Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I don't know what to do - I have an adult GTP I've had for about seven years that has always been very healthy. I keep him in a naturalistic enclosure with cypress mulch as substrate (as I do with almost all of my snakes). I always treat the mulch with Provent-A-Mite before the snakes go in - it has worked wonders for years. Not long ago I noticed mites on my GTP, as well as a few of my other snakes. I cleaned cages and used new bark treated with Provent-A-Mite. The mites have disappeared on all of the snakes except the GTP. I have tried soaking him, and all that does is drown a few mites and concentrate the rest on his head. I have increased the amount of Provent-A-Mite in his cage when cleaning it but the mites are still there and they seem to be increasing in number. The snake is otherwise very healthy and alert and eats like a champ.

I'd like to see these mites go away. I suspect that I need to change the type of substrate I use, though I don't like newspaper or expensive Repti-Bark. I'm open to any suggestions.

Thank you,

Joe

Aren't they a pain??? Well...with that being said, I'll offer my two cents worth. The substrate you use is great. But before I use it, I wash it, treat it, and then let it air dry. I use it on all my GTP's except for new arrivals which get nothing but newspaper.

Prevent-A-Mite is good stuff. Works great, I use it. But I also use a product called Natural Chemistry Reptile Spray. It contains Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate and Undecylenic Acid. These are very effective in the eradication of mites. And the plus side is, it is not harmful to the snake. I buy this stuff by the gallon and spray the enclosure each time I clean the cage just as a precaution.

Now...getting rid of your mites...completely disassemble your cage! New substrate, new furniture, new plants... everything.
Bleach the enclosure, rinse completely, air dry in the sun! Nature works best! The spray it with Prevent-A-Mite and close it up. Once it drys, re-eastablish your cage.
As for the snake. Soak him. Treat him with the Spray listed above. About 3 or 4 days after that, spray him and the enclosure again. Thats should end your mite problem.

One last note. DO NOT spray the spray listed above into or into the eyes and face of the snake. Follow the directions listed on the container.
Hope you find this useful
Andy

Thanks Andy! I had a nice long reply but I experienced a glitch - oops.

I will try what you've recommended.

Joe