Mite Treatments

[wolfspirit]

good question Maureen,

does the oil suffocate them?

I would much prefer this treatment to using Frontline...

[PDR]

Yes, I will elaborate a little. I normally put the snake into the smallest container that it will comfortably fit. The idea is to completely submerge the snake and rock the container back and forth in order to cover the snake and especially the head. I know from experience that snakes can hold their breath for a long time (I have seen cases where it has taken 45 min to knock a cobra out with halothane gas prior to an operation).

The mites will die and float to the surface within a few minutes, both adults and baby mites. I then hook the snake out of the oil and put it into an old plastic dustbin filled with rags. This mops up most of the oil. I then must the snake into a clean cage lined with plenty of newspaper (soaks up more oil). I have not seen any evidence to indicate to me that the oil irritates the snake in any way, if anything I think it probably helps in the healing process. The snakes often go into slough so afterwards and once they have shed they look pristine.

All of the chemicals that I have used over the years rely upon their toxicity in order to kill mites and who really knows what damage these can cause? The oil works by quickly drowning/clogging up the air-ways in the exoskeleton of the mites.

[wolfspirit]

thank you for sharing this, it is great info...

and i dont like chemicals either...

[Maureen Collinson]

Nice one Paul.

Thank you,

Mo.

[chris25]

Originally Posted by PDR

Yes, I will elaborate a little. I normally put the snake into the smallest container that it will comfortably fit. The idea is to completely submerge the snake and rock the container back and forth in order to cover the snake and especially the head. I know from experience that snakes can hold their breath for a long time (I have seen cases where it has taken 45 min to knock a cobra out with halothane gas prior to an operation).

The mites will die and float to the surface within a few minutes, both adults and baby mites. I then hook the snake out of the oil and put it into an old plastic dustbin filled with rags. This mops up most of the oil. I then must the snake into a clean cage lined with plenty of newspaper (soaks up more oil). I have not seen any evidence to indicate to me that the oil irritates the snake in any way, if anything I think it probably helps in the healing process. The snakes often go into slough so afterwards and once they have shed they look pristine.

All of the chemicals that I have used over the years rely upon their toxicity in order to kill mites and who really knows what damage these can cause? The oil works by quickly drowning/clogging up the air-ways in the exoskeleton of the mites.

clarification please...

how long is it advisable to submerge the 'patient' in the cooking oil for?

is this method ok for snakes in slough?

i have a small mite issue discovered yesterday.i have bathed the snake in water and isolated the snake in an old pillowcase,gutted the viv and washed down with very dilutted disinfectant along with plants hides etc etc.

and the snake(BRB) has been treated for now with mite off,doing the oil bath tomorrow.

i spot clean every day,fresh water regular and still the mites came , whats the most common reason.

my substrate is orchid bark,and my humidity is generally between 75/90 dependant on spraying.
one thing im not keen on is my use of spagnum moss although i micro it still think maybe it harbours stuff in it.
also micro my bark,5 mins full power for a 5 litre bag...

any ideas and questions answered much appreciated

[royalpython]

Originally Posted by PDR

Yes, I will elaborate a little. I normally put the snake into the smallest container that it will comfortably fit. The idea is to completely submerge the snake and rock the container back and forth in order to cover the snake and especially the head. I know from experience that snakes can hold their breath for a long time (I have seen cases where it has taken 45 min to knock a cobra out with halothane gas prior to an operation).

The mites will die and float to the surface within a few minutes, both adults and baby mites. I then hook the snake out of the oil and put it into an old plastic dustbin filled with rags. This mops up most of the oil. I then must the snake into a clean cage lined with plenty of newspaper (soaks up more oil). I have not seen any evidence to indicate to me that the oil irritates the snake in any way, if anything I think it probably helps in the healing process. The snakes often go into slough so afterwards and once they have shed they look pristine.

All of the chemicals that I have used over the years rely upon their toxicity in order to kill mites and who really knows what damage these can cause? The oil works by quickly drowning/clogging up the air-ways in the exoskeleton of the mites.

Do the snakes not tongue flick when submerged in the oil, and is cooking oil dangerous if swallowed?? Interested to know how long you leave them in there also.

[PDR]

Originally Posted by royalpython

Do the snakes not tongue flick when submerged in the oil, and is cooking oil dangerous if swallowed?? Interested to know how long you leave them in there also.

