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 #1287577


Dorrox
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 OK it happened

I just got my baby ball this week , held today fora minute and guess whats in my hand? Two DAMN MITES !!!!! 1 was an ok size and other was a baby. Had her run through my hands for a while and found no more.

Question, I worked all night but as soon as I wake(if I can sleep) Ill put her in some warm water with Dawn soap (some mentioned this here) and empty out her tank throw her stuff out and soak tank in bleach/water for a few hrs.

I have two others snakes(corns), they have not been in contact but tanks were next to each other.

Should I assume the worst and do the same to all 3 snakes and their cages?? or should I try hers 1st and see?? Shes only ben here for four days.


Wow mites..........do I get a club patch now or something???



05/20/07  06:38am

 #1287615


Kojak
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   Message To: Dorrox   In reference to Message Id: 1287577


 OK it happened

LOL, no patches issued at this time.
As for your question, yes, I would move your other tanks away from that one immediately. Into another room would not be over kill in my opinion.
As far as the dish soap water combo, I’m not so sure about that. I do know from what I read from most of the regulars on here that have owned BP’s for many years and have multiple BP’s, that "Prevent-A-Mite" is the most effective way to get rid of mites permanently. The bad thing about the dish soap and water is that it may kill all the visible mites. But, the gestation period for mites can be upwards of 30 days. So you can have another outbreak even after all the ones you see are gone. This is due to the ease of which mites can be transfered, and reproduce in an area other than directly within your BP’s tank/tub. For the same reason, you may have already inadvertently transfered mites to your other snakes.
I would separate, and keep a close eye on your corns. Get a can of PAM as it is referred to. This can be ordered online. I don’t have the exact site, but you can do a search for it, or ask for GA_Ball_pythons or Rabernet and they can give you the correct site.
Good luck and keep us posted.
05/20/07  08:19am

 #1287648


Frankykeno
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   Message To: Kojak   In reference to Message Id: 1287615


 OK it happened

Also notify the source you got this baby ball from. "Thanks" for the free gift of mites...grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
05/20/07  09:01am

 #1287651


Frankykeno
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   Message To: Frankykeno   In reference to Message Id: 1287648


 OK it happened

Considering what Provent-A-Mite will cost to have shipped to you (and it works, the other crap really doesn’t), I’d be insisting on some sort of compensation for your costs and all the work to clean and treat multiple snake enclosures. Getting mites with a snake is NOT acceptable so don’t let whoever sold you this snake "sell" you that story either. Mites are NOT common on snakes, mites can be a vector for disease transmission and they are just not good and no one should sell you a mite infested snake. You might want to consider a fecal float at some point to check for internal parasites if you are concerned this snake is a recent baby import or has not been kept in good conditions.
05/20/07  09:04am

 #1287686


Dorrox
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   Message To: Frankykeno   In reference to Message Id: 1287651


 OK it happened

Thanks for the feed back guys. I did a bath in water and a little Dawn, then wash sink out, clean water, swim swim swim , clean out again, clean water , swim swim swim. I then ran paper towel over her and a few dead mites were found.

Toss everything inside her cage out and bleach/water mix filled the tank outside and sat for about an hour. Wash the tank in the tub( human tub not snake "tub") lol with soap and dried it all out .

Newspaper bottom and a small kids sneaker cardboard box hide, I did reuse her water bowl after 15min in VERY hot water and soap. She is now upstairs away from the corns and laer will check them cafefully.

The grown mites are dead , will have to wait and see if they reacure(sp?) Was planning on calling Vet tomorrow morning anyhow so will have them check for eggs and stool for internals.

The petstore will be hearing from me as I buy all my stuff and feeder mice there but there are several places to go to.

Been a long day 12hr night shift at work came home to puppy doody on floor then mites



05/20/07  09:50am

 #1288123


LoftLizard
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   Message To: Dorrox   In reference to Message Id: 1287686


 OK it happened

Wow... sorry to hear about that. I can imagine it was an absolutely exhausting experience. Physically and mentally.

I agree with FK, I would be asking for compensation. Most stores have a health gauarantee, and considering the implications of mites (not just on this reptile, but on the rest of your collection), I would ASSUME that it would fall within that realm.

If you can get them to pay for a vet visit, I would definitely push for it.

And if they offer you an exchange... just blink and say "sorry, I already have mites and I don’t need anymore thanks".

Good luck,
Bruce
05/20/07  06:06pm

 #1288263


Rockyhorror
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   Message To: Dorrox   In reference to Message Id: 1287686


 OK it happened

it’s all a part of the lovely herping world. fortunately i haven’t had to deal with it yet. and really after twelve hours, where did you expect the puppy to go? hope it didn’t get yelled at.
05/20/07  07:56pm

 #1288301


Frankykeno
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   Message To: Rockyhorror   In reference to Message Id: 1288263


 OK it happened

Unfortunately since you found adult mites, you’ll most likely have a hatch of more mites within 30 days. I would definitely have a word with that pet store and demand some sort of compensation (do not let them sell you Reptile Relief...it’ll kill adult mites but does NOTHING to kill eggs or stop a re-hatching). Personally I’d demand some sort of compensation for your time and costs since they sold you a mite infested snake (and there’s no way they don’t know they have mites, one snake has mites, they all have mites). Mites are not common so don’t let them give you that line (most pet stores will try that "mites are no big deal, all snakes have mites, blah, blah, blah). I’ve got 15 snakes from three different species and I’ve never seen a mite.
05/20/07  08:16pm

 #1288819


Dorrox
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   Message To: Frankykeno   In reference to Message Id: 1288301


 OK it happened

Rocky my wife (stay at home mom) lets her and my other adult dog(great danes) out at 11-12 at night and I get home at 5am to let them out. She has had a "problem" recently not a big deal but it sucks after a long night to clean that (she doesn’t get yelled at for that stuff)

Toingth after all the cleaning I found 3 small mites on her and NONE with the others, fingers crossed. Calling Vet today for a checkup and see if they give me something or I’ll order PAM when i get home.
05/21/07  05:13am

 #1288879


Marg
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   Message To: Dorrox   In reference to Message Id: 1288819


 OK it happened

*raises hand* I believe I was the most recent to have had the company of mites *sigh* ...however, I Did get the PAM fore mentioned and here is where I got it from    www.entirelypets.com
It cost $19.95 + shipping (I got the 2-3 day shiping for $5.99 [$28.50 w/tax etc]).
Worked in approx 9-11 days... TC was soaking (thought it was `cute’ till I found out Why she was soaking) ..anyway... use As Directed!!! inapropriate use is Toxic to All animals (including Fish). Is like `spraying the house for bugs’ ...takes a week to 2 weeks to work. Remember it does Not go On the snake... I would treat all enclosures to be on the safe side.
Sorry you have "company" hope ya get rid of them soon...
P.S.
    I did the ’soap trick’ (as per suggested by Franky - thanx) and did seem to help relieve TC
:o)
05/21/07  08:16am


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