No thoughts on the Mite-off. Follow the instructions to a t if you get it.

I would continue what you are doing. Things will be fine. Now... I did read on another forum that equate, walmart, lice/bedding spray has the exact same ingredients and potency as PAM and its only $4 a container.

[WifeOfSlasher]

Treatment using no chemical agents

http://www.allboas.com/mites.php

I know its about boas but the same process will work for BPs

[roseyoungblood]

Unrelated to snakes; Dawn kills fleas. I used it when my cat's frontline just wasn't enough with superb effect.

[SnakeKittyFishy]

I have bad news. Today I just found mites on my other two snakes I'm so bummed out. I went through measures to keep the healthy snakes seperate but I guess it wasn't good enough. I'm supposed to order the PAM today, hopefully it arrives soon and 1 can is enough. I'm so sad... I want a hug...

[bioteacher]

Sorry to hear about the mites coming back... their life cycle lasts a little over 40 days, so there may be little ones developing.

If you have your tanks in a room with carpet, use a lice powder for the carpet (after removing the snakes from the room to let it all settle. If you're on a hard surface, like tile, spray PAM on a paper towel and wipe down the floor (just remember it's been treated and don't put your snakes on it - it's water soluble).

I also wipe down the top rims of my tanks with a paper towel sprayed with PAM - helps prevent any spread (If you mist, open the cage to do so, so water doesn't mix with the PAM at the top and drip down). I also hang Pest Strips in the room, but I wouldn't suggest this unless it's dire.

Soak the snake for 1-2 hours in warm water. I'll also add a little betadine halfway through to treat any open bites from the mites. Soak the water bowls and any cage amenities as well. It's also easier to use white paper towels as substrate - they make it easy to clean and black mites stand out.

Best of Luck and Keep us updated!

[L.West]

1 can of PAM will go a very long way - you should have more than enough with some to spare when you are done erradicating those mites.

Read the directions very carefully. Less is more when using PAM

Good luck with getting those little buggers.

I think most of us have been in your shoes - so don't beat yourself up over it - it just happens sometimes.

[SnakeKittyFishy]

Little update, the PAM is still yet to arrive here which bums be out but I'm doing my best to maintain the situation. My two larger snakes are doing good. The baby was looking bad, he had started his 2nd shed cycle for me but after soaking him and drying him, his skin just started shedding off so I went with it lol He looks so good! There is some left on his head, but all the rest came off. Also after soaking, I only found one mite left on him, up his heat pit. Poor guy :\ but anyways he was really active and seemed to feel better. I decided to put some pics up, he's keeping his yellow and developing some blushing on his head and back. Can't wait to see him as he gets bigger!

[SnakeKittyFishy]

I got the PAM. I have a question... it says don't apply in bare cages without substrate.. does that mean I have to leave their newspaper in when I spray?