Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What's the best way to get rid of mites?

A local pet store reccommended to put the snake in a plastic box with water as deep as the snake is wide and put Betadine or Iodine in the water and let her soak for 3 to 4 hours. While doing this, bleach everything in and including the cage.

Is this a good idea?

Are there any side effects to putting a snake in iodine or betadine? Aside from staining them, would/could this create any health problems?

Marcus

I would disagree with this method. I take out my snakes, put them in a pillowcase. I spray the substrate and enclosure with Provent-a-Mite. I wait a few hours, replace the snakes and voila! All done!

What about the mites that are on the snake itself? How does putting them in a pillow case remove the mites? Do you apply this spray to them prior to putting them in the pillow case?

Marcus

The mites that are on them will be killed by this. It takes about a week, and is MUCH more reliable than methods that ONLY address those that are on the snake. You can soak them in water for a while before putting them back into their enclosure, if you like. That will take care of most of them.

Oh, almost forgot! DO NOT spray the snake with Provent-a-Mite.

Can't you rub them down with snake oil? I've never had to do it before, but that's what I was told how to do it.

I used Black Knight Roach Spray - it works just like Provent-a-Mite, just spray the cage (not the snake!), and they disappear. The ones on the snake come into contact with the residue left by the spray and are killed. Important - take the water dish out before spraying...