Help with mites

[MyKuLoO]

Hi, my Jungle Carpet Python seems to have mites.

About a month ago I first noticed that she was spending a lot of time in his waterbowl. I tried the mite treatment, both spraying and wiping her down with the towel sprayed with the treatment. Soaked the hides, wood, and everything else in the hottest water my tub could produce...sprayed, soaked with hot water, and cleaned out the tank.

It appears that this works for about 3 days...then once again my snake is back in the water. I do notice dead mites in the water but usually < 10 at a time floating in the water.

What can I do?! This same treatment has been repeated about 4 times now with no luck!

[millertime89]

Permethrin and diluted in water, NIX lice shampoo diluted in water, a can of Provent-A-Mite (PAM), or a bottle of Reptile Spray from Reptile Basics. All but the PAM can be applied directly to the animal, you can also bathe her in some water with NIX or Permethrin mixed in. If you order PAM pull the animal and water bowl, spray until there's a fog in the enclosure, let sit for 30 minutes while the animal is soaking in some water or some water mixed with NIX or permethrin. For the rest remove the water, spray the enclosure, and replace the water.

[CosmicOwl]

never had mites, but I thought you were supposed to do a second treatment because the chemicals don't effect the eggs?

[MyKuLoO]

Is Nix meant for reptiles? and where can I get it?

[millertime89]

It's safe for reptiles if diluted and not drank. You can find it at walgreens or walmart usually.

Second treatments are always a good idea. I treat once every few months just as a precaution. I'm due for another round of bug bomb next month.

[MyKuLoO]

diluated 1:1?

[millertime89]

10:1 water:treatment

[SSSSnakes]

never had mites, but I thought you were supposed to do a second treatment because the chemicals don't effect the eggs?

PAM last for 30 days. It will kill the new mites when they hatch.

[NewHerp293]

I tried quite a few different things that all worked for a few days but then id find them again. I ordered a can of PAM and havent seen a mite or any excessive soaking since!

[millertime89]

The only reason I mention the other options is that PAM isn't cheap. I use the other methods and reserve the PAM for when I've got an outbreak. But PAM is like the Mite MOAB.

[NewHerp293]

It depends on whats cheap to you though cause im pretty freaking broke but $21 including shipping wasnt bad at all. And one can seems like it would last awhillle.

[GUITARZAN509]

Remove water dish, get some " No Pest Strip " cut in 1 inch peice put in plastic container with holes in it cover most of the holes in snake cage leave in for 3 days, then take out for 3 days put water dish back in, then repeat 3 or 4 times, then 3 months later do it all again to make sure

[millertime89]

Those no pest strips make me very uncomfortable. I know tons of people use them but I don't trust them. I looked at them and the warnings on the label are something I'm not about to ignore.

[MyKuLoO]

Just bought can of PAM from the original site came out to just over $24 for the bottle/can. Anybody know how long it takes to ship to california? Is it okay to spray directly on my snake? Will mites do any permanent damage to my snake?

[NewHerp293]

Definitely dont spray it right on the snake! Wait till everything is totally dry and doesnt smell. Dont spray the water bowl either

[millertime89]

If you order PAM pull the animal and water bowl, spray until there's a fog in the enclosure, let sit for 30 minutes while the animal is soaking in some water or some water mixed with NIX or permethrin. For the rest remove the water, spray the enclosure, and replace the water.

^^^^^^^^^^

[toddnbecka]

I had a burmese python with mites about 30 years ago. Back then the no pest strips were the recommended treatment, but I couldn't find any. I used Crisco vegetable shortening to cover the snake, just got a bit on my hands and allowed the snake to crawl through until it was coated, left it in a 10 gallon tank for a week, then gave it a bath to wash off the Crisco. The mites never returned, and vegetable shortening is 100% harmless to the animal and the environment.

[SSSSnakes]

I had a burmese python with mites about 30 years ago. Back then the no pest strips were the recommended treatment, but I couldn't find any. I used Crisco vegetable shortening to cover the snake, just got a bit on my hands and allowed the snake to crawl through until it was coated, left it in a 10 gallon tank for a week, then gave it a bath to wash off the Crisco. The mites never returned, and vegetable shortening is 100% harmless to the animal and the environment.

Mites breed in the tank, so just getting them off the snake does not fix the problem. The enclosure must be cleaned and treated to get rid of mites.

