I have a baby albino nelsons milksnake. She had a very small bump on her that seemed to develop shortly after I got her. Over the last 2 1/2 weeks or so I've seen the same tiny black bug crawling on her. No other ones are ever on her...nothing ever in the tank, water dish, or anywhere else. I've heard that mites can reproduce and spread fast, so I bought some Mite-off and new bedding in preparation for the battle. But so far there is only the same single bug. I haven't had her out of the tank since I spotted the bug...I'll be taking her out tomorrow for a bath and kill that little lone ranger lol. But I've been able to check every inch of her carefully with a flashlight as she crawls around her tank, her belly, back, head etc. Nothing anywhere except this same single bug. After this much time shouldn't an infestation be a little more obvious? Is it possible she only came with the one, and maybe if I wash it off/drown it, or it dies naturally, then no breeding and no more? I've also been able to look the glass tank over pretty carefully...even from below....nothing. I REALLY don't want to use chemicals if I don't have to. And after 2 1/2 weeks of very close scrutiny, and only one bug of any kind/color seen ever, I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't use the heavy chemicals yet?
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A question about mites
Replies (1)
You can pick off the visible mites, and two weeks later, more show up. The situation is that mites lay eggs either on the snake (though more rarely), in the cage, or even just outside the cage. A snake mite can crawl a distance in an evening.
In fact, killing the mites and eggs in and outside the cage is more effective than anything. You do not have to use harsh chemicals on the snake, but you should on the cage.
I have no experience with Mite-Off. My experience is with Provent-a-Mite. I take out the snake, empty the cage, spray the cage, let it dry thoroughly (I mean thoroughly, no shortcuts here), then I spray about 2-3ft around the cage/rack on the floor or shelf. After a few hours I put the snake back. No more mites. Point is, I never put anything on the snake. I do like you did and pick off any visible mites from the snake, then rinse the snake in water, but that is it.
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Mark
