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Black mites |
| This is what our member has to say: P.S. Do not use tweezers. They pose a possible harm to snake. Before I got my spray I gave him warm baths in water and ... |
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08-18-2006, 01:26 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West suburbs of Chicago, IL
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P.S. Do not use tweezers. They pose a possible harm to snake. Before I got my spray I gave him warm baths in water and vegetable oil for 15 minutes each day until I got the spray. Kills most of the mites but not all. Also, since you have a ball python there may be some in the heat pits. Buy the spray and follow it's instructions! 
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08-18-2006, 02:12 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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Stupid mites! My first snake (Ok, so I have only had two... but it was still my first one) came with mites from the pet store. As mentioned it can be really frusterating, but not the end of the world. Your critter is lucky you found him now!
One thing that really helped was that I took everything out that I could and stuck it in the freezer for a few days. It kills the mites without having to use chemicals. Of course... you still have to nasty up the cage, but it saved some effort and caused me a bit less stress. I would also suggest soaking your little fellow every day for at least a half hour. That way anything hiding in the scales, or having just hatched in the scales will suffocate. Plus, if you are using spray on the python himself, soaking (or veggie oil, just don't get it on his nose or it "mite" make it hard for him to breath. Ha... ha.......... ...... ...ha.....) will help him not to get dried out too much and ease what could be be a tough next shed.
Good luck!
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08-18-2006, 04:37 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2006
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Merlin
This is a new one on me! What book is this?
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Its called the guide to owning a ball python, i didnt think the idea would work either.
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08-18-2006, 04:46 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2006
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Tippmann357
P.S. Do not use tweezers. They pose a possible harm to snake. Before I got my spray I gave him warm baths in water and vegetable oil for 15 minutes each day until I got the spray. Kills most of the mites but not all. Also, since you have a ball python there may be some in the heat pits. Buy the spray and follow it's instructions! |
Ill stop using twezzers then  . Ive been giving him baths now but if there on his head or in his heat pits I cant hold his head under water lol. I have just found two on him and killed them, but I cant see any under his scales so thats a good thing. Im going to go to the pet shop and look for some spray tomorrow, hopefully theyll be gone soon. (p.s. Thanks to every one for the concern and help
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08-18-2006, 04:51 PM
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Im going to take queen o greens advice and freeze all the things in his tank, should I freeze the wood or put it in the oven?
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08-18-2006, 11:13 PM
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Either way works fine, though it is quicker to put them in the oven. Make sure not to burn them... LoL. Maybe 250 would be good, for a half hour?
Just don't do what I did... I put mine in the oven in the evening, then forgot about them until the next night.  Thankfully it was pretty low, so I didn't burn the house down... I'm pretty sure I got those mites though! 
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....Capri
"Unfortunately currency is the currency of the realm." -[Lord Cutler Becket]
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08-19-2006, 02:52 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
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No problem When the mites go onto the snake's head you can use perhaps a q-tip or something when they crawl onto his head from drowning to death lol
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08-19-2006, 05:50 PM
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Havnt seen any for a while but will keep my eyes open.
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08-19-2006, 06:34 PM
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Firstly, I would like to dispel a few myths; not all pet shops treat their animals poorly, but can still end up with reptile mites - the number of people entering the shops each day can result in mites, from them being transported in from their collections on clothes etc. Mites are extremely bad - they reproduce at a phenominal rate and will weaken the immune system of the reptile by feeding off them. By the time you see a few mites you have a severe infestation and you must act quickly.
Please please DO NOT use tweezers!!! You can cause severe pain to your reptile not to mention damage; initially take all of the substrate out of the tank and dispose of it, clean the cage furniture thoroughly and bathe the snake - this will drown some of the mites but it will not completely eradicate them, as they will move to the eye area to get away from the water. We have always used a product called Frontline, which is a product originally designed for cat and dog fleas; this should be used with caution and diluted with pure alcohol - a vet will advise as to the right solution to use. Use newspaper or kitchen roll in the enclosure for a while, as this will make it easier to spot any more mites and is easier to change. You can also use the Frontline solution on cage furniture, but if you can't get hold of this there are other products on the market that have been mentioned.
As Merlin said, do not use something called a No-Pest Strip, as this has been researched to cause harm to the reptile. Also make sure you always quarantine new reptiles away from others to avoid an infestation like this from spreading. Having mites can be very stressful - we have had to get rid of infestations a few times in the past, but you can kill them off without causing damage to your animal, so be positive! Good luck.
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