Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok I didnt do the tape thing. They still look the same. Maybe a *little* bit better?? I have been misting his tank. He really likes that moist hide. And I saw him drink twice last night. (black lite- is this ok? I know its ok with geckos)

I got the Sevin dust, put it in a pillow case, shook it up and then put him in it for an hour. (while the tank was being bleached) Then I rinsed him off. I've read to rinse it off an hour later and I also read to leave it on the snake for 24 hours. Was 1 hour ample time? I will repete his treatment and his tank, even if I dont see any more but do you think that maybe because he was just brought here and was treated within 12 hours, that MAYBE it wont be that bad of a problem?

I seen a couple dead mites in his water since treatment. Do you think they were already dead from the sevin dust or do you think he still has them? Like I know with fleas and ticks they sometimes are still on a dog or cat after they are dead. Is that possible with snake mites?

I havent seen ANY crawling on him since. And the night b4 I seen them crawling on him.

I called the petstore. The owner is willing to spray him with P-A-M but that means another 45 mins there and 45 mins back, I think it might be too stressful on him. And for some reason, he would want me to leave him overnight, so I'd have to go back the next day. He said "I sprayed him with it b4 but his tank didnt get cleaned out" UGH!!!!!!

BTW.. anyone ever try those other mites that eat the snake mites? Where would one get them in the US?

Thanks

For years, the best method that I have found for removal of mites from a snake's eye rim region is to gently sweep the area with a needle. I have revovered dozens of live mites from customers "clean" snakes simply by taking a needle or pin and gently sweeping the eye rim with about 1 mm of penetration. I would qualify a snake for this procedure if I noticed that the eye rims were swollen at all (the #1 telltale sign of mites). That, an hour soak in H2O, and a tiny chunk of pest strip in the sealed cage overnight has always taken care of the problem. I haven't had to deal with that plague in years, but if it ever rears it's head again I'll take care of it in the exact same fashon. Take a shot of JD, or whatever will steady your hand, and dig in. Good luck.

Will

I've noticed that you're using green turf or carpeting in the tank (from your previous post). When dealing with mites, it's better to use white paper or paper towel as substrate so that you can spot any mites not on the snake. Also keep the snake enclosure as simple as possible during the quarantine period..... white paper substrate & water bowl, that's it. The more stuff you have in there, the more you have to clean & disinfect/treat. When dealing with mites, it is a good idea to treat for several weeks in case more hatch out from eggs. Here's some good info.....

http://vpi.com/9VPITipsAndTechs/TheWarAgainstSnakeMites/TheWarAgainstSnakeMites.htm

Good luck.
Eric

When you go to that VPI site, make sure you click on those three links (PartI, PartII, PartIII).

Eric

NIX,can be bought at any drug store or wal-mart,it is used to treat children for head lice,it kills mites and thier eggs,I have used this for years! it works.mix a table spoon of Nix to a 16 oz. spray bottle of warm water,.Spray snake cage and anywhere you think mites will hide.Good luck,Terry

...7-dust is hard to use effectively because it doesn't treat the cage well, especially the top of the cage where engorged mites will hide...No-Pest strip WILL get those mites...

also remember to meticulously disinfect the OUTSIDE of the cage, a tedious job, because the mites' goal is to spread out and infect more snakes...

RETREAT, using whatever method you choose, 2 weeks after the first treatment, and then 4 weeks...this is very easy to do with NO-PEST strip...use about 1"x2" piece, place in small bottle with holes in the cap, and sit it on the floor of the cage and expose the snake for about 12 hours...

Hope this helps!
Scott J. Michaels DVM
Serpent City

buy ivermectin solution at local farm and fleet or other farming type store...dilute 1 ml in 1 quart water...spray tank, snake, and surrouding area and anything else twice a week for one month. This always works, without the tedious cleaning procedures. Ivermectin is really effective and has no negative effects on snakes when used as a dilute spray, furthermore you can spray it on surrounding areas and kill all of the mites and provent them from coming back.