Strange behavior

[EasternGirl]

As I mentioned in my thread, Sadie has been soaking a lot. Now tonight she has been rolling around all over the tank...at first it scared me...I thought she was doing some sort of death roll. But she is rubbing her head around and slithering sideways...I think she may be trying to get a shed started. The oddest thing is...now Cee Cee has started doing the same exact thing...and she just shed last week. Could she be mimicking Sadie's behavior...or should I be worried about them?

[jitami]

Sounds a bit scary. I'd be worried too. Sure hope some of the more experienced members chime in soon! What did they eat last? The same thing or different? Any new cleaners/pesticides/chemicals? I mean it sounds feasible that Sadie could be trying to start a shed, though I've never seen any of mine roll... are they housed together? Could it be mating behavior?

[snake man]

Could it possible be mites making them itch?/

[guidofatherof5]

Sounds like mites to me.

Soaking + rubbing =(usually) mites.

Add the fact that you had an occurrence not too long ago I would say they are not gone.
Provent-A-Mite

She was not a soaker here on the Ranch.

[ProXimuS]

I would probably think mites. I don't know too much about them, but I know I've heard the soaking is a sign of mites. And if she is rubbing, and Cee Cee started also, it seems like maybe that is them trying to itch. Maybe check the water Sadie has been in, and see if anything is in there:confused:

[Invisible Snake]

Oh yeah that's right you recently had an outbreak of mites, that has got to be it, sorry. Best of luck to you in killing those vampires.

[guidofatherof5]

Provent-A-Mite

On sale $15.95.
It is a must have in a snake room especially since mites have been found. It will be the best money you've ever spent on your snakes.
One application usually does the trick. Then you will have the peace-of-mind knowing the mites are dead and gone.
This stuff works when the other products fail.

Pro-Products | Provent-a-Mite (http://www.pro-products.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=59)

[snake man]

Sorry to hear they are back :(.

[Light of Dae]

Steve... do they pay you for advertisements? lol I know, I know.


Sounds like mites. Oh wait, everyone else already stated that :P

[thamneil]

You Americans are very lucky to have provent-a-mite! We can't sell/buy it here in Canada. I've heard that it works every time!

[Invisible Snake]

You Americans are very lucky to have provent-a-mite! We can't sell/buy it here in Canada. I've heard that it works every time!

I'll trade you some provent-a-mite for universal healthcare :D

[thamneil]

Sounds like a deal! As long as I keep the right to own tetrataenia :)

[EasternGirl]

I thought the same thing...and I have been looking and looking for mites...but I don't see anything. I picked up Cee Cee and looked her over carefully...checked my hands...looked in the water...looked on the hides...I just don't see any. I will do a paper towel test here in a bit.

[guidofatherof5]

Don't wait to see them. Treat with Provent-A-Mite.

[EasternGirl]

Dammit! It's mites. Arghhhh. The only thing I could do right now was to put the girls in a tub with some soapy water and let them swim around a bit...and move them into a bigger tub with paper towels, water, and a hide. I have to get ready to go to class tonight. When I get home, my mother is going to help me move their large, heavy tank and spray it down with the mite stuff and I'll let it sit overnight. My concern right now is that they are still itchy...how do I effectively get the mites off of them?

[EasternGirl]

Sorry Steve...I saw that you called...I have to get ready for class. I will have to call you tonight or tomorrow.

[ProXimuS]

Sorry to hear this Marnie. But I am glad it's been caught pretty early. Hope all goes well!

[jitami]

At least now you know what it is and know it's not life threatening - at least not now that you're treating it, anyway. Good luck.

[thamneil]

Not the end of the world! Mites happen! Just bust out the PAM.

[mikem]

When you treated the babies, you should have went ahead and treated all of them. Also, after the first spray, you have to do it again in 2 weeks. I usually spray a third time just for peace of mind.

You have to be persistent with these little buggers or they'll bounce back after the inital treatment.

[EasternGirl]

I know, I know. I just hate using the chemicals...it scares me. I totally forgot to treat the babies again. I will do it again...I have to find time to do all of this with school. Now...about the girls...Mike, you had mentioned treating the substrate. How do I go about doing that?

[mikem]

spray and let it dry. That's it :)

Make sure it is dry before putting the snakes back in! Can't stress that enough.

[guidofatherof5]

Fan out the enclosure multiple times before you place the snakes back in.

[EasternGirl]

I have had the enclosure airing out for 24 hours....should that be sufficient? So...I just spray the stuff on aspen or carefresh and wait for it to dry? How long should I wait for it to dry?

[mikem]

I think Steve is talking about after spraying and letting it dry, then fan to get any odors out. I'd wait a couple hours. You can touch it to see if it's dry.

