Mites can be a big problem in snake collections. The bigger the collection potentially the bigger the problem.

 

Mites will spread silently in your collection and if you do not act quickly they can spread from one snake to another and quickly become an infestation.

 

If you have any info about mites you wish to share. please email me and I will be happy to add the information on to my site as well as links etc.

  
  Mites can come in to your collection a number of ways. One of the most common is other snakes. Snakes should always be put through a 3 month quarantine before you even move them in to the same room as the rest of your collection.

during this 3 month quarantine you should easily be able to see any mites your animal may have picked up.

Another way for mites to come in to your collection is from substrate and Bark hide you buy in for your animals. Most people visit reptile shops to buy the substrates and bits and bobs. Orchid bark can carry mites and it only takes a few to start the chain reaction.

A way to reduce the risk is to boil the Bark hide or to place in an oven. The substrate like Orchid bark try to buy in sealed bags and check to make sure it is fully sealed. This way if the shop has mites they cannot get in to the substrate.

After touching any animals you think may have mites make sure you shower when you get home just in case any are on you. mites will move around on you.

How To Get Rid Of The Pests

There is a number of methods that you can use to get rid of mites. First you must to make it easy for your self gut the tank getting rid of all substrate and also throw away any cork bark or branches that can house mites. You can put the bark hides and other accessories in a bowl of boiling water and then bake them in the oven to kill any mites on the branches. I find it easier to replace the cork bark. scrub all of the tank from top to bottom and then replace the substrate with kitchen roll or news paper. if you have the money and a pet shop is near buy pop out and buy a ceramic or resin hide so your snake has some where to hide still and also with the hide been ceramic or resin you can easily clean the hide. If you cannot afford a lot why not pop and buy a small cat litter tray turn it up side down and cut a hole in one end to create a hide again its easy to clean. make sure you remove any sharp edges. The cage will need cleaning twice a week to ensure dead mites or mites that may roam the tank.

Now you have created a clean sterile environment how are you going to get the mites off the snake. I have seen a few methods used for getting mites off snakes. the first been the cheapest method and is quite affective is allowing your snake to submerge its self under water with just its head out of the water. to do this you must use tepid water and use a bowl big enough for the snake to get its body in to. if you have a large snake you may prefer to run a bath for it. I have used this method and you will have to allow the snake to bath in water every other day to allow it to work effectively.

Front Line

Front line is a powerful flea killer that is only available from the vets. its quite expensive and can be dangerous to the snakes health if used incorrectly. From what I have been recommended by a vet is any snake under 8Ft in length you must spray frontline on to a paper towel and rub the snake with the paper towel. this ensures that an equal amount is put over the snake and also not to much is going on the snake. I have used Front line on snakes the smallest being 12" in length. Using a paper towel I carefully rub the snake from just behind the neck all the way down the body. I don't tend to coat the head just in case the Front line goes in there mouth or eyes. I carry this method out knowing there is a small risk of harm to the animal. With mites I am willing to take the risk BUT only because I have never lost a snake due to Front line, over the past 8 yrs I have been using the product nor have I witnessed any adverse effects from using the product. After coating the Snake I place them back in to there tank and remove all water dishes out of the tank so the snake cannot submerge its self or possibly drink and ingest Front line. Leave the snake for 24 hours with out water then after this time you may place a water bowl back in to the tank. you may need a second coat in around 5-6 days BUT I find the 1 coat of Frontline is enough.

WARNING. As mentioned above there is a risk to your snake if Frontline is not used correctly. If you are unsure please consult a reptile vet and if needed book your snake in for an appointment for the vet to carry out the procedure. I do not take any responsibility for a death or injury of an animal been treated using Frontline. I have used the product for 8 yrs for various animals and haven't had a problem BUT do not use this as a guarantee everything will be ok after treatment.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE EITHER USE A DIFFERENT PRODUCT OR TREATMENT OR CONSULT A REPTILE VET.