Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ive had a mite issue with an imported biak island green tree python. time after time i eliminate the mites with good old fashioned soap and water only to have a reinfestation every time i feed because she will only take live prey and i have deduced this is were the mites are coming from. slowly but surely i am acclimating her to frozen thawed mite free food but until then it is a slug fest with these bugs! I have started using natural chemistry reptile spray on the snake in combination with a pyrethrins based dog and cat flea spray for the enclosure. the flea spray is actually intended to be used on the animal but i am utilizing it on the cage.... and so far so good. my main issue is not eliminating the mites but actually preventing them. i guess i could wash the prey but the idea of soaping up a live mouse or rat seems a bit rediculous not to mention i suspect it would ruin the smell and the snakes appetite. please feel free to voice any comments or criticisms.
thanks
Jason

>>Ive had a mite issue with an imported biak island green tree python. time after time i eliminate the mites with good old fashioned soap and water only to have a reinfestation every time i feed because she will only take live prey and i have deduced this is were the mites are coming from. slowly but surely i am acclimating her to frozen thawed mite free food but until then it is a slug fest with these bugs! I have started using natural chemistry reptile spray on the snake in combination with a pyrethrins based dog and cat flea spray for the enclosure. the flea spray is actually intended to be used on the animal but i am utilizing it on the cage.... and so far so good. my main issue is not eliminating the mites but actually preventing them. i guess i could wash the prey but the idea of soaping up a live mouse or rat seems a bit rediculous not to mention i suspect it would ruin the smell and the snakes appetite. please feel free to voice any comments or criticisms.
>>thanks
>>Jason

Soap and water is not eliminating the mites. If they are pepper specks on the snake they are likely reptile mites that came on the snake and are reinfesting from eggs the soap will not kill and mites still on the snake or in the enclosure and surrounding area. Mites from rodents will not infest your snake. These are not the same bugs and if the rodents were infested by mammal mites you would see them on the prey animals. If the prey is coming with mites stop getting them from that source.

Personally I am amazed you haven't killed your snake with cat/dog spray. I have always used Provent A Mite and others have good luck with the walmart headlice spray. Safe to use on the enclosure.
-----
Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

my vet says you can kill mites and their eggs by drowning them in water actually. and if you use the search function you will find several posts by reptile experts including vets who use the same chemicals i have as well as frontline and proventamite and the like. all of these chemicals are dangerous with potential neurological damage occuring if ingested including proventamite. The chemical i used is extracted from chrysanthemums and should not be used on fringe toad lizards and invertebrates.

Yes mites will easily be drowned, however the snake's head will not be held under water long enough to kill all of the adult mites. Further, this does not kill the eggs and larvae in the enclosure. The soap and water method is excellent at keeping mite numbers to the very minimal, but as you have observed, it does not completely eradicate the problem unless there is a secondary measure used.

As stated, the mice are not a likely vector of the mites; unless of course you are buying them from a smaller producer that breeds them in the same facility as their personal reptile collection (that also has a mite problem).

Permethrins are from the chysamthemum flower (Don't spell check me, I always mess up these ones).
Permethroids are similiar chemicals produced by man.

If your vet recommended the dog/cat spray and showed you what concentrations they want and how to use it, then I'd feel comfortable with you continuing. It is described in the Mader text, albeit not backed by a lot of imperical evidence as these were fairly new products at the time of writing. (to the best of my knowledge; perhaps they're just new to the snake mite scene?)

When in doubt, I see no problem relying on simple products like Provent A Mite. It's not that expensive, has directions on the bottle, and has been used effectively by a large amount of people.

Ian

one of the techniques ive used that works for me because my biak is tame and doesnt struggle, is to gently hold the snake with just its nostrils above water. this way the eyes, which are the primary target for mites, are submerged. i hold it there for a minute or so then gently remove the dead mites from around the eyes. I also will use a mild shampoo containg lauryl a natural insecticide, my vet says its ok to do so. I then completely disinfect the cage with a detergent, as perscribed by my vet, thereby removing all mites in all their stages. As ive stated before im convinced the mites are coming from the pet store (big name chain) were ive been buying the live feeders. The mites are appearing usually within 2 or three days of feeding. The feeders are kept in the reptile room and i suspect young rodents are susceptible to reptile mites. Although rodents will not sustain the life cycle of mites i feel that they can sustain individuals for a long enough period of time to reinfest my cages. Unfortunately this individual biak green tree will only take live prey at the moment. Ive since started driving the extra distance to a more reputable mom and pop pet store to get my live feeders but due to the el nino effect and global warming we in the middle atlantic region were i live have been experiencing ALOT more precipitation then is normal and in turn the bugs are flourishing, ticks, mites and mosquittos are a problem. i myself contracted lyme disease. Good news: snakes are well! And still no mites!!
thanks everyone
Jason

Yes but apparently your techniqe is not working if they keep coming back. Use provent a mite and read label and follow all instructions and get your mice somewhere else and your problem will be solved.

I have a ball python. he just got mites and this s the first time i have had to deal with this. i used Zoo med Mite off that i was given to use and the problem is being taken care of. my snakes eyes have turned blue since he got mites. i dont know if this is normal or what is ging on. if anyone has any advice on this situation it would be much appreciated. thankyou

TattoosquidyV