How do I know they're gone!

[shell477]

I've been treating my coastal for mites for a couple of months now, (first time wasn't successful) and for that time he's been in a tub with just paper towel, his hide and water.

My husband has built an amazing enclosure for him and we are keen to put him in there, but I want to be absolutely sure the mites are gone before I do, otherwise it will just be a nightmare. Cleaning a tub is much easier than a massive tank.

So how do I know when they are definitely gone? Or is it just impossible to be sure.
I'm being really paranoid about it.

Cheers for your help

Shell

 

[kawasakirider]

Can't they hide under the scales? Maybe take him to a vet to be 100% sure?

 

[gillsy]

You don't need a vet, just check under the chin in the folds. How are you treating him?

 

[shell477]

I have been using mac mite spray.

I fail to see them. Becuase he is fairly new and has dark parks and black flecking, i just dont know if im looking at mites or not.

I only knew he had them becuase i use a ceramic water bowl and he was soaking to kill them

 

[guzzo]

Is there anything in his waterbowl.....or in his plastic enclosure you could try white paper as substrate some would show up I'm sure.

 

[shell477]

Hasnt been any in his bowl lately. Im just worried about any that are hiding near his head and maybe the spray didnt reach them.

Im really just being paranoid.

 

[guzzo]

I would suggest if you have been treating him for a couple of months in an isolated plastic enclosure and can't see any mites in the water or paper towel you would probably be fine

 

[andyscott]

1st of all you have to ask where they came from, weather it was from a substrate mix you used, new cage furniture ect.
Once know/assume where they came from, then you can treat them properly.

If you snake had them when it was in the big enclosure, the big enclosure needs to be cleaned as well.
If you dont clean it right the 1st time you wont get rid of them.

Mites can/will hide in the smallest cracks in an enclosure (also in substrate)
To be sure they are gone, remove every thing from the enclosure.
spray a can of T.O.D into the big enclosure (enough to create a dense fog) and close the door for 24 hours.
Then wash out the enclosure with warm soapy water, (wipe dry with clean paper towel)
To be sure, repeat this process.

Anything you want to keep as cage furniture needs to be sprayed with T.O.D as well,
left to sit for an hour and then soaked in the bath overnight.

Now move to the snake (These steps will NOT harm your snake).
Get 2 tubs with lids and fill one with warm water (26-30 degrees)
Put the snake in the dry tub, spray some T.O.D into the tub (light fog) and close the lid for 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes take the snake out and soak it in the tub with water for 10 minutes.
Dry it off with clean paper towel. Do this again, once snake is 100% dry.

Repeat all steps again in 5 days (mite gestation time) and you should be 100% mite free.

 

[gillsy]

I would throw out what ever spray you are using, get Top of Descent, and spray him and the enclosure leave it a few days see if there are any of the paper towel.

If there aren't put him in a white pillow case, and let him squirm around in there for a few hours. If you can't see any black flecks in the pillow case your right to go.

1st of all you have to ask where they came from, weather it was from a substrate mix you used, new cage furniture ect.
Once know/assume where they came from, then you can treat them properly.

If you snake had them when it was in the big enclosure, the big enclosure needs to be cleaned as well.
If you dont clean it right the 1st time you wont get rid of them.

Mites can/will hide in the smallest cracks in an enclosure (also in substrate)
To be sure they are gone, remove every thing from the enclosure.
spray a can of T.O.D into the big enclosure (enough to create a dense fog) and close the door for 24 hours.
Then wash out the enclosure with warm soapy water, (wipe dry with clean paper towel)
To be sure, repeat this process.

Anything you want to keep as cage furniture needs to be sprayed with T.O.D as well,
left to sit for an hour and then soaked in the bath overnight.

Now move to the snake (These steps will NOT harm your snake).
Get 2 tubs with lids and fill one with warm water (26-30 degrees)
Put the snake in the dry tub, spray some T.O.D into the tub (light fog) and close the lid for 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes take the snake out and soak it in the tub with water for 10 minutes.
Dry it off with clean paper towel. Do this again, once snake is 100% dry.

Repeat all steps again in 5 days (mite gestation time) and you should be 100% mite free.

Or do that, I just couldn't be bothered writing that all!

 

[shell477]

Thanks guys.

he had them when i bought him, didnt realise for a couple of weeks though.

He has only been in the tub for that whole time.