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Hello all,

I work at a pet store that uses a solution of half water half Listerine to soak mite-infested snakes. I have never heard of this remedy before, so when I was instructed to use it on our infested baby corn snakes, I was cautious and used more like a quarter of listerine to the amount of water. I was horrified to discover that all of the snakes that I had soaked were dead within 10 minutes. (I was so distressed that they ended up sending me home early) Now, I can only imagine that the listerine was what did the already-weakened little babies in.

My question for all of you is this: Have you ever heard of this remedy for mites? Is this something that normally works fine with perhaps stronger adult snakes, and it was just the small size of the babies that couldn't handle the listerine? The managers all say that they have always used and been advised to use this remedy and have not had a problem before. If anyone has anything negative about this remedy, let me know so that I can change our store's policy, even if it means donating a bottle of Black Knight and Provent-A-Mite to the store myself.

First off.. Listerine is an Oral Antiseptic.. NOT an insecticide so why it would work on mites would be beyond me...The vapors from it..and the alcohol are probably what did in the snakes themselves. Their bodies are not built to handle stuff like that.. and they probably all swallowed it in part which isn't good for a human so think what it does for a poor baby snake. You're better off sticking with proper mite treaments such as Black Knight and Provent a mite.
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Lucien

1.1 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)(Sutekh and Isis)
2.2 Leopard geckos (2 Blizzards (Caine and Goliath), 1 het Blizzard (Lilith) and 1 Tangerine Albino (Tequila Sunrise ...Tiki for short))
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Kiros)
13 rats
1 Gerbil
2 Dogs (Loki and Storm)
2 cats (Sahara and Hercules)

I've heard of this. But I don't think the solution was even that strong. It's not intended to kill the mites, the water will do that (maybe). The intent is to disinfect all the mite bites. I guess it's not a good idea.
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Martin Whalin

"It is foolish to let singleness of purpose deprive one of the joy and delectation of the many wonderful sights and sounds incidental to the quest."
-Carl Kauffeld
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Thanks for the input. I know they use it for mouth rot (which is ok, right?) and the larger kingsnake was fine after the soak. : ( Anyway, they took them all to the vet and the only one that survived was the one that didn't soak and the kingsnake. But the vet did advise against the listerine (obviously) and gave us something to spray down the habitats with for 6 weeks.

Using for mouth rot is entirely different since you aren't soaking the whole snake in the stuff.. you're just swabbing the mouth down with a dilute concentration. I can't even use Listerine straight to gargle with... I have to dilute it down at least to 1/4.. so I'm not sure what bird brained idiot thought the listerine angle up.
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Lucien

1.1 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)(Sutekh and Isis)
2.2 Leopard geckos (2 Blizzards (Caine and Goliath), 1 het Blizzard (Lilith) and 1 Tangerine Albino (Tequila Sunrise ...Tiki for short))
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Kiros)
13 rats
1 Gerbil
2 Dogs (Loki and Storm)
2 cats (Sahara and Hercules)

hehe I'll be sure to pass that along to my manager. : )

The good news is we were inspected yesterday and received a 100 on our animal health report.

It always amazes me what people will do. I'm talking about those who told you to do this - you are being honest and are asking for advice.

A good way to combat mites is to have a No-Pest strip type bug killer in the room to help kill mites walking around looking for other snakes, the to treat each cage and animal with a safe treatment like Provent-a-mite (follow instructions and don't get it in the snake's nostrils or mouth.)

Soaking in water is good for killing some of the mites initially. Listerine is a no no. I just can't believe someone actually told you to use even a 50/50 solution! They ought to stick their heads in it and see what it is like. Unbelievable.

Yeah,
I don't know who told them listerine worked for anything other than mouth rot. Maybe the directions got misconstrued somewhere in the upper ranks, but they know now not to do it, and I'm gonna see into whether other stores are using the same policy.
Right now the vet gave us Ivumec or something along those lines to spray everyone down with. The pest strips aren't such a good idea because the snakes are constantly climbing around and I'd be afraid of them getting stuck in it themselves. But I will see about getting a bottle of provent a mite for the store

We just got in a baby brooks snake that is SO aggressive that I can hardly change his water without him striking me. Any suggestions on how to calm him down, otherwise no one will want him!: ( and I LOVE kingsnakes....want to see him in a good home