Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I discovered this morning that a couple (and therefore probably all 11) of my snakes have mites! I'd noticed that a couple of snakes had shed twice in a quicker than usual cycle and my Carpet was soaking in her dish, which she never does. Where the heck did they come from? All animals were carefully inspected and quarantined upon arrival. Stupid question... I purchased a pair of BRBs at the end of June that will only eat live mice. Can mice carry mites? I wouldn't think reptile mites would like mammalian blood and wouldn't hitch a ride on mice but I can't figure out how else the critters got here. I'm boiling everything today and bathing/soaking the snakes. I'll probably purchase some provent-a-mite or black knight today on line to spray my rack down with. All snakes are kept on white paper towel substrate with minimal cage decorations. I feel horrible- haven't had mites in my collection in 10 years. Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Lora

Unfortunately it is virtually impossible to guarantee a mite free animal purely through visual inspection. Your new arrivals may have been carrying just a few immature (and invisible to the naked eye) mites. It could take a few weeks for those to mature, reproduce and their offspring to then mature into easily visible size. Mice can be a vector for snake mites, picking up eggs or nymphs on their fur from an infested snake cage. Part of the risk from re-using uneaten prey. Human hands and clothing can also transfer mites. Caution and careful hygiene should be practiced after visiting pet shops, reptile shows or other private collections.
Mites are, at least, quite treatable although it can be somewhat labour intensive. There are certainly far worse things that new arrivals can introduce! Good luck with the treatment.

T.B

>>I discovered this morning that a couple (and therefore probably all 11) of my snakes have mites! I'd noticed that a couple of snakes had shed twice in a quicker than usual cycle and my Carpet was soaking in her dish, which she never does. Where the heck did they come from? All animals were carefully inspected and quarantined upon arrival. Stupid question... I purchased a pair of BRBs at the end of June that will only eat live mice. Can mice carry mites? I wouldn't think reptile mites would like mammalian blood and wouldn't hitch a ride on mice but I can't figure out how else the critters got here. I'm boiling everything today and bathing/soaking the snakes. I'll probably purchase some provent-a-mite or black knight today on line to spray my rack down with. All snakes are kept on white paper towel substrate with minimal cage decorations. I feel horrible- haven't had mites in my collection in 10 years. Any other suggestions?
>>Thanks,
>>Lora

I have 2 long-nosed leopard lizards that both had mites but one of them passed away (Not from mites). One carried it when we got her from the pet store and passed it on to my other one. we took them to the vet and he said to give them baths a coupel of times a day...maybe 2 times for a half an hour. It soothes them and gets rid of some of the mites. Also, we had to wash out all the screy and rocks that were in their cage....especially the log we had in ther ebecause their eggs might have started there. I tried to help them by taking some mites off but the vet just had to give them each a shot to kill the mites. slowly..they were cured.

Thanks for the reply. I bathe all new arrivals just to get them hydrated after shipping or travel and didn't notice any mites on the BRBs at the time. Like you said, they could have had eggs or sub adult mites on them. I'm leaning towards the live mice purchased from the local pet shop as the most likely vector since it's been 2 months since the snakes got here and only one month of feeding live mice. Live mice aren't a choice though, that's all the female BRB will eat- so I'll do what I can to control the situation until my Black Knight arrives. I just got a rubbermaid rack set up so at least I'm not trying to clean 7 glass tanks everyday!
Lora