I have never timed how long I submerge the snake in the oil for. There is always an air gap at the top of the container so the snake can always grab a breath of air as the need arises. Once the snake heads for a corner of the container I will tilt it so that the snake has its head completely under the oil for 10 – 20 seconds at a time. I would estimate that I keep the snake in the oil for something in the region of 4-5 minutes. Yes they do occasionally tongue flick, even while under the oil. I tend to wait until I see the mites starting to lose their hold on the snake and float to the surface of the oil and then remove the snake from the oil.
I don’t see any reason why you should not use this treatment on a snake that is in slough/shed..... It might soften the skin a bit. I have never had any problems either short or long term from using oil and I don’t know of any toxic properties, after all this is the same stuff you use to cook with.

[PDR]

Originally Posted by chris25

clarification please...

how long is it advisable to submerge the 'patient' in the cooking oil for?

is this method ok for snakes in slough?

i have a small mite issue discovered yesterday.i have bathed the snake in water and isolated the snake in an old pillowcase,gutted the viv and washed down with very dilutted disinfectant along with plants hides etc etc.

and the snake(BRB) has been treated for now with mite off,doing the oil bath tomorrow.

i spot clean every day,fresh water regular and still the mites came , whats the most common reason.

my substrate is orchid bark,and my humidity is generally between 75/90 dependant on spraying.
one thing im not keen on is my use of spagnum moss although i micro it still think maybe it harbours stuff in it.
also micro my bark,5 mins full power for a 5 litre bag...

any ideas and questions answered much appreciated

I’m not sure how you expect to get rid of mites while “spot cleaning” and using substrates that can harbour mites. I would suggest that you either completely strip the viv or move the snake into new accommodation. I would only use newspaper, or better still something like sheets of white “bench coat” (as used in Labs) or large sheets of sketching, drawing, poster paper...... basically anything that the black mites will easily show up against. It might be worth going out and buying a couple of “Really Useful Boxes” and housing the snake in one of those while you are trying to get rid of mites (don’t forget to put some air-holes in the boxes).
At work all of our snakes are kept on a newspaper substrate and we never “spot clean”. All cages are cleaned thoroughly or exchanged for a fresh cage.

[chris25]

Originally Posted by PDR

I’m not sure how you expect to get rid of mites while “spot cleaning” and using substrates that can harbour mites. I would suggest that you either completely strip the viv or move the snake into new accommodation. I would only use newspaper, or better still something like sheets of white “bench coat” (as used in Labs) or large sheets of sketching, drawing, poster paper...... basically anything that the black mites will easily show up against. It might be worth going out and buying a couple of “Really Useful Boxes” and housing the snake in one of those while you are trying to get rid of mites (don’t forget to put some air-holes in the boxes).
At work all of our snakes are kept on a newspaper substrate and we never “spot clean”. All cages are cleaned thoroughly or exchanged for a fresh cage.

i think there seems to be some confusion here!!

until i discovered the mites i used the orchid bark and spot cleaned.i do not consider my house keeping of the vivarium to be sub standard and as such the question posed was given the conditions in which my brb is kept what in your opinion is likely to be a cause of the mites?(personally i think it may be the use of orchid bark and the humidity),AS WELL AS SPOT CLEANING I CLEAN DOWN THE VIV AND DECOR AND RENEW THE BARK EVERY 4 WEEKS.

obviously since i found the little blighters i have REMOVED THE SUBSTRATE AND REPLACED WITH PAPER,CLEANED THE VIV DOWN AND TREATED THE BRB....with out wanting to sound a little offish with you i think you have misunderstood my post.....if i have worded it in a way as to cause you confusion then apologies(THE SPOT CLEANING AND ORCHID BARK WERE PRE MITE DISCOVERY)

i certainly would not expect to succesfully sort the issue by spot cleaning an infected housing and continuation of the use of orchid bark!!

i hope this has clarified the position

[STRATJAZZTELE]

Personally I find it inexcusable for people to sell on animals that they KNOW have mites, It happened to me last year (I'll mention no names). I know how to deal with mites through experience, others though may loose young snakes through this pasrasite. Good informative post, don't forget to quarantine any "new" snake and keep your collection mite free even if the seller is a looser!