Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So today I found mites on my Cal King, Henry, ugh! I did some research and quickly went out to a local pet store and bought some mite treatment.

I'd really appreciate some feedback on how well I took care of the mites, because I definitely don't want them coming back! Here's what I did:

I took my snake out of his cage and put him in a critter carrier to let him soak in some warm water (Which he absolutely hated by the way!)

Then I washed his entire cage with warm water and soap, removed all of the bedding and everything. I also washed the water bowl and hides with warm water and soap as well.

Then I used the Mite Guard powder that I bought at the local pet store (This is the best I could find nearby, neither pet stores had anything better) under his new paper towel substrate (Switched from Aspen just in case... at least until I can confirm that no mites are still in the cage) and rubbed some on the hides and the water bowl.

I had kept my snake soaking in the warm water all of this time, so before I put him back in his newly cleaned and treated cage I checked him over and made sure there were no mites still remaining, he seemed clean to me.

So that's all that I did. Is there something I missed? Feedback would be greatly appreciated as I want to make sure my boy stays healthy!

get rid of the newspaper and put in white paper towels.This way you will be able to see the mites walking,clean the shelves also.In a few days clean everything again.I like to submerge eveything under water for several hours.that way if they are any little cracks they will be dead. It cost nothing and is safe.Keep a eye in the water bowl as snakes will rid themselves of mite by curling up in it.Look for little black round mites on the bottom of the water bowl.
Also think about where/how you got these mites.Pet stores can be loaded with them.
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"Wake me when its April"

Doug L

I am using white paper towels actually, I did mention that in the original post (:.

I did wipe down the actual place where I keep the cage too, forgot to mention that.

I have deduced that the mites most likely came from the pet store from which I get the mice from. I was already planning on switching to a breeder that is selling me frozen mice at a good price anyway, so this is just icing on the cake as to why I needed to switch!

I'm afraid to submerge the entire cage in water because I've got one of those permanent stick on UTH's and I don't want to damage that, but thanks for the suggestion.

I mostly did pretty well right? The Mite Guard is a trusted product, correct?

mites dont come on mice.Better wash your hands afer you get home anyway and DO NOT handle snakes from petstores.
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"Wake me when its April"

Doug L

Are you positive that mites do not come from mice? I'm sure I've read on this site that they can.

I have never handled a snake at a store, btw.

That cage is gonna have to be washed sometime. Now seems a pretty good time actually.
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1.0.0 Lampropeltis getula holbrooki
0.1.0 Lampropeltis getula californae
0.0.1 Lampropeltis getula nigra
1.0.0 Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri
2.3.0 Eublapharis macularius macularius
0.0.2 Rhacodactylus ciliatus
0.1.0 Gerrhosaurus major major

I did wash the entire cage, actually I just did not submerge the whole thing in water. I was very thorough with the wash.

Gotcha.

You might also want to fill the tank/enclosure up with water and let it sit for a day.........drown any mites that you might have missed.
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1.0.0 Lampropeltis getula holbrooki
0.1.0 Lampropeltis getula californae
0.0.1 Lampropeltis getula nigra
1.0.0 Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri
2.3.0 Eublapharis macularius macularius
0.0.2 Rhacodactylus ciliatus
0.1.0 Gerrhosaurus major major