Where do mites come from? Well, to put that question in the right perspective let me ask this: "What came first, the chicken or the egg? And where did it come from?"

Of course, that's in the "origin of existence" sense, but how we end up with mites on our snakes is just about as complicated, in-depth. One thing for sure, we know there's not a Mite Fairy runnin' around, even though sometimes it seems like it. I coulda sworn I saw one sneakin' out the door a few years ago, the last time I had a mite infestation.

Sara, the 4 possibilities you were given by others are the typical ways mites get transferred. "Transferred" is a keyword since we know they don't just appear out of thin air.

Mites are "host-specific," meaning that mites that feed on rats don't feed on snakes. However, a rat can be a carrier of snake mites. The mites could end up on a rat looking for a host (something to feed & live on). I know you use F/T, which will kill mites if frozen long enough, I'm just using live rodents as an example of how mites get transferred.

Just for a few examples, the same transfer process can happen with bedding, cage furniture (especially an untreated limb from the yard or woods), by humans handling infested snakes, and, from newly acquired snakes. Plus other ways.

The mite infestation I had a few years ago came from firewood. I kept a small stack within a few feet of a cage & that was all it took to create Miteville.

Generally, it takes aproximately 2 weeks or more before mites are noticed, meaning that once you realize you've got a mite problem, the situation has been going on for at least 2 weeks.

The lifecycle of mites is the same as fleas and you have to get rid of them same way. You have to break their lifecycle. A mite's lifecycle is completed in about 2 weeks. They lay eggs, eggs go through metamorphosis, morph into adult mite & 2 weeks later they're laying eggs, too. Many, many eggs.

Mites hide underneath a snake's scales. Yeah, you can usually see them crawling around the snake's eyes or under their chin but just because you don't see them by looking at the snake's surface doesn't mean they're not under the scales. It only takes a few under the scales to lay hundreds of eggs and create an infestation.

Beth, if you've only had your newest snake for a day or so, your mite infestation didn't come from it unless it was covered in mites, which I'm sure it wasn't or else you'd have noticed that many.

Mites and/or their eggs can get transferred by the keeper without ever knowing it. Like I said, it only takes a few and the eggs are a little sticky (It's called "survival." Ensuring their spread).

Stacks of old newpaper used for substrate is an acceptable place for mites to lay their eggs.

You have to be very thorough to get rid of them, just like you do with fleas. I got rid of mine quickly with nothing more than my typical cleaning solution of 5% bleach & 95% water. When wiping the bottom of the cage you have to wipe up all the eggs, not just wipe down the cage floor. I gradually turn my papertowels up as I wipe, to scoop up the eggs.

Ya'll don't beat yourself up about it, welcome to the club. It happens. Now, if I go check all my snakes and find mites, I'm gonna come back here & blast you, Sara, for spreading them, you already gave 'em to Beth. You don't have to share EVERYTHING, ya know. Ha! Ha! Ha!

Ya'll have a great day & a Merry Christmas!!!
Mike
(HH)
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

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