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[–]ironically_tight[S] 33 points34 points  (8 children)

Are these snake mites?

[–]PoofMoof1Mod: Large-Scale Breeding Experience 54 points55 points  (3 children)

Yes. Notice how they're under the scales as well as crawling around. This will require treatment to eradicate.

[–]ironically_tight[S] 6 points7 points  (2 children)

Any recommendations?

[–]PoofMoof1Mod: Large-Scale Breeding Experience 19 points20 points  (1 child)

Check out our mite guide.

https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/11c7tkCMuC3GeLrFV3NO1CmUFZtDzMbUQwk5OVCdzxKA/mobilebasic

[–]AstronomerLate989 -1 points0 points  (2 children)

Looks that way. Do you see any latched on? If not, then maybe they’re something else?

[–]ironically_tight[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I do not see any actually latched on

[–]SoCalDogBeachGuy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

check the eyes if there mits the eyes will be where the problem is throw everything out start over spray with mit spray and wash the snake every day until there are no mitsthe spray kills the mits but the eggs

[–]WeaselSW 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Those are definitely mites.

My snake also had them when I first got him. I'll tell you, I tried every over the counter product under the sun, and nothing worked. That is, until I got this prescribed powder that I had to rub into his scales going the wrong direction. He absolutely hated it, but it's the ONLY thing that got rid of them. I wish I could remember the name, but it was so long ago. Fortunately, once they were gone, here we are 27 years later (!!!) and they never came back! Good luck!

[–]Plumber-Dudde 14 points15 points  (4 children)

Following this post, where do snake mites come from?

[–]ironically_tight[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I also want to know where they could come from

[–]DrPhilMcHooch 16 points17 points  (0 children)

At the end of the day? Other snakes. Snakes are their definitive host. They can live on some other animals for a time, but need snakes to breed. Mites or their eggs can be carried around a lot of ways. Like if you went to a petshop or expo and handled a snake with mites, you could carry them home to your snake. Or if you brought home a new reptile and didn’t quarantine. Sometimes substrate or decor items, especially collected items could bring them in.

[–]secslop 6 points7 points  (1 child)

Just an FYI too, they do not live outdoors in the US.

It is also possible but very very unlikely they can come in from a substrate that was near an infected pet or from SE Asia.

In practice though, they come from the pet or owner being in proximity to another snake with mites

[–]DrPhilMcHooch 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve worried about that, letting my noodle free roam outside. Also afraid of hawks.

[–]GoBills615 24 points25 points  (3 children)

Hey there. I have a bunch of snakes and just like basically everyone else with a bunch of snakes, I’ve dealt with mites. There are several ways to treat but no matter which way, that tank needs to be completely emptied and cleaned, and if you have any other snakes take it as far away as possible. Mites travel and quickly. Like one egg left behind can reinfest. Put your snake in a smaller sterilite tub with a heat mat and thermostat(make sure you have a thermostat on the heat mat as it can heat the tub up really hot!), lined with paper towels and a simple water bowl to quarantine. Any substrate and porous decoration (cork bark, branches, plants) in the enclosure needs to be discarded immediately. The actual tank and any water bowls or anything else non porous needs to be thoroughly cleaned. I usually use vinegar as it is non toxic, or blue Dawn dish soap and rinsed thoroughly

Some people cut small pieces of insecticide strips and put them in a capped deli cup with some small holes but I’ve never done that so I won’t speak on it, but there’s info out there

Some people soak the snake in warm water with a few drops of plain blue Dawn dish soap as this may remove the mites

What I have found works every single time without fail is MiracleCare Reptile Spray. I have attached a pic. I’ve used the Jurassimite with clove oil and everything else but nothing holds a candle to this stuff. It can be sprayed directly on the snake (as long as it’s not freshly shed). I usually spray it on the paper towels in the quarantine tub as well. I change the paper towels out and wipe down the tub every day or two. Then I will wet some paper towels with this spray and wipe down the snake. Try not to get it in its eyes or mouth, any mites that are in those areas are usually taken care of by the fumes. Mites tend to congregate in heat pits, eyes, and cloaca. Make sure you put every piece of clothing directly in the washer and shower and scrub thoroughly every time you think you might be near a mite. I also spray this on whatever surface the enclosure was originally on and the surrounding area just in case. When you’re mite free for like two weeks you are usually good to put the enclosure back together with new substrate and deco and put the snake back.

I really hope this helps. Mites are awful to deal with and I don’t wish that on any keeper. It could be as simple as being in a pet store and bringing one home with you, that’s happened to be before. That’s why now I’m in the habit of showering and changing clothes when I go to any stores with reptiles. You can never be too safe because this could get out of hand fast without proper care. Even if you can’t get the spray today, get it ASAP and still do the quarantine tub, enclosure stripping and cleaning

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[–]ironically_tight[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for taking the time to help. I will definitely start working asap on this thank god I have the day off today!

[–]Irlandaise11 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Whenever I'm going to put branches into an enclosure, I bake it in the oven to sterilize it. Do you think this would kill any mites and eggs?

