Mites- Listen Up!

T.O-SK8TER · 06-20-03, 11:51 PM

I used to have a boa that had mites ( he is still alive today I traded for a burm) Everything I tried would not work and I tried for months and months. I came up with a non toxic idea. I cleaned the cage and vacumed the floor every other day and every 24 hours I would cover the snake in a thick layer of non scented soap, I used dove. Do not rinse the soap off put the snake back in the cage with the layer of soap on it. Rinse the snake off in water the next day and apply again. DO NOT LEAVE SOAP ON DURRING FEEDING. I noticed no mites after a few days but I did this treatment all for three weeks to be safe. Its a lot of work but it is sure worth it.

GOOD LUCK!

Mason · 06-20-03, 11:55 PM

I've got a cricket under my fridge right now that has been real loud for the past week.

Zoe · 06-20-03, 11:58 PM

I'd be a little concerned about leaving soap on a snake for that long... wouldn't it irritate his scales? I used Nix and it worked awesome, and I only had to do it twice ( for safety).

Zoe

T.O-SK8TER · 06-21-03, 12:02 AM

No the soap did not irritate him at all and you can also leve the water dish in the cage aswell. this method worked really well. I highly recomend it. I also wash my snakes with soap ever month and no problems!

Zoe · 06-21-03, 12:06 AM

Why do you wash your snakes, of out curiosity?

As for leaving the water bowl... what would happen if the snake went for a soak and then drank from the bowl? :\

T.O-SK8TER · 06-21-03, 12:17 AM

I wash my snakes because half the time they eat they usually get a bit of blood on them and I dont like handling them when they have blood on them.

If soap gets in the water dish it will not hurt the snake because it is not enough soap and it has no oils in it. It is only toxic soaps with perfumes and oils in it that can harm any animal. These are usually found in dishwash detergants.

Zoe · 06-21-03, 12:18 AM

I don't quite understand how your snakes get blood on them? Sorry about all the questions, but none of my snakes every get blood on them.

Yes, but you also rinse a waterdish after washing it with dishsoap. You don't leave a film of suds in the bottom.

T.O-SK8TER · 06-21-03, 12:22 AM

The reason why my snakes get blood on them is because I feed them frozen and when aI defrost them blood usually comes out the nose of the prey.

Grant vg · 06-21-03, 12:37 AM

I can understand the concept of your mite killing tactics, as many ppl have used the dove-way before with success. However, i have never heard of anyone leaving there snakes covered in 100% dove for 3 weeks straight.
All i have heard is soaking them in a solution of dove (but mostly water) which i believe i read on the VPI.com website.

IMO, there are many easier and proven-safe ways to eradicate mites.
Plus, i dont like leaving anything on my snakes, and unless you have used this method many many times, i would not trust your one-time experience on my snakes.

A good soak in only water and a rub down in a towel will get rid of any dried blood. Remember these arn't dirty dishes...lol

I'd say this information could be very valuable if and when you have tried it on atleast 10 different snakes. But again, id rather use an easier, more-trusted option when it comes to external parasites.

Gvg

Lisa · 06-21-03, 12:55 AM

I like my provent a mite, works well for me.

as for the blood, you're probably thawing too hot

sSNAKESs.com · 06-21-03, 07:42 AM

I wash my snakes aswell... Have you never had your snake slither through the big fresh mound of morning doo doo before?? LOL Its pretty nasty, and if you dont wash them off it stinks pretty bad.... Same with when a large boa or something similar pee's and your using newspaper substrate... The whole floor of the cage is soaked, the snake in laying in the pee and if you dont wash him off, it stinks aswell... So personally i know exactly where to skater is coming from!

JoeBradley · 06-21-03, 08:51 AM

I also wash my snakes. A snake that is kept on newspaper can become quite nasty. I think my snakes intentionally crawl through their waste just to irritate me. I have never used soap on them though. Usually just rinse them off with the hose from the sink and mildly warm water. I agree with Jeff and Skater. If I am going to let a snake wrap around my arm I would like him not to smell like poop. As for the mites and soap method (which is where this started anyway) I would not personally use that method.

T.O-SK8TER · 06-21-03, 02:52 PM

I used this method as a last resort. I tried everything. Im just letting everyone know so if they are in the same position I was in they may want to try it. I believe that mites on a snake for life is a lot worse than a non toxic soap on a snake for a few weeks!

Zoe · 06-21-03, 03:54 PM

Why not just use nix or proven-a-mite? They are proven methods and you don't need to leave gunk on the snake for that long.

Yeah, I rinse my snakes on occasion too. But I don't wash them off with soap weekly?

Zoe

SCReptiles · 06-21-03, 06:42 PM

I appreciate what you were trying to say. This worked for you and you wanted to share it. Don’t let others casting dispersions get you down. Your method may very well help out someone. These treatments mentioned, Nix and Preventomite, are expensive. There could be a young herper out there who has lost his job and needed to read what you posted. And I know of at least one large boa breeder who lost several snakes in his collections after using nix. I would be careful with it.