Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Some of you know I collected a very nice speckled from Sharkey County, MS. Just a little update to begin with. He's eaten twice on f/t rat weanlings. I haven't treated for internal flukes, worms, etc.....but he has an aweful case of chiggers(red bugs). Or at least that's what they appear to be. I have only had two snakes in the past to ever get mites, and I kept them isolated. A few days of Reptile Relief and the mites haven't been back in years. These dang red mites won't die! They are resistant to soaking, spraying with Reptile Relief, and alcohol. I guess I'll get a bottle of Provent-a-mite to take care of them, but I really just want to know what they are. They are not the typical dark gray/black mites associated with snakes. Are they just red bugs??

those are chigger mites and they are a bit more resilient than common snake mites provent-a-mite will work ive also had success w/ seven-dust(perythrin.spelling.)0.05% not 0.10% good luck,,,,,,,thomas

Thanks! As far as treating the snake himself......would this solution be the powder or the spray, and do I treat him or the cage and substrate?

seven-dust is strong stuff make sure you use the 0.05% and NOT the 0.10%(perythrin).05% is ok to dust the snake with avoid the face and i usually wash it off after an hour or so i then sprinkle seven-dust on cage floor(under substrate)i use newspaper as substrate, follow in a week w/a good scrubbing of cage and contents and there will be no-more mites, of course provent-a-mite works well also,,,,,,,good luck,,,,,thomas