[Mites] Where do mites come from?

[Jeastwood]

So my boa just got infested with mites. Just wondering, where do they come from anyway? I mean all was fine and dandy then they just come out of what I assume is thin air. I've seen someone else said that they had dirty bedding from the store, is that common? What's your best solution against these little demons too.

Thanks

Jason

[Atrayu]

Prevent A Mite and follow this!

http://www.allboas.com/mites.php

Get rid of the bedding!

[Jungle Boas FTW]

Re: Where do mites come from?

Prevent-a-mite. get some and follow the instructions.
never personally had mites...but that's what everyone recommends.

not sure how you get them tho.

Edit steve-o beat me

[Bulldog773]

Re: Where do mites come from?

After you get rid of them use newpaper or the wavy cardboard sheets for bedding, can get it at office depot or order online

[Boa Amarali]

Re: Where do mites come from?

It depends there are many types of mites. Do you have snake mites ? There are wood mites there are Springtails (also called winter fleas)

Snake Mites come from Africa originally. They are dark in color as adults but can appear a reddish or
even almost clearish color as young mites that have not fed yet.

Here is a link to a great in depth write up Tracy from VPI did about Snake Mites

The Life History of Snake Mites


Most often your Boa comes with snake Mites. The smallest Snake mites are extremely difficult to see with the naked eye.

How long ago did you get your Boa. It can take three to four weeks in some cases
for people to discover they have a snake mite infestation.

I suggest you figure what type of mites you have and then treat the problem accordingly.

[Morgans Boas]

Re: Where do mites come from?

Avoid going to Pet stores. Long showers after going to reptile shows.

[bterrill]

Re: Where do mites come from?

I am convinced I once got them from bedding too. PaM is your friend or nix/equate lice treatment I hear works too.

[!!tjruck!!]

Re: Where do mites come from?

how common are mites?

[Jeastwood]

Re: Where do mites come from?

I'm pretty sure my boa has snake mites, not wood mites. I've read up on a few other old posts in here about them and I think I'm gonna try the equate or PAM approach. Probably PAM at first cause that's a given to work then equate for the monthly treatments to see if that works. Thanks for everyone's help. I'll be using newspaper or cardboard from here on out!!

[Steve'O]

Re: Where do mites come from?

PAM is the best product to use for mites. I have had mites on two snakes previously. Both were aquired at the reptile show. Reptile shows are the worst place to pick up mites. They breeder may not have had a problem, but with so many people going from table to table and holding animals at each, it is very easy to transfer the little buggers. You may not notice anything for weeks. Always quarentine your new animals. I keep mine separated in a different room for 3 to 6 months. When I have had problems in the past I will soak the animal in a tub of warm water with a few drops of liquid soap to break the surface tension of the water. This helps drown the adult mites. I will soak them for several hours. Check the animal often and don't put in too deep of water. The animal shouldn't have to swim. Check the water frequently and change if the animal defecates. Mine almost always do, lol... I will usually change the water several times to keep it warm. I clean the enclosure with a bleach solution followed by distilled water. I spray all surfaces including the screen top or lid. Also spray hides. I use newspaper as bedding during quarentine and will spray the newspaper as well. Let this dry for about 30 min. Follow the directions on the can... Then replace animal and water. I will repeat this procedure in 5 to 7 days and that usually takes care of them. I used RID spray initially last time, because I had moved and couldn't find my can of PAM. I believe the RID worked well and it is definitely easy and cheaper to get. I followed up with a PAM treatment just in case though...

[yeroc1982]

Re: Where do mites come from?

Nix works great and its cheap, $10/bottle and it makes 4L of solution.

[hermit777]

Re: Where do mites come from?

I don't know where they come from but the only way to get rid of them is put your snake in a different tank after washing it n spraying it then spray the cadge down good n let it sit then take care of your snake as usual keeping an eye on its mite problem n keep rinsing it off n spraying it till u don't see them on it or its normal gadge , I get them from time to time I think they come from the mice not shore hope this helps

[Zincubus]

Where do mites come from?

So my boa just got infested with mites. Just wondering, where do they come from anyway? I mean all was fine and dandy then they just come out of what I assume is thin air. I've seen someone else said that they had dirty bedding from the store, is that common? What's your best solution against these little demons too.

Thanks

Jason

Here in the UK everyone seems to swear by Callingtons spray . Sadly its about £20+ but works quickly , safely and you treat the snake whilst it's in the viv . You can even spray the snake if you like although I'd avoid it's eye area myself.

Just take out the water bowl so it can't soak and spray the snake in the viv as instructed .