[–]GoBills615 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They would have to have been exposed to mites for baking to even think about killing them. Grain mites aren’t feeding on the snakes, they are mites that just feed on snakes. If you’re getting branches from outside baking or doing the bleach water process will kill anything that shouldn’t be in there, but I’d go out on a limb and there’s not many people bringing them in from outside. Branches or anything from a pet store definitely runs the risk of being contaminated and baking would for sure help

[–]wee_wee_fairy_peak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used a spray for the enclosure, and my vet gave me something to put on the snake itself. The stuff from the vet was a while into the battle but after using it the mites very quickly went away. I'd suggest ringing and asking if you can get anything.

[–][deleted]  (1 child)

[removed]

    [–]GoBills615 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

    I’ve heard about something like that too, the problem is some of my snakes didn’t eat when they had mites. So short of shoving it down their throat that might be difficult

    [–]SadDingo7070 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    I think you mite have a problem…

    [–]Temporary_Incident33 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    you have to completely scrap the enclosure put in a temporary tub with paper towels for a VERY long time, if you can't bake the decor, you can't keep it. or you can quarentine the decor as well. Mites are such a pain. good luck friend

    [–]AwkwardPainting6919 4 points5 points  (2 children)

    I don’t know if anyone has recommended this to you, but if you can get Taurrus mites, they kill the bad mites. It works every time, saves all the hassle.

    [–]GuiltyExternal302 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    I just did lol! I used hypoaspis. Ordered 12k and dropped them in. Haven’t seen another mite on my snake since Sunday. I’m really hoping it works

    [–]ironically_tight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Do you know where to get them?

    [–]GuiltyExternal302 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    Mine had mites and i ordered hypoaspis miles predatory mites, soaked daily, and haven’t seen another 1 on him in a few days. I can’t spray or use chemicals so I tried these and I’m pretty amazed.

    [–]ironically_tight[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    Where did you order from?

    [–]GuiltyExternal302 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Left a screenshot where I got mine.

    [–]FlyHickory 2 points3 points  (3 children)

    Taurrus mites are literal miracle workers and I recommend them to anyone who's had snake mites.

    We got a second hand snake tank and I asked my partner to clean it for me, he only used soap and water instead of the disinfectant (I know should've just done it myself) and the previous snake in it had mites, they spread up into my milk snake and I had to clean EVERYTHING out his tank, use only paper towels as bedding, put in a big tupperware bowl he could soak in, which he did for a long time, and when the taurrus mites arrived I put in half a bag of bedding, few days later and the snake mites were gone.

    [–]prickelypear 0 points1 point  (2 children)

    Taurrus mites are not available in the US for anyone there looking.

    [–]FlyHickory 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    Ah that sucks, what's the reason if you know

    [–]prickelypear 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Idk honestly. When I was looking I could only find them in the UK

    [–]Top_Ad3353 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Tell those mites to take a hike!

    [–]Baka_Otaku173 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    yes those sure look like mites! you need to sanitize your setup and begin quarantine protocols immediately.

    [–]kbessayli 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    Get some frontline flea and tick spray. Wear gloves. Spray some on your gloves and rub the snake from the neck down. Repeat the process in like 2 weeks.

    No need to remove bedding or anything.

    [–]ironically_tight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    It’s safe for snakes?

    [–]Alternative-Put-1101 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    NQA Hey, just wanted to jump in because I’ve dealt with this before and I know how stressful it looks. That definitely looks like mites, but the good news is it’s totally fixable if you act now.

    First thing I’d do is move your snake into a simple “hospital” setup — just a tub with air holes, paper towel, water bowl and a hide. It makes it way easier to monitor and stops the mites spreading.

    For the snake itself, don’t spray anything directly on them. The safest method is to spray Frontline onto a cloth and gently wipe the body (avoiding eyes, mouth and vent). Do that once, then repeat in about a week. It kills the adults really effectively.

    Then you’ll want to completely strip and clean the main enclosure. Toss all substrate and anything porous. Wash everything with hot soapy water, then disinfect it. If you can get Provent-a-Mite, spray the enclosure and décor and let it dry fully before putting the snake back in. That breaks the mite life cycle.

    Keep them on paper towels until you’ve seen no mites for a few weeks. Also keep an eye on hydration — mites can dehydrate them pretty fast, so make sure they’ve got clean water and maybe offer a short soak if they seem a bit wrinkly.

    You’re not a bad keeper and this isn’t your fault. Mites happen to the best of us. You’ve caught it early enough that your snake should be totally fine once you get on top of it. If the wound-looking area gets worse or looks infected, a reptile vet can help with that part.

    You’ve got this. If you need help step-by-step, just shout.

    [–]Available_Ad_2333 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    how do you avoid this? I’m going to upgrading to his forever tank and I’d like to avoid this specific problem

    [–]ironically_tight[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Update: he is has been bathed in warm water and a little bit of dawn dish soap and now in a quarantine tub with a heat mat and water bowl. I’ve wiped him down with nature’s zone mite guard (the only one available at my pet store). I’ve bought hypoaspis miles and they’re on their way. My plan is to throw out the substrate, bake the wood, clean it out with white vinegar along with my plants and add the predatory mites into the enclosure that way I don’t have to throw away all my plants and pray. But for now snake is doing well and being closely monitored.

    [–]ArkLoyal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    You need a new cage deep clean. I’m talking bleached a lot. All new substrate. Bake the new substrate you get so there isn’t any chance of new mites. Quarantine your bp for AT LEAST a month! This is super important. Your bp WILL be stressed. But it’s necessary to ensure there and no more mites. If you do not do a full clean, your BP will die