early signs of mites

[peterm15]

after searching through MANY posts (4 pages) and comming up empty i decided to post my question...

without actually seeing mites is there any way to tell if you have them.... i dont believe i have any but i would like to know the early warnings just in case the problem ever arises...

the only info that i could find is how to kill them... so any help is great...

in case this helps i have a veild cham, 2 leos, and a central american banded gocko.. and soon to have a few cresties... but i would like to know any symptons for any species... snakes, moniters, ect. ect...

thanks for any replies and help...

[Manitoban Herps]

They may lose the appetiete slightly and you will see white dust all over the animal.

[Linds]

Bascially if you are seeing any 'other' signs, then your snake is already infested enough that you should be able to find one.

Some of the signs that may or may not be present during an infestation (other than seeing the mites themselves) include frequent shedding, decreased appettite, irritability, soaking, raised scales, 'sunken eyes', and in severe infestations - internal bleeding which can be seen in the throat.

[peterm15]

wow.... well i know what to look out for now... thanks.. anything else... and i guess withn what linds said that its prob quite the same for lizards?... thanks forthe info guys

[gonesnakee]

Snake mites are host specific, meaning that they only infect snakes. Lack of appetite, increased shedding cycles, constant soaking etc. Can be signs, but usually you will see them (or should!) before it comes to that. The water dish is usually the best indicator as it will often have some floating in it that drown there. Don't know much about other mites though. Mark

[joebagadohnut]

As already mentioned, if you start seeing signs, you are already infected and have to do the same treatment if you find 1 mite and if you find 1000 mites.

When my snake had mites, the first thing I noticed was less activity levels and soaking in his water dish. Then came the fact he wouldn't eat and I could see little mites in his water.

two weeks later, after a few treatments, he was fine and eating again.

I know some people that treat their reptiles every few months just to prevent mites....it's a precautionary thing.

Jeremy.

[Linds]

Originally posted by gonesnakee
Snake mites are host specific, meaning that they only infect snakes.

Snake mites (black) are herp-specific, meaning they can infest snakes, lizards, and amphibians. Some lizards are more prone to them than other, and symptoms seem to vary from type to type.

My experience with lizard mites (red) is limited. I've never observed them on snakes before, although I would think they have the same propensities as snake mites do.

[peterm15]

thanks alot for the info everyone ... ive had no probs yet and i hope not to... but for how much reading ive done on them today i dont think id ever have a problem getting rid of them...

thanks alot everyone