Watch this video for a couple of minutes. It'll show you how to spray: Rosy Boa Setup & Provent a Mite Alternative - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOe8ibTZI78#t=7m15s)

[EasternGirl]

Thanks for the video link...that helps. I sprayed the tank down last night and now it is in a room with the fan setting on the air conditioner. I checked the tank...it seemed to have a bit of a film on it...is this normal? I am also letting the aspen dry in the same room. I planned on putting them back in tonight or tomorrow.

[guidofatherof5]

Hope you are able to get rid of them.
I'm all for saving money but in this situation I suggest you don't cut corners. Provent-A-Mite is proven and developed for reptiles.
RID isn't.
Provent-A-Mite is well worth the cost.
Just my opinion.

[mikem]

Do what you want. I've personally used Rid for years and it has eliminated every outbreak without ever harming any of my snakes. I'll just leave it at that. There's chemical free ways of dealing with mite elimination as well. Just use your googling powers :)

[mikem]

Steve, I apologize if that post came off as being rude. The "Do what you want" comment I made wasn't necessary. I've been grumpy all day and that attitude followed me over to the forum. I'm sorry.

[guidofatherof5]

Steve, I apologize if that post came off as being rude. The "Do what you want" comment I made wasn't necessary. I've been grumpy all day and that attitude followed me over to the forum. I'm sorry.

Not a problem. I certainly meant no disrespect in my post and didn't want to create any controversy.;)

[Invisible Snake]

Steve, I apologize if that post came off as being rude. The "Do what you want" comment I made wasn't necessary. I've been grumpy all day and that attitude followed me over to the forum. I'm sorry.
Not a problem. I certainly meant no disrespect in my post and didn't want to create any controversy.;) One of the many things I like about this site. Other forums are filled with narcissistic people who aren't aware of how their posts are interpreted.

[EasternGirl]

Well...I already have a bunch of Rid...and honestly...I can't afford a down payment on a free lunch right now. Money is bad. So I used what I have. It looks to me so far as if the babies do not have mites at this point. I will double-check again though. The girls are back in their enclosure...they seem okay. Poor things don't have any plants...just two hides...I still need to treat the plants and their old hides and stuff. But they are happy to be back in the enclosure.

[taharial]

o.O Silly question, would the mites living on snakes also take a dog as a host? Could they come from mice? Doggy is battling fleas, so I'm kind vampire paranoid right now. 'Tis the season, you know? ;)

And does Prevent-a-mite have exp dates or can I keep a can forever until needed?

[guidofatherof5]

Reptile mites are specific to reptiles. Your dog has no fear.
Checking my can of it I see no dates anywhere. I would think if there were and expiration date it would he listed.
That is a great question and I will call the company on Monday to get a definitive answer.

[taharial]

Actually, my dog is part chicken. She is afraid of everything. :D

Thanks for checking on the exp Steve. Much appreciated.

[guidofatherof5]

Actually, my dog is part chicken. She is afraid of everything. :D

Thanks for checking on the exp Steve. Much appreciated.

Sent an email off to Pro Products. Should have an answer in the next couple of days.

[twgrosmick]

I managed a pet store for a few years at which point I used provent a mite that was quite a few years old. While I wasn't able to find an expiration date either I was not able to eliminate the mites with it. They came right back. That being said, once we ordered a new stock of it we got rid of them right away. I would try to get a new can if possible. Mites aren't something to take lightly. They are specific to reptiles and your other pets have no worries (unless they are reptiles )

[guidofatherof5]

I managed a pet store for a few years at which point I used provent a mite that was quite a few years old. While I wasn't able to find an expiration date either I was not able to eliminate the mites with it. They came right back. That being said, once we ordered a new stock of it we got rid of them right away. I would try to get a new can if possible. Mites aren't something to take lightly. They are specific to reptiles and your other pets have no worries (unless they are reptiles )

Amen.
They are deadly.

[guidofatherof5]

Sent an email off to Pro Products. Should have an answer in the next couple of days.

Hi Steve,

It has a minimum shelf life of 10+ years. We have cans that were made during the developmental stage back in the 80's which are still effective. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Bob @ Pro Products
promist@comcast.net
www.pro-products.com (http://www.pro-products.com)
845-628-8960

[twgrosmick]

Hi Steve,

It has a minimum shelf life of 10+ years. We have cans that were made during the developmental stage back in the 80's which are still effective. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Bob @ Pro Products
promist@comcast.net
www.pro-products.com (http://www.pro-products.com)
845-628-8960


Well there ya go. I know the cans I used were less than 10 years old an I found them to be ineffective. