Don't feel bad about this. I am treating my collection right now for a small mite infestation. Probably came in with a shipment of supplies from a large reptile supply company I recently received. I have not had mites for years.

Mites can be brought in by a new snake, rodents, cage furniture, and loose substrate-especially bark and mulch. That is one reason I keep snakes on newspaper. A trip to a reptile show or pet shop and mites will hitch a ride on even you. They are species specific and won't feed off humans but they are sure good at finding the snakes.



Mites have several life cycles or stages and their eggs can lay dormant for up to two years. The products you use are nice but not effective in irradicating mites. I also would not be oiling the snakes all the time. Get a can of Provent A Mite which will kill all mite stages including its eggs. The directions on the can must be followed exactly. I use Equate Beeding Spray from Walmart. Equate is $4 a can, Provent A Mite is $20. Equate is the exact same formula but does not come with directions for reptiles. Here are the directions:



1) NEVER directly spray the snake with Equat/PAM-that can kill the snake. The spray when dry is harmless to the snake.

2) Remove snake and water bowl from cage.

3) VERY lightly spray the substrate and cage furniture. I can't stress lightly enough as this is powerful stuff. Mites and other insects will die being just in the vicinity of Equate/PAM. Any live feeder insects or pet spiders must be removed from that room. No need to spray all over the cage or in crevases.

4) Let the spray dry completely-at least 30 minutes.

5) Place snake and water bowl back in cage.

6) Repeat process in two weeks and all your mites will be gone-until you bring in new ones.



Give the spray time to work and don't over do it. Equate/PAM is not an instant insect killer but works by dissolving the insect's exoskeleton and eggs. Killing the mite eggs is the key. Bill
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...three years ago it was just another snake cult...

The Retic is King.

Anacondas-the other Dark Side.

Afrocks-the dark side of the Dark Side.

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