[toddnbecka]

The larger cage was cleaned with bleach, the 10 gallon was simply to keep the Crisco from making a bigger mess. There were dead mites stuck in the Crisco on the glass, very few actually still on the snake.

[MyKuLoO]

I had a burmese python with mites about 30 years ago. Back then the no pest strips were the recommended treatment, but I couldn't find any. I used Crisco vegetable shortening to cover the snake, just got a bit on my hands and allowed the snake to crawl through until it was coated, left it in a 10 gallon tank for a week, then gave it a bath to wash off the Crisco. The mites never returned, and vegetable shortening is 100% harmless to the animal and the environment.


Can I use regular olive oil?

[MyKuLoO]

Okay so here is what I have done.

Lined a large plastic box with newspaper provided water at 1 end and undertank heater at the other. Took my python and let him crawl through my hands with olive oil on them to coat him. Once coated I put him into the large plastic box to stay for a few days.


His original 40 gallon tank I wash with warm/hot water and bleach, rinsed and wiped it down. Put my new substrate (aspen bedding) into the bottom, took the entire tank outside then sprayed PAM into it according to the directions.


Waiting an hour or so for it to vent out then i'm gonna place the snake back into it after a few days.


Does this sound good? Anything I need to change? Will the olive oil work or do I need Crisco? Was not able to get oil on his face between eyes and all that but PAM says it will kill mites even without direct exposure so I think i'm okay.

[toddnbecka]

See if you find dead mites on the snake and/or plastic box. The Crisco worked because it's a solid, rather than liquid like olive oil, so it didn't run off the snake. The mites were suffocated, not sure how thoroughly olive oil will coat the wee pests. I didn't worry about the head too much when I greased the python, certainly not the eyes in any case.

[MyKuLoO]

See if you find dead mites on the snake and/or plastic box. The Crisco worked because it's a solid, rather than liquid like olive oil, so it didn't run off the snake. The mites were suffocated, not sure how thoroughly olive oil will coat the wee pests. I didn't worry about the head too much when I greased the python, certainly not the eyes in any case.


Thanks I'll try out the crisco tonight just gotta buy some...who has that stuff in their house anymore? haha

[toddnbecka]

Ya, that was about 30 years ago, grew up with it but haven't used it in ages now. Killing mites was probably the best use for it... lol.

[MyKuLoO]

Ya, that was about 30 years ago, grew up with it but haven't used it in ages now. Killing mites was probably the best use for it... lol.

haha apparently nobody in the supermarket even knew what it was...until I called it lard...haha. I coated my snake with it...he didn't like it started hissing, not at me but just in general. I'll leave him for a day or 2 before putting him back into his regular tank.

[MyKuLoO]

So I did the crisco trick and now how do I get this stuff off of him? Can I use some watered down dish soap to cut through this grease? It's just not coming off of him.

[millertime89]

So I did the crisco trick and now how do I get this stuff off of him? Can I use some watered down dish soap to cut through this grease? It's just not coming off of him.

Just regular ol' Dawn dish soap, nothing fancy.

[TG22AR]

The mite MOAB. LOL.

[millertime89]

The mite MOAB. LOL.

I've actually got it written on it... :D

[Aaron_S]

Those no pest strips make me very uncomfortable. I know tons of people use them but I don't trust them. I looked at them and the warnings on the label are something I'm not about to ignore.

Seriously agree with this.

Don't be cheap and go for pest strips when $20 Nix or can of PAM will work better. You only have to do the treatment once as well.


I felt I needed to edit my post after reading through the rest of the thread.

Let's stop using food products on our snakes. There's no reason to cheap out this way. Let's not use outdated methods anymore. If you decide to continue to use antiquated mehthods remember that the head has the best hiding places for mites. Around the eyes, nostrils, neck scales. It's crucial to treat this area so if you don't then you wasted all your time and stressed the snake for no reason.

As I read it, you used PAM and it will be the reason your snake no longer has mites. Not due to crisco, olive oil or bleach. PAM. It's a lot less work too.

[shaunyboy]

never had mites, but I thought you were supposed to do a second treatment because the chemicals don't effect the eggs?

provent a mite only kills mites and does not effect the eggs...

it does kill the mites instantly as they hatch from the eggs

provent a mite remains active for 30 days...

so there's NO need for repeat treatments

most other mite treatments require more than one application

PROVENT A MITE is the only mite treatment i use or would recommend using

use once,mites dead,it's that simple

cheers shaun