Well Gaboon, I never had mites until late December, after I had just bought some new snakes. I didn't know how to deal with them properly. I tried the nice methods such as oil baths and simplistic setups etc but that is just not enough to eradicate the wee buggers. You cannot kill mite eggs lurking in their vivs or tubs with extra virgin olive oil...

I don't go to shows or meetings or gatherings for these reasons. You never know what other people bring along to these mass reptile events where many many species from so many different sources are brought together. I remember when I used to attent the Scottish Exotic Animals Society. I was buying a male tri coloured hog nose from a guy at that meeting. After inspecting the hoggie it was clear something was wrong. He pooped green stuff and was quite lethargic. I never took him home with me, but instead asked for my money back. But he was in that room with many other reptiles and was treated like he had the plague.

Mites travell on clothes and anywhere they can hitch a ride until they find their next host. I don't know what precautions you could put in place at these shows? I suppose the best method would be to shower and change clothes immediatley before going near your own collection after returning from such an event.

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Aye, this is what I will be doing if I go to another show.

Best of luck with the rest of your lot! And thanks again for the really good read .

Honestly at a busy packed show I doubt there is much that could be done at the actual show as all it takes is for a mite to be on top of a tub or on the edge of a table then someones top or trouser to catch it and then to go and look at another table and the mite to fall off and thats it, one mite infestation in the making. At shows when buying for me I quarantine, when selling I like to actually sell everything otherwise it means they too need to go into quarantine. I really hate mites, why we cant have a national mite elimination month is beyond me, erradicate it in cb populations and then everything imported to be treated for them. Would make everyones life so much easier, but sadly will never happen.

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Oakelm Exotics
Keeper and hobby breeder of:
-Royal Pythons
-Kenyan Sand Boas
-Cornsnakes
-Childrens Pythons

www.oakelm.co.uk
oakelm@sky.com

I think the best thing to do is treat ALL your snakes for mites every few months. I know I will be doing it every 6 weeks for the next wee while since the latest infestation was only cleared up 2 months ago. And with the added worry of any mite eggs lying around being infected with IBD from the blood of the mother mite. Whether or not mites can pass IBD onto their eggs I am not sure, but I will treat it that way.

Anything new that is brought in could and probably should be treated whether they have visable mites or not. Why take the risk? Front line is NOT that expensive. I have treated and retreated 20 snakes for the last 4 months with a small bottle. And it's still half full. And within 24 hours you will find dead mites all over the place.

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Not a bad idea! Organising that though is another matter, plus its the shows etc that are going to be whare most mites are found and brought home.

Think of when foot and mouth hit the UK... All farmers markets (and pretty much everything farmy) had disinfectant areas in place for all visitors. Not for a second assuming foot and mouth is similer in its form to that of IBD, but in terms of effort im sure some inspiration can be drawn for our sittuation.

Imagin a mass outbrake? The whole hobby could be F*cked.

the more i see about mites and how quick they spread the more i am thinking about getting a bottle of frontline to put away just in case, i might never catch them but in the chance that i do then i will have the prevention straight away and not allow them to spread.

where is the best place to buy it?

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1.1.0 Central American Boas het 66% kahl albino (Male is Pedro and Female Bo)

Mass outbreak is a very unlikley and extreme situation. IBD has been around since the 70's. It's just slightly more common these days.

The problem is this.... Some people are reluctant to pay money for expensive mite treatments. Why bother when people claim that olive oil will cure all their problems? Some people don't want to take their reptiles to vets because they get a "diagnoses" off forum know it all's. Some people don't want to get post portems done... why spend more money on a dead snake.

These are things that people need to think about. Reptiles cannot be read like a dog or a cat who is able to tell you it's in pain. Can you imagine the amount of pain Clem was in with such massive renal failure. Her bottom 3rd was rock solid byt the 5th of July yet she was barley able to respond to me gently squeezing the area to see if it was hard or soft. I don't know how long Clementine had IBD for. She only showed typical IBD associated symptoms 2 days before she died, and that was the neurological damage. How long does it take for that to happen!?

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You can get the spray bottles online if you have a vet prescription (as it is powerful stuff). Or just from your vet. I would also recommend proventamite which can be imported easily from the states. I prefer using that on the snakes environment as frontline needs to breath for a few days before putting the snake back in the viv.

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I personally treat when they first turn up, it makes sense too, great fun when you have an already grumpy snake from the days travels. But personally im very old school as use ivermectin, find nothing beats it, plus been using it for so long that I know how much a snake of a certain weight can take, love it though really does do the job. I tested a branded reptile mite spray that shall remain nameless and it didnt even slow the little sods down. Been ages since I last saw a live mite, thankfully!!!

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Oakelm Exotics
Keeper and hobby breeder of:
-Royal Pythons
-Kenyan Sand Boas
-Cornsnakes
-Childrens Pythons

www.oakelm.co.uk
oakelm@sky.com

really sorry to hear about your loss. I guess it something that all of us think about, ie the what ifs and buts etc etc.
Im impressed that your willing to keep the collection going, but IMO is it worth it? You said that you would be happy to start up a new collection once all yours have passed on, but this could take 20yrs in theory. Are you willing to not travel to shows, see other breeders etc etc etc.
I guess IBD is so much like AIDS is peoples mind. We all know that we are not going to catch AIDS by keeping contact with infected people etc, but it would also be in the back of your mind. Whether thats right or wrong.
I think its very impressive that you have stated what has happened, as i believe there will be many other people that try and hide this kind of stuff.
Do you think it will affect how you perceived in the hobby?

sorry if these are weird questions, but it just has my mind thinking. Sorry its 4.30am where i am.....

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Dave
Helsinki, Finland
12.18 BRBs
2.6 CRBs
My girlfriend said no snakes in the living room
She didnt say i couldnt build another room in there
www.arcticmorphs.com