Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just took in 1.2 BTS and they all have mites. Any advice on how to get rid of them. Also any tips on breeding? Do you cycle them the same way as you do with Austrailian pythons. Thanks

I doubt they have snake mites since blue tongues are not snakes and most mites are species specific. However, the same treatment used for getting rid of snake mites will work with blue tongues. Spray down the cages with Provent a Mite, use just paper towels for substrate, repeat treatment again in about a month and keep repeating it every month till no sign of mites exist. Two treatments will do the trick unless the infestation is very bad.

You can also carefully soak your blue tongues to drown most of the mites on it, just make sure the water is shadow enough your skink can rest on the bottom without his head submerged. A 5-10 minute soak should be fine.

I also suggest keeping each skink separate in their own cage. They are not very social and can easily injure eachother if housed together.

I don't remember if skinks have to be cooled or need to brumate to breed successfully, but that information can be found at:

bluetongueskinks.net/blue.htm
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PHLdyPayne

I know that the Solomon Island skink can get snake mites, so I believe it could be possible with a blue tongue. I have also rescued snakes who have had mites. I usually keep them in tupperware while doing treament. I usually cycle them between tupperwares every other day. I use the spray frontline one day, spraying it on a papertowel and appling it so as not to get it in the eyes or mouth, then wipe off in a couple of minutes with a damp paper towel. then the next time I treat them in 2-3 days I use snake oil. I also soak them for 20-30 minutes before treatment and I do this for 30 days. Be careful not to get the concentrated frontline as I have heard that this is to strong. Also use the frontline on the enclosure. throw out any wood or bedding that may have been in it. 10% bleach and water all ceramic/plastic bowls and hides and clean before reintroducung animals who are treated.

"I just took in 1.2 BTS and they all have mites. Any advice on how to get rid of them. Also any tips on breeding? Do you cycle them the same way as you do with Austrailian pythons. Thanks"

Very easy to treat safely. First, snake Mites & Ticks will tansfer to other animals: mammals & reptiles due to their necessity to gore on blood.

1. "Reptile Relief" is a safe product to spray directly onto the blue tongue skink(avoid eyes, nostrils and mouth areas)with light misting; not soaking. Direct contact from this product kills ticks & mites dead on contact! So basically lightly spray the skink covering head area with a clean/dry cotton towel while the BTS is in a "Rubber Maid" type container. Then spray a clean cotton towel with "Reptile Relief" using the towel to carefully wipe areas around the eye/nostrils/mouth areas to wipe off ticks & mites. You will notice dead or dying ticks & Mites falling off the BTS into the container; use a damp (H2O) cotton towel to wipe off the residuel spray.

2. "Provent-a-Mite": Spray in the cage, in all corners and vents of the cage room, and on cage wood furnishing (enclosed in a sealed bag) for up to 30 mins for pest irradication and as per label directions. Then open windows for ventilation to remove all traces of fumes. Note: do not use in or near rooms with Feeder insects! "Provent-a-Mite will kill all insects for up to 3 months at a time. Please ask other Reptile Specialty Shops, Breeders, Veterinarians, and call "Provent-a-Mite" telephone Information number to get all the information and questions you need answered before use!

I have used these Products many times with Veterinarian approval, 800 number-Product line Q & A, and Herpetological Club conversations with no problems what so ever. Better to ask as many sources as possible and READ the LABELS before use.

Snake mites will travel from one animal to another in search of food for survival. Hope this helps.

7serpents

I have always used Ivory soap and had wonderful results. I "soak" the animal (be careful of water height) for a few minutes to allow a drink if needed then add a "squirt" of the ivory soap. It coats the eggs which kills them and of course the water alone would kill the adults but I find a greater # of dead with soap added.
It is gentle and harmless as far as I have found over many, many years of doing it this way. For great "mite" info take a look at the Barkers site VPI reptiles.

Ginger
www.constrictorsrocklin.com