Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if anybody knew if you can use neem oil as a non-toxic pesticide on the snake itself. I have a slight mite problem. The neem I have is cold pressed all organic. Another thing! Can snake mites attack lizards?

Thanks,
Brian from the Redwoods

I don't like using any kind of oils on my snakes, natural or not. Personally, while cleaning the snake's cage with a 5% bleach - 95% water solution, taking care to wipe up all eggs that you cannot see, I let my snakes soak in a small container, Sterlite tub, with water that is neutral to our touch (aprox. 85 degrees) for about 30 minutes.

You can put half of a drop (very little) of diswashing liquid in the water to help break the tension between the mites' mouth and the snake. The mites will drown. You can also put a water bowl large enough for the snake to get into inside it's cage and let it soak itself. They usually will. Just change the water every day.

Clean the cage thoroughly again in about 10 days and soak the snake again. You can also soak it from time to time between cage cleanings. If you do everything right you should be rid of the mites within 3 cleanings.

Snake mites may temporarily suck on lizards but they generally don't host on them. You can use Equate Bedding Lice spray or Nix to spray the floor and surrounding racks, etc, as a safety barrier to keep the mites from spreading. Remove any/all animals before spraying near them, though. Once it dries you can put them back.

Best wishes!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

Thanks man! It helps when you can ask a few people's advice before you jump into anything. I have done everything you said so far. I just didn't want to do anything that my snakes and I might regret.

Later on!!

You're welcome! Sounds like you've got it under control, or, at least getting it under control.

I've seen some people say they've used some oils and I'm not knocking them, but, I'm pretty much a naturalist in the sense that I like to try to do things the way they do in nature, and I've never heard of anyone finding a snake soaking in a pool of any kind of oil. Just a lil' grin there.

Take care!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com