My understanding is you won't be able to actually see mites until you have a REALLY awful infestation, OR by fluke chance, unless they are dead at the bottom of the water bowl. It's been MANY years since I have had to deal with mites (THANKFULLY!).



I think Provent-A-Mite and the generic knock-offs are more pesticides than cleaners, but I don't really know, as the last time I had to deal with mites, the best treatment was to use pieces of "No-Pest" strip... which could harm your snake if used improperly.



If you have a decent internet connection (which I don't) you should probably be able to google some images of mites, if not snake mites specifically to see what they look like.



One of the common signs of a snake infested with mites (aside from incessant soaking) is a raised look to the scales that surround the eye - which almost give the snake an expression of "wincing" if you can imagine that. That doesn't happen 100% of the time though.



I think, if you are still worried about it, keep looking at the debris in the water bowl with a microscope, since you have one available, and look up some reference pictures, so you know what to worry about. I'm still inclined to believe that Kaa is going into a shed cycle (from half a continent away, and without any pics at all).



Good luck!



~Rebecca
-----
0.1 Dumeril's Boa '04 (Courtney)

1.2 Ball Pythons

[1.0 '05 Orange Hypo (Specter)]

[0.1 '05 Het Orange Hypo (Sylvia)]

[0.1 '03 Normal (Sue)]

0.2 American Pit Bull Terriers (40lb darling lap dogs:Brandy&Mara)

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