Possibly mites? Help!

[-blaine-]

So just a second ago i took my corn out of her cage to be handled. Everything was as normal until i spotted one, just one, tiny tiny black bug on her. I haven't seen any more on her or in the cage in the past.

Is this a mite? Could it have been just one?

Everything is kept clean. Only things i can think of is the decor, hides, and water bowl that were purchased from the pet store.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[-blaine-]

I just scanned her cage with a bright light and didn't see any bugs in her water bowl, around her hides, on her, or in the substrate.

Could it be something else or an isolated incident?

She is still eating and not acting bothered by anything.

[Lyion]

There are many types of bugs that could be in there. If you only saw one, I would guess its a coincidence. But I tend to rinse off the stuff I buy, just in case.

[-blaine-]

Tomorrow i will clean and wash everything just in case!

Any behavior to look for when dealing with mites?

[Lyion]

Not that I know of. You could always rub her down with a damp towel and see if anything comes off.

[diamondlil]

Tomorrow i will clean and wash everything just in case!

Any behavior to look for when dealing with mites?

Snakes with mites often spend a lot of time soaking in their water bowls, probably because of the irritation.

[-blaine-]

Snakes with mites often spend a lot of time soaking in their water bowls, probably because of the irritation.

I also read that somewhere. She has not been doing this at all that i've seen and she is pretty active.

I took everything out of her viv and soaked it in hot water, throw out all old aspen and cleaned tank with hot water, then replaced the substrate and the decor.

When cleaning i didn't see any kind of bugs in the water. She just ate two pinkies like normal so maybe it was isolated or i luckily caught the could be beginning of an infestation!:o

[diamondlil]

I also read that somewhere. She has not been doing this at all that i've seen and she is pretty active.

I took everything out of her viv and soaked it in hot water, throw out all old aspen and cleaned tank with hot water, then replaced the substrate and the decor.

When cleaning i didn't see any kind of bugs in the water. She just ate two pinkies like normal so maybe it was isolated or i luckily caught the could be beginning of an infestation!:o
Sounds good. Make sure you check around her eye, mites burrow in the space right around the eyeball and are easier to see there. If you are still worried then food-grade diatomaceous earth (a powder you can get from gardening or animal feed stores) will kill insects and mites without harming the snake

[j33p3rz]

I would take the substrate out everything out but a hide and water until you know for sure.Lay down some paper towels they are easier to spot.Check in the water bowl real close too.When I found out mine had mites they soaked in the water bowl.There is different methods to rid these mites if thats what you have,I used NIX done a great job for me.

[beautifullywild77]

Yes there is behavior that comes with mites, excess rubbing of the head on anything and everything. (Mites love to hide under the chin in between the scales and around the eyes) And like Diamondlil said they soak a lot to drowned the mites and sooth the irritation of the scales.

Even with just one mite, you could still have eggs. I would get mite off or something like that. Put her on paper towels. and treat the tank everything 3 days. You can spray down some paper towels and put them in a zip lock bag for the next tank cage. Mite eggs hatch every 2 weeks. I would also put vasaline at the top of her tank. Mites cant pass through it to get out of the tank.

[BloodyBaroness]

Tomorrow i will clean and wash everything just in case!

Any behavior to look for when dealing with mites?

Yes. There are several behaviors to look for, these are the key ones.

1. Unusual restlessness in the snake (usually in the early stages of infestation).
2. The snake seeking to immerse itself in water more often than usual.
3. Unusual digging activity.
4. White specs of dust (mite droppings on the snake's scales).
5. Scales taking on a raised appearance.
6. The snake loosing their appetite.
7. A rapid loss in condition (as infestation advances).
8. General listlessness (usually in advanced cases).

Soaking the stuff in the tank does nothing, wiping the snake down does nothing.

This is one of the better sources for actual helpful info out there: http://www.anapsid.org/mites.html (http://www.anapsid.org/mites.html)

[beautifullywild77]

Thank you BB :D I knew there were other behaviors.

[BloodyBaroness]

I'm the behavior champ! :D

Trust me, I went through mites last year and it was not horrible, just a pain in the freaking rear to get rid of.

Soaking the snake in water is like spitting on a bonfire to try and put it out. Not going to help.

[beautifullywild77]

Yes, they are a pain. When we rescued Serj, he was infested with them. It took a good 2 months of labor intensive process to get him free and clear and not to infest the others in the house.

[-blaine-]

Yes. There are several behaviors to look for, these are the key ones.

1. Unusual restlessness in the snake (usually in the early stages of infestation).
2. The snake seeking to immerse itself in water more often than usual.
3. Unusual digging activity.
4. White specs of dust (mite droppings on the snake's scales).
5. Scales taking on a raised appearance.
6. The snake loosing their appetite.
7. A rapid loss in condition (as infestation advances).
8. General listlessness (usually in advanced cases).

Soaking the stuff in the tank does nothing, wiping the snake down does nothing.

This is one of the better sources for actual helpful info out there: http://www.anapsid.org/mites.html (http://www.anapsid.org/mites.html)

I haven't really seen any of these things. The only time she is active is around 9PM to about 11PM and during the day she is always hiding or laying under the heat lamp.

The only other thing on the list that i question was the digging. She never has been one to burrow but every now and then she will push her nose in the aspen as she was looking to dig, but never would. It's not very often, just every now and then. Should i be concerned?

Is there any way to be proactive against mites?