Mites? Not eating? Help!

[Bogertophis]

... Well the past couple weeks he’s been spending a lot of time in his water dish, not 24/7 but quite a bit. Now for the past 2 days he’s been in his water all day and is really active at night. I’ve checked him over a few times and noticed black specks under a lot of his scales but just figured it was bedding bc he’s on eco earth. Everything I read online says you will be able to see them moving and I haven’t noticed any that seem to move. I’m gonna give him another thorough check today but should I go ahead and treat him for mites even if I’m not 100% sure that’s the issue? His temps and humidity are correct and he has 2 hides. At first I thought he was soaking bc he was too warm but the warm end doesn’t get over 90 degrees? Need some advice, this is my baby and I wanna solve the problem and get him eating. Thank you

You need to find out IF he has mites (if any of those specks are moving) before you try to feed him- since treating for mites is more important than a meal, & the treatment -IF needed- might make him regurgitate a recent meal. So first things first-

Many snakes soak when they have mites- but mites don't always drown UNLESS you break the surface tension of the water with a drop of mild soap- just a drop, NOT a "bubble bath"- and NEVER added to the water bowl they drink from- a soak for mites must be supervised by you, shallow water (not forcing him to swim, not over the snake's "height") about 82*, for about 25 minutes optimally to drown most* mites. (*some may survive by hiding around the eyes & chin & face of the snake- you do NOT submerge their head to drown mites!)

Black (or red or brown) "specks" should always be checked for movement on white paper & with magnification if needed. IF you think a snake has mites, you should keep them ON white paper towels for substrate for at least a month while eradicating them. Mites lay eggs in ALL natural substrates & even if you manage to drown the adults, their eggs will hatch out new generations. Mites reproduce exponentially (fast!) & can kill a snake from blood loss-shock-organ failure. Mites may also spread diseases. Don't under-estimate the danger of mites. If you find even ONE mite, throw away ALL natural substrate and any porous decorations- ie. things made of wood. If you don't, mites WILL return.

Here's a link to various options for treating mites, see post #2: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...hat-else-to-do

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Snakes also soak if they're too warm- you mentioned his home isn't over 90* but you didn't say what the "cool" side is? Best to check that too, in case.