Mites?!

[Samii]

Okay so I've never even considered Boots might have mites, except when I first brought him home.
However, the other day I saw a bug crawl across the side of his water dish. It was just the one. And it was about the size of a fruit fly, and it's that time of year when I see spiders and centipedes and nasty bugs all around so I didn't think anything of it. However, I was reading a forum and someone mentioned if you have a bark or wood substrate you're likely to get mites and not even know it. I use cypress mulch, because its the only substrate that keeps the humidity where it needs to be for our glass terrarium. I spot clean everyday and mix up the mulch evey week and add a fresh top layer. Then every 3-4 weeks I dispose of the mulch and after a bleach scrub down put down a fresh bag. I handle my baby everyday and I've never noticed anything, but I've just fed him so I can't even take him out to inspect for a day or two. So I was just curious as to any opinions anyone has. I don't think he has mites, but how can I be sure? And if I remain completely insure is it safe to treat him anyways? Finally what is the treatment you recommend?

[TheSnakeGuy]

If you suspect you have mites the best way to tell is to remove all the substrate and put the snake on paper towels. This will let you see any that fall off the snake. Also look in the water bowl as your snake soaking means it's trying to drown the mites. It is safe when using the proper methods to pre-treat your enclosure for mites. I've heard of some owners doing a monthly treatment for mites and/or treating their cages whenever a new arrival is brought into the home. When you see them the mites will be very small, round bodied, and slightly red tinted. You may need to add a second water bowl with a big ball of paper towels in it to help keep your humidity up. For the real problem I recommend ordering a can of "Provent-a-Mite"(also known on the forum as PAM), it is a time tested, reptile safe, killer of mites. I have had mites twice in the last year and PAM knocked them out in just a few weeks. Don't go looking for an overnight cure of mites because if you did find it I'm sure it wouldn't be made for or safe for reptiles. Here's a link to where I purchased mine from. After some research it really was the cheapest I could find, and it's WORTH IT. I hope this helps you GOOD LUCK

http://www.pro-products.com/index.ph...d=53&Itemid=59

[Samii]

Alright this morning I did find little bugs crawling around the cage after removing a handful of substrate. However I have yet to find any on him and he has not been soaking, nor so I see any in the water dish. Also, they are like little gray bugs more oval shaped. I'm not sure they're mites, but I will start treatment tonight. So If I find any on him, what treatment do I use?

[TheSnakeGuy]

The method used with PAM is soak your snake in warm water while you treat the cage. You don't actually treat the animal, just the terrarium/tub and they all die. It takes several treatments.

[satomi325]

Could just be harmless wood mites if you say its from the substrate. Its just the snake mites that are harm full. Snake mites look like black poppy seeds.

Provent-a-Mite is best to use. Aka PAM.
As for the snake, you can soak it with a drop or two of dish soap.

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[Samii]

Thanks guys, if I can get ahold of any of the bugs to take a picture I will. I'm going to thoroughly check Boots again tonight and probably do a soak. If it is in fact wood mites, I'll probably switch substrates in the future. I was using the cypress mulch because it was doing great at helping my humidity stay up, without holding moisture on the ground so I didn't risk scale rot. Does anyone have any similar substrates to suggest?

[KMG]

I use Forest Floor cypress mulch substrate. I have always been happy with it.

Also check out Reptile Spray. Its sold at Petco for about $8, it will clean anything and can be used directly on your snake. I Have only had mites once but Reptile Spray killed them in one treatment in less time and for less money than PAM.

http://m.petco.com/product/109610/Na...ile-Spray.aspx

[Samii]

I use Forest Floor cypress mulch substrate. I have always been happy with it.

Also check out Reptile Spray. Its sold at Petco for about $8, it will clean anything and can be used directly on your snake. I Have only had mites once but Reptile Spray killed them in one treatment in less time and for less money than PAM.

http://m.petco.com/product/109610/Na...ile-Spray.aspx

Thank you tons! That's much more my current budget and I'm always at Petco! That's the one I use as well, and I really like it. At this point I'm positive they're not wood mites, so I'm not worried about the substrate. However I'm curious how mites even entered the picture then?