Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a baby boa who I've had for about a month with a mite problem. I've tried soaking him for several minutes, and while it does drown a good amount off, there always ones that still cling on. As soon as I can get the soak thing figured out, I'll move him to a temporary home while I cleanse his house of them. Is there anything I can soak him in to sooth the bites?
Any input would be greatly appreciated...

I'm dealing with mites in my collection right now (Argh! first time in 10 years) so I've done a lot of reading on them. Check out www.vpi.com. They have extensive information about mites and treatment. Soaking your snake helps to get some of the active mites off your snake, but won't solve the problem. I read that soaking in slightly soapy water will get more of the mites off and some people soak their snakes in a weak Betadine solution, which may give some relief to the snake. Personally, I'm anxiously awaiting my can of Black Knight to kill all the mites in my reptile room. Good Luck!
Lora

Mites made their way into my collection for the first time this year and now I fully understand all the frustration that I have read in other post. Due to health problems, asthma, I cannot use strong smelling sprays like black knight, etc. What worked for me was soaking, first warm water for a few minutes then add in some soapy water and soak. Depending on how many mites are on the snake, I have soaked with soapy water from 1-6 hrs. Start with 1 hour. Then go to your local drug store and buy Nix. It's a head lice treatment and you can buy the big name brand or the house brand, Savons, Clarks, Eckerd, etc. The house brand is just as good and less expensive. Mix one ounce of this into a quart of warm water. Setup a sterilite or rubbermaid box, paper towels only, spray the sides and bottom. Now spray a sponge or small rag with the solution. Remove your snake from the soaking tub, wipe him down using the soaked sponge or rag. The next day, spray the snake and box but be sure to remove the water bowl. You can return the water bowl after an hour. Repeat the process of spraying and wiping down the snake every other day for a couple more treatments. Now just monitor the snake and box. Open the container every day, check the lid, under the paper towels, on the snake, and spray if you see any mites. You probably will not see anymore but keep the snake out of your collection for at least another week.
Good luck

I've had mites on my snakes on a few occasions. I've head good and bad things about a aerosol called 'Proven-A-Mite' I believe, I personally have purchased and used Reptile Relief. It's a little more than 1/3 the price of the others. It safe to be sprayed directly on the reptile and all the enclosure furniture and the enclosure itself.
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Thanks, J

I am dealing with mites right now also and I have been soaking them while I clean there cages with a 50/50 bleach water solution. I got a can of provent a mite today and treated there cages with all furnishings left in the cage, except the boas. So well see in a week or two how it works. Just make sure if you use this to follow the directions carefully so you dont hurt the snake. Matt