BP has mites. So mad at myself.

[Ballpythoncrazy]

I bought a ball python from Petco (first mistake. I know Petco is terrible but I was so excited that they had a ball python other than a normal and i told myself I haaadddd to have it) then I put it in the rack with all my other balls WITHOUT quarantining it (second mistake). I'm so mad at myself. I should've known better. I KNOW you're supposed to quarantine a new animal for AT LEAST 3 months. But I was so excited I couldn't help myself.

Anyways, the damage is done. I'm not going to dwell on the past and I'm focusing on the future. WHAT DO I DO. What are good products to get rid of mites? That kills the adult mites AND the eggs.

I also have two hatchlings that have been exposed to the mites, and I've heard that some mite exterminating products can be harmful and even deadly to ball python hatchlings.

Are mites deadly??

Lastly, can mites effect other animals? Should I keep my dogs away from the racks? And my leopard gecko may have been exposed. (If mites can effect leopard geckos and you know how to treat a leo for mites PLEASE SHARE).

Any info and advice is welcome! Thank you!


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[bcr229]

There are several products that I use for mite eradication.

#1: Reptile Spray, available online from Reptile Basics. Get the gallon, especially if you plan to persist in purchasing critters from sketchy sellers. Don't spray the snake with it, instead spray a paper towel and wipe the snake with the product. You will use less product, you won't piss off your snake (mine hate getting sprayed), you can get better coverage wiping under the head/chin where the mites hide, and you can check the paper towel afterward for mites. Use it twice a week. Note the date when you stop seeing mites on the paper towels, and continue with products #2 and #3 below for 30 days after that date to make sure you're also killing off mites from any eggs that hatch out.

Until it arrives you can soak the snakes in water with a tiny drop of mild dish soap added so the mites can't float; they will sink and drown. That will give your snake some relief but it's only temporary.

#2: Permethrin-10, available at Tractor Supply, Southern States, etc. This is 10% permethrin, ten tims as strong as NIX, but an eight ounce bottle only costs $8.00 and should last for years. Mix 3 milliliters P-10 with 2 liters of water (NOTE THAT DILUTION: 3 MILLILITERS in 2 LITERS) in a clean, empty 2 liter soda bottle and you have the same dilution as 1 bottle of NIX in a gallon of water, but at a fraction of the price. Use in the same manner as the NIX/RID - spray everything (tubs, rack, hides, carpet, walls, etc) except the snake and water bowl, and allow it all to dry before putting the snake back. Keep a supply of treated paper on hand so that when your snake makes a mess you replace the soiled paper substrate with treated and dry paper.

Once mixed in water and if kept out of direct sunlight, the half-life of Permethrin is 30 days. So, if you have solution that you made up months ago from the last mite infestation, dispose of it and make a new batch. The undiluted stuff in the bottle is pretty stable.

#3: Hot Shot No-Pest Strips, widely available. Some people say cut it into pieces and put a piece in each enclosure, I've never seen the need. Remove all of the snake water bowls because the stuff has a strong affinity for water and you don't want the snake ingesting it or coming into contact with it, it is very toxic to reptiles if they ingest it. Remove it from the package and leave it in the herp room with the door closed for 24-36 hours. After that put the strip into a zip-lock bag and close it tightly, air the room out, and replace the water bowls. Repeat use weekly. DO NOT USE IF YOU HAVE T'S OR FEEDER DUBIAS/CRICKETS/ETC AS YOU WILL KILL THEM TOO!!!

Note: none of the above kill eggs; for that, you need extreme heat or cold. If you have decorations that you want to salvage, wash them and then put them into the deep freeze for a few days, or you can run them through the dishwasher.

I also took a heat gun to my rack to kill the eggs that were in any crevices, the lowest setting on mine blows air at around 180*F, which is hot enough to kill eggs but not hot enough to damage melamine or PVC. You don't want to do this if you have a cheap heat gun that only blows air at one setting, those will blow air hot enough to melt glue and plastic.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I don't have time to beat you up over NOT QTing............. just slam the door on your head a couple times for me please.

The Reptile spray works great as long as you handle your business correctly. You can also pick some up at PetCo.
Everyone gets to play on paper towels and needs to be sprayed down on a regular basis. (I do twice a day on animals that have had mites)
You will also have to clean the tubs and rack every couple days.
Stay on top of it even if you don't see anything for a week or so and you should be good.
Not going to blow smoke up you though, they are a pain to get rid of.
Don't buy anything new for the next 90 or so days either.

Then again there are so many new people that know more than the rest of us.

[SnowShredder]

I love PAM (provent-a-mite). Just follow the instructions carefully since it is a chemical (let air out, take out water bowls etc). One $20 can has been lasting me almost 5 years, and lots of years left in it still. I'd say that's a bargain and bang for your buck. Usually works with just one application. The best product for mites out there imo

[ladywhipple02]

I will second the PAM - I use it for all my reptiles and have never had a problem.

[Rob]

PAM all day. Nothing beats it period.