Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've never even seen a mite before.
I came home from vacation and noticed some tiny red and black creatures in my rubber boa enclosure. Not on the snake. These things were fast running, unlike what I would assume a mite to be.
I qurantined the snake and cage from my collection.
What is the definitive diagnosis for mites??
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0.1 Rubber Boa
1.1 Eastern Hognose Snakes
1.1 Western Hognose Snakes
1.0 Durango Mountain Kingsnake
1.0 California Kingsnake
1.1 Woma's (new!)
Spadefoot
Black Knobbed Sawback
Northern Diamondback
Florida Redbellied Slider
Australian Redbellied Side Neck
Western Painted
Southern Painted
1.0 African Hedgehog
1.0 Sulcata
2.1 Leopard (Babcocki) 1.0 borrowed (thanks Bobby)
2 Plecos
2 Silver Dollars
3 Bosemian Rainbows
2 Clown Loaches
1 African Dwarf Frog
1 Khuli Loach
1 Cory Cat
1 Upside Down Catfish
2.0 Fire Guramis

uhh... I think that is it.

Without actually seeing them, I would have to guess mites. The first thing that I have noticed with mites, is that some snakes soak ALOT. Sometimes they get under the area around the eye, this makes it look swollen. Not all snakes soak, not all have them under the eyes during an infestation. The usually defintive symptom is little black bugs. I usually notice them in the water bowl first.

My advice: It is better to be safe than sorry. Bleach his cage. Put him on newspaper or papertowels and Provent a mite his cage.

Probably wouldn't hurt to do the other snake's cages too. Like I said...better to be paranoid and safe, then sorry later.

Without being able to see the critters in question it's hard to say if they really are mites or are indeed snake mites. Unless this snake is a new acquisition or you recently introduced something new into the cage that might have harbored mites, it's tough to say where they would have come from. Anyway, your best strategy is to purchase a product called Provent-a-Mite. It's produced by Pro Products www.pro-products.com . This is an acaricide intended for use on the substrate in a cage, not the animal itself. Follow the directions to the letter and you should have the infestation knocked out in less probably no more than a week, possibly two if you need a second application. I've used this product in treating snakes with active mite infestations as well as a preventative measure when introducing new cage substrates or items picked up in the woods like new branches and such. Incidentally, Provent-a-Mite is the only product licensed by the USDA for the control of mites and ticks on imported tortoises (potential heartwater carriers).

Good luck,
Matt Campbell