Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought a ball python, and when I got home, I noticed that he has mites. A LOT of them! I called the store, and the woman on the phone was VERY rude, and offered me no help, besides suggesting that I take him back to the store.
I am not taking him back to the store, because I'm afraid that they'll just sell him to someone else without taking care of this problem.

I'm pretty sure I know what I need to do to take care of the mites, but any suggestions would help. Also, any suggestions on what I can do about the pet store and their bad customer service? Tomorrow I am going to call their supplier and let them know about this.

FYI, I don't have any other reptiles, and the tank and bedding were new.

What works best for me is to take out the snake and put him in something deep, fill it half full of water and put three or four drops of Scope mouthwash, or something to that nature. Let him/her soak for at least a hour or so. While you are doing that, empty out that tank he/she is in and scrub the cage down with a mild bleach/water solution, let it dry well, and use newspaper for the next few weeks. Once a week, soak him in the same solution.

If the snake has them real bad, you might want to get some Betadine (or what I call monkey blood) and soak him/her in that also, (same mix as the Scope solution)

Don't get worried if you don't stop the mites right away, I have had to do this same thing with on of my snakes for at least a month.

Hope this helps
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collection list:
0.0.2 sulcata torts (3 inches and 4 inches)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Red Blood Python
1.2.0 crested geckos
0.2.1 gargoyle geckos
0.1.0 mini-dashound (the wife thinks this one is funny)

There are several good products on the market that work thoroughly, AND efficiently,...and kill the mites immediately directly on the snake. Maybe one follow-up, and they're GONE.

One product that comes to mind is called "Provent-A-Mite".

~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Go to LLLreptiles.com and do a site search on mites. They have products that work and a really good write up on dealing with the pesky varmints!!!
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats