Mites?

[olivv]

Hello, all! I'm Olivia, a thirteen year old from Southern California.
I have a pastel Ball Python under my care right now. Lately, he's been extremely lethargic lately, and not even moving to go into his hide. He's been spending most of his time by his water bowl, but I never see him in it. I don't really see anything on him, but I do see small specs of black in his bowl. I did the "white-towel-test," and I lightly rubbed him with a towel. I saw nothing. But that doesn't make me worry any less, as I want to keep my pet healthy - and I'd rather be safe than sorry, honestly. Could this be a serious indicator of mites? NOTE: Yesterday, I did see a few specs crawling in his cage, but they were extremely small and fairly light in color. (I didn't think much of it until now, putting it together with all of his previous behaviors in the past week.)
Quick answers would be profoundly appreciated!
~
Olivia Almeida

[bcr229]

Quick answer: Yes, it sounds like mites. Here's how to deal with them. Personally I prefer the NIX/RID treatment because you don't have to wait for it to be shipped to you like with the Provent-A-Mite, and it costs a lot less.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...it-with-AaronP

[olivv]

Quick answer: Yes, it sounds like mites. Here's how to deal with them. Personally I prefer the NIX/RID treatment because you don't have to wait for it to be shipped to you like with the Provent-A-Mite, and it costs a lot less.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...it-with-AaronP

Well isn't that ABSOLUTELY wonderful. I'm glad you replied though, because I really don't want to wait any longer, it's obviously stressing him out to the max.. Two questions I have.
1) What is the "NIX/RID" treatment? (Sorry, a bit new to mites here, if you couldn't tell. Haha.)
2) These things don't.. Feed on human flesh and blood? Because that would suck. Literally.

[olivv]

Also, how does the snake actually obtain the mites? I can assure you I clean his tank properly, and I also feed him on a week schedule. (Small rats) He eats every time, and when he has trouble, I turn out the lights, and he eats it. Could it have been what I brought home to feed him? I buy my feeders from prehistoric pets. It's a local reptile and feeder store. EDIT: Sorry, I didn't see that link. That is extremely helpful. I'm doing that straight when I get home from school tomorrow.

[bcr229]

NIX/RID are commercial treatments for hair lice, the 2 oz (59 ml) cream rinse mixed with 1 gallon of water makes a weak permethrin solution for killing mites. Read the link in my first post.

Most commercial pet shops get hit by mites periodically by infested reptiles they purchase as wholesale lots. Chances are that you brought a hitchhiker home with you.

[olivv]

I really appreciate you helping me out with this. Obviously he is under a lot of pain and stress, and I need to fix that as quick as humanly possible. My mom is going to pick uo the stuff I need tomorrow while I'm at school. Also, I have a 20 gallon Long aqarium on top of my dresser. Does this mean I have to clean all my clothes AND the dresser itself?

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[bcr229]

I really appreciate you helping me out with this. Obviously he is under a lot of pain and stress, and I need to fix that as quick as humanly possible. My mom is going to pick uo the stuff I need tomorrow while I'm at school. Also, I have a 20 gallon Long aqarium on top of my dresser. Does this mean I have to clean all my clothes AND the dresser itself?

No, snake mites don't feed on mammals. I would treat both the outside and inside of the tank so that if any have escaped and try to get back in to feed on your snake, the permethrin will kill them.

Also, a small drop of mild dish soap in your snake's bath water will help drown the mites. Your snake shouldn't look like it's taking a bubble bath, just a tiny drop of soap so the mites can't float on the surface of the water is plenty.

[olivv]

I did exactly what those steps told me to do. It was a pain, of course. But it's definitely better than having them come back. Thank you so much for your help.

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[bcr229]

Just remember you have to do it again every 7-10 days for the next month. Mite eggs can go quite a while before they hatch.