More about mites.

[FitnessFreak]

Originally Posted by adamanteus

As far as I'm aware this is no fool-proof way of preventing mites. Obviously precautions can be taken with existing pets, when introducing new animals etc. (quaranteen). Personally, I wouldn't treat your new snake for mites until you know it has them.

ok ty for the advice

[Cazador]

Hey Mike,

I'd offer the same advice as James. It wouldn't hurt to wash it off in warm (~90F/32C), soapy water, but the vegetable oil treatment isn't real popular these days because the snake can't get around as well when it's covered in oil, and it smears the oil everywhere. Some of the oil inevitably rubs off, and leaves untreated patches. That's why the newer treatments have generally gained favor. Yet, all pesticide are designed to kill organisms, and most (not all) work through the nervous system. Others affect their metabolic rate, and essentially cause them to overheat until they die. The only reason they don't hurt or kill larger organisms like your snake as quickly, is that the dose is different (due to different masses). That's why it's generally best to only treat for problems you recognize.

When you get your snake and before you wash it, you can rub it down with a wet, white paper towel and look for tiny black mites crawling around on the paper towell. Also pay attention to whether the snake hangs out in the water bowl. If so, just mention it online, and there will be plenty of people able to give you the right advise. Best,

Rick

[adamanteus]

I read somewhere that snake mites are developing an immunity to Dichlorovinyl Dimethyl Phosphate (the active chemical in "Vapona" and similar products). Has anyone else heard of this? Although I guess that Rick's excellent method of mite control would make such a problem irrelevant to us. Interesing anyway though, I thought.

[Cazador]

James,

That sounds familiar, but I don't remember where I heard it or if it was from a reliable source. I think you know, but just to be clear, I wasn't recommending the vegetable oil technique... just offering a less invasive technique that used to be popular a decade or more ago.

Rick

[adamanteus]

I think (personally) the vegetable oil technique to be a good idea. The oil would obviously block the mite's trachael spiracle (breathing apparatus) and so suffocate it. Probably a good idea to thoroughly remove the oil a couple of days later. I don't know, but oil may effect the natural sloughing process of a snake?

[Cazador]

Originally Posted by adamanteus

oil may effect the natural sloughing process of a snake?

Wow. That's a good question. I'm not sure.

Rick

[adamanteus]

I might be talking nonsense there Rick...it's just a thought.

[Josh]

o boy i hope mine doesnt get those mites