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It appears that a few snakes in our collection have gotten mites...we disinfected the enclosure with a household cleaning spray and threw away the paper towel and hide boxes they were using as well as rubbed down the snakes in soapy water.

Is there any other steps we should be taking???

Any suggestions???

Also, what the hell causes these little pests to be sucking blood from our snakes??? or do they just kind of happen on their own?

Thanks.
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Chris Vanderwees

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1.2.0 Bearded Dragons
1.1.0 Crested Geckos
1.2.0 Veiled Chameleons
3.5.0 Corn Snakes
1.2.0 Tokay Geckos
2.2.0 California Kingsnakes
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I once had the same problem with these little creatures.Since I live to far away from a real pet supplier.I did some online research about these pests and found a cure from a Herpetologist in Minnesota that works for the University.Since I couldn't get provent a mite readily I tried this and it works and did no harm to my snakes.
You buy Nix lice killer over the counter and dilute it 4to1 with warm water, mix it together with your finger.Just make enough to cover the snake.Rub the snake down with this solution and put it a container for 10 minutes and rinse off thoroughly.Put this all over the snake including the eyes but be gentle.The eyes are important .If you look at the snakes eyes you can see them crawling around the eye sockets and hiding behind there.Remember to rinse thoroughly though.I also washed ever thing in the tank down with bleach water and let it set for a hour before i put the snakes back in,and remember any time you use bleach water to wash it off and give the bleach time to disapate before you introduce the animals.My problem came from a snake I bought online but I was told they are found on wild snakes.Just some advice you can try,but it works.John