Only have 1 snake, but mites?

AndrewM1217 · 06-19-15, 02:48 PM

Recently I've started to notice what might be mites in my snake's enclosure. He's the only snake I own, and I haven't handled any other reptiles. The only time i've been around reptiles is going into pet stores to buy mice. I guess that might be how they got into the tank but it seems unlikely to me. So my question is, how could my snake get mites if he's the only snake I have?

Albert Clark · 06-19-15, 03:25 PM

He can certainly get them from the pet store after they were carried into the home. Someone handling you snake that is a snake keeper themselves. Are you feeding live or f/t? Live rodents carry mites. Best thing is to verify that's what you have and treat right away.

AndrewM1217 · 06-19-15, 03:44 PM

I always feed f/t and no, I'm the only one who has been handling him

Mikoh4792 · 06-19-15, 03:54 PM

What substrate do you use? Are you sure they are not wood mites?(which are harmless and actually help keep your enclosure clean to an extent). Wood mites are small white bugs, where as snake mites are small black bugs.

AndrewM1217 · 06-19-15, 04:52 PM

I've seen wood mites before, and these ones are definitely not wood notes. They a little black circles. Larger than the white wood mites. I use cypress bedding but I am going to switch to paper towels for the next few weeks while I treat for mites. How can I keep humidity up while using paper towels as substrate?

Mikoh4792 · 06-19-15, 06:45 PM

What type of snake are we talking about? Depending on the type of enclosure, having a good sized water bowl should do fine. If you are keeping it in a tank with a screen top, you could cover most of the screen and lightly mist the paper towel from time to time.

AndrewM1217 · 06-19-15, 06:50 PM

He's a spotted python, so he doesn't need tons of humidity. I say between 50 and 60 percent and he always has perfect sheds. One last question! Right now, I'm giving him a soak to help drown some of the mites off of him until tomorrow when I can get the proper materials for treating mites. I put a folded wash cloth in the corner so he could rest and not drown, but naturally he coiled up on top of it and he's barely in the water. How can i ensure that he soaks long enough for mites to drown, but give him a way of resting and prevent exhaustion/drowning?

Albert Clark · 06-19-15, 08:05 PM

Try not to worry about him drowning, all snakes are excellent swimmers and they know how to come to the surface to breathe. Mites travel and they get in your clothes so make sure to bag your clothes and wash in a separate area. Treat everything in the immediate area of the snakes enclosure.

AndrewM1217 · 06-19-15, 08:18 PM

Alright sounds good. As for treating the surrounding area, should i use Provent-A-Mite? Or use the Reptile Reliefe spray that is typically applied directly to the animal?

Albert Clark · 06-20-15, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewM1217

Alright sounds good. As for treating the surrounding area, should i use Provent-A-Mite? Or use the Reptile Reliefe spray that is typically applied directly to the animal?

Use the proventa mite! Don't put his water dish back until it has been deep cleaned. Reptile relief can be used directly on the snake. Proventa mite can be used in the enclosure and surrounding area. Don't place the snake back into the enclosure or surrounding area for a couple of hours as you ventilate the area!

AndrewM1217 · 06-21-15, 05:06 PM

Alright so I gave him a good soak yesterday, and today I used Natural Chemistry's Reptile Relief Spray on the snake himself, and Provent-a-Mite in his terarium. I also noticed a few scales on his body that looked sort of raised. I shined a light on them to try and see if there were mites under the scales, but it didn't look like there were any. No mites by his vent or eyes/heat pits either. I know there are a few areas of raised scales that he has always had, but the mites have me paranoid lol. Is this cause for concern?