Reptile & Amphibian Forums

this scar is the result from direct contact with provent-a-mite. The last owner of this snake did not read the directions on the can and just sprayed it into the cage with the snake still inside, the stuff just ate through the scales right after contact with provent-a-mite spray. As soon as the owner noticed this he took the snake out of the cage and soaked him in water. I own the snake now and he seems to be healthy, I would think there would be some nerological damage but there are no signs, he eats great, sheds fine, and has even bred since then. I thought I would share this picture not to scare people from using provent-a-mite but to show how dangerous it can be if you dont use as directed. thanks

-Dylan Keays
Pacific Constrictors

Pacific- constrictors.com

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what a jackass!

I have used Provent-a-mite in the past when my friends were extra giving, LOL, and have never had any problems with it. I also spray it directly on my snakes and have never seen a reaction. I even use it as a preventative occasionally by spraying it under the newspaper when I clean the cage.

I find it highly unlikely that this person relayed the truth to you. That scar, from its location, seems much more likely to be the result of a live rat chewing on it. Look how deep that wound was. There is nothing in the mite spray that would eat that deep. Go ahead and spray a little on your hands. The active ingredient is permethrin and has a low toxicity to mammals and snakes (yes it has been tested, even published). In fact permethrin is used throughout the world for personal mosquito control.

Another reason I am skeptical is because the wound was localized. If this guy sprayed the snake then why did it only react on the tail end. The head and eyes are much more sensitive to solvents and chemicals so why are there no injuries to these other body parts.

Like I said, this guy was probably too ashamed to tell you he left a live rat in with his pet boa.

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Rick Staub
R&R Reptiles

This was not caused by Pro vent-a-mite. I would agree this is the work of one hungry rat!!

Sorry Provent-A-Mite. You'd think I would know how to spell it since I've been using it for 4 years(with no problems what so ever, I might add.)

I have used this stuff for years with nothing but success. Although I read directions, I would never spray directly on or around any animals. If it chokes me out if I catch a little sniff when applying, it can't be healthy for anything to breathe. Scales are a lot tougher than human skin, I have had it overspray on my hands before and all I felt was a cold sensation from coming out of the can like any aerosol would. If it truly melted that killer boas scales, I would think it would eat right through human skin. I would say burn or rodent chew, probably the latter. Just my opinion and that is a very unique looking boa btw.

I have had Provent-a-mite sprayed on my hands and it caused no iritation at all. Provent-a-mite did not cause the scar on that Boa. The active ingredient is permethrin and many people apply Permethrin directly to their pets.
Jeff

>>I have used Provent-a-mite in the past when my friends were extra giving, LOL, and have never had any problems with it. I also spray it directly on my snakes and have never seen a reaction. I even use it as a preventative occasionally by spraying it under the newspaper when I clean the cage.
>>
>>I find it highly unlikely that this person relayed the truth to you. That scar, from its location, seems much more likely to be the result of a live rat chewing on it. Look how deep that wound was. There is nothing in the mite spray that would eat that deep. Go ahead and spray a little on your hands. The active ingredient is permethrin and has a low toxicity to mammals and snakes (yes it has been tested, even published). In fact permethrin is used throughout the world for personal mosquito control.
>>
>>Another reason I am skeptical is because the wound was localized. If this guy sprayed the snake then why did it only react on the tail end. The head and eyes are much more sensitive to solvents and chemicals so why are there no injuries to these other body parts.
>>
>>Like I said, this guy was probably too ashamed to tell you he left a live rat in with his pet boa.
>>
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>>Rick Staub
>>R&R Reptiles

I agree with the fact that Provent isn't the culprit here. I'm not sure a rat did that though. It looks more to me like simple neglect. Several bad sheds in a dry environment is my guess.

prevent o mite, no. Rat bite, maybe from the pic and the fact it is healed its hard to tell but Id bet money someone is lying to ya, Just my opinion, Jason
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Jason & Danica
Heads I win tails you lose. Get out of my way I am coming through. Roll the dice and dont think twice when we crush....crush....crush em...crush em! Now I lay you down to rest. You'll never be more then second best! Megadeth
Classic Dums

I personally think it looks like a really bad burn, but the information givin to me by my friend and by the old owner was that he sprayed him and it was almost instant reaction. Maybe it was an allergic reaction causing the scales to fall off or they are both full of it and lied to me because they fed it a live rat or there light could of fell into the cage and pinned the snake down and burned it. Any way the snake is in better hands now. when I bought them he could not remember where he got the pair from and he said he bred them and cooked 16 out of the 18 babies witch makes me think he burned the male. Here is a pic of the female I got with the male, she is perfect and has no scars at all

>>I personally think it looks like a really bad burn, but the information givin to me by my friend and by the old owner was that he sprayed him and it was almost instant reaction. Maybe it was an allergic reaction causing the scales to fall off or they are both full of it and lied to me because they fed it a live rat or there light could of fell into the cage and pinned the snake down and burned it. Any way the snake is in better hands now. when I bought them he could not remember where he got the pair from and he said he bred them and cooked 16 out of the 18 babies witch makes me think he burned the male. Here is a pic of the female I got with the male, she is perfect and has no scars at all
>>
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Jason & Danica
Heads I win tails you lose. Get out of my way I am coming through. Roll the dice and dont think twice when we crush....crush....crush em...crush em! Now I lay you down to rest. You'll never be more then second best! Megadeth
Classic Dum's frozen feeders

they are washed out so they are hard to see, one of her offspring had a full reverse stripe with no side patterns but it was among the 16 that got cooked.

>>they are washed out so they are hard to see, one of her offspring had a full reverse stripe with no side patterns but it was among the 16 that got cooked.
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Jason & Danica
Heads I win tails you lose. Get out of my way I am coming through. Roll the dice and dont think twice when we crush....crush....crush em...crush em! Now I lay you down to rest. You'll never be more then second best! Megadeth
Classic Dums frozen feeders

This looks a bit shady to me. I have been using provent a mite for a number of years on MANY herps at my wildlife center (every rescue gets treated and we have taken in 100's over the past several years)....not once have we experienced an adverse reaction as a result of this product (even when in direct contact). If you follow the directions you will not have problems; plain and simple. I cannot say enough good things about this product and feel it has really revolutionized the industry in providing something that allows hobbyist to treat mites quickly and effectively.

Rob Carmichael, Director/Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation

I know this snake and I know who had this snake when this injury occured and I have a bit more background on this situation and I am exceedingly skeptical that this injury is due to the application of Provent-A-Mite.
The prior owner was less than good at keeping their reptiles healthy..and we were turned down several times in an effort to aid them and their sick animals but we were turned down as we were told each problem was under control and the animals were recieving medical attention they needed. Actually one time the person took us up on our offer to help but that was once out of probably ten times we tried.
Interestingly enough, the same sick animals were suddenly healthy again and were already sold (not at the location anymore) to customers in as little as two weeks. So once again, I am extremely skeptical that the Prvent-A-Mite did that kind of damage. I'd say a burn or injury due to escape or attempted escape. At least the poor snake is alive and well now.
-Yasser
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"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
- Mario Andretti