Mites on corn snake..need info please!

Kathryntheclean · 02-23-17, 02:29 PM

So, our new baby corn snake, Alex, has mites... couple of questions... I called our local snake vet and he said our baby needs shots to get rid of them. They're not expensive, but is this a good method? I don't want to treat at home since I'm new to snakes and I don't want to take the chance of harming Alex... Do my daughter and I have mites now, since we handle little Alex so much? How exactly do I clean his tank? Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

**Andy_G** · 02-23-17, 02:54 PM

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...ve-thread.html

Snake mites are a tropical ectoparasite that are host specific, meaning that snake mites will not bother mammals. There are many methods of getting rid of mites including the one your vet has offered. A favourite can be found in the link I provided. If you have any further questions after reading, please don't hesitate to ask.

Kathryntheclean · 02-23-17, 03:26 PM

Looks like I'm investing in some Nix. Geeze, never thought I'd have to use that again after that nasty episode with my daighter in pre-k!

Kathryntheclean · 02-23-17, 03:27 PM

Thanks Andy. You're really helpful!

Kathryntheclean · 02-24-17, 02:32 AM

Alex is a bit better. Very happy. He's been given his bath and wiped down with Nix solution. He ate his weekly pinky mouse and has settled into his newly cleaned tank with white paper towels instead of sustrate. He's such a good snake! Anything else I can do for him? Vet visit is on Monday.

Kathryntheclean · 02-28-17, 01:51 AM

Took Alex to the vet today and the mites are so much worse. 3 treatments with Nix did nothing. I have been going crazy cleaning and disinfecting everything! Mites are literally crawing all over him now. The vet said Alex is too small for a shot, but gave us a carefully weighed vial of liquid- not near it at the moment to read the name- to mix with warm water and spray on him and all of his belongings. Then, after letting that dry, we put (as the vet said) olive oil all over him. I'm scared for him. I would never put any of God's creatures in pain or distress if it could be helped (except for spiders-they are demons from hell). So what can I do? I am to use this solution every day for 28 days and bathe Alex in warm water and dish soap as well. I'm just so worried that he won't get better! Can anyone offer anymore advice?

UserNameIsValid · 02-28-17, 02:10 AM

Keep him on paper towels, and switch them out everyday. It'll help keep them from breeding. Keep his enclosure decorations to a minimum, and clean them as well. Continue the medication and hopefully this will help. Good luck

Kathryntheclean · 02-28-17, 02:16 AM

Yeah, already doing all that. Just freaking out, I guess. Having someone else say, "Yeah, your snake is infested" just upsets me so much! He's just the sweetest little creature! As a mother and multiple pet owner, I just want everyone to be as happy and healthy as I can get them. I feel very useless just watching and waiting for the pesky mites to die. I mean, there's only so much I can do.

GyGbeetle · 02-28-17, 08:08 AM

I soaked my snakes for about 30 mins while disinfecting their tank and spraying their tank and all their accessories with Nix. When I'm done with the tank, I take the snake out of the water and spray them with Nix.

I also sprayed outside the tank, and the floor around the perimeter of the tank. I then put a line of olive oil along the top of the tank where the sliding tops are to prevent them from escaping. Water bowl stays out for 2 days after treatment.

The mite infestation takes awhile to get rid of. And it looks like you've only been at this for a week. I'd say give it more time, and if you want, soak your baby once a day for 30 mins to drown the mites. Treat once a week with Nix.

I don't know what your vet gave you, but we went to the pet store and picked up some JurassiMite. It's safe to use daily. I haven't used Nix daily, but I've heard on this forum that Nix is also safe once diluted with distilled water, so I guess you can use that daily too.

If you have any wood accessories, pull them out immediately, soak them with Nix, wrap them up in a plastic bag as sealed up as you can get, and leave it out of the tank for 2 weeks. Mites lay eggs in pourous materials, and can cause a re-infestation, not to mention being a great hiding place for adults to get away from the pesticides.

Skipper7 · 02-28-17, 08:51 AM

Continue with what your vet prescribed, as he is the medical professional. However, I would reccomend giving him a call and asking if it is ok to continue with Nix treatments once weekly.

You're not a bad snake mom for this, most everyone gets mites eventually with reptiles.

**Andy_G** · 02-28-17, 09:07 AM

I think that the mites "getting worse" is either a matter of perception (most likely...more have hatched or more noticeable) or that the nix was used and administered improperly. It needs to dry in order to reach maximum effectiveness, so nothing should be rinsed or wiped very much (including the snake) so that the residue is left. The water bowl should also be removed for 24 hours after treatment. It should not be used daily, nor should any treatment. Some of the safer options will tell you to do so in order for you to overuse it and spend more money repurchasing.

I would agree to follow your vet's advice, but I would suggest omitting the olive oil treatments as if left on for a period of time it can actually cause other issues with snakes. It's a very old, outdated method of treatment.

This will take a while to do properly no matter what you do, unfortunately. Do your best to find a treatment method you like and are comfortable with, and stick with it until

Kathryntheclean · 02-28-17, 10:51 AM

Thanks, everyone. My mind is a little more at ease with all of your help and advice. I just bathed Alex in a mild dishwashing soap and warm water bath. He was so happy to get the oil off, I think. I also sprayed down his cage with the mite solution given to me by the vet. Tons of dead mites came off. So, you are all totally correct. If I just keep this up, they'll be gone soon. I tend to go nuts trying to take care of my babies (human or animal). So, if I freaked out, it was only out of love! Just want to thank everyone for such kind words and support on this forum. Lucky to have such knowledgeable people out there!

GyGbeetle · 02-28-17, 10:54 AM

Good to hear. Just keep in mind that most treatments should be administered for up to 6 weeks after first mites have been spotted. So hopefully the vet gave you enough for more than 1 treatment. I'm on month 2 of mite treatment right now, and I used the Nix method described in Tsubaki's mite treatment sticky posted above.

Kathryntheclean · 02-28-17, 11:03 AM

Yes, my vet gave me a one month supply. But, after that's out, I'm going to be on my toes with these bugs. I just can't stand dirty things-hence my name, but on my pets, that just kills me. I swear, I should've been a Vet. I'd have made so much money at that. And the only creature I don't like is a spider-little demons! ��

**Andy_G** · 02-28-17, 11:33 AM

Permethrin is most likely what the vet gave you, which is the same active ingredient in provent a mite and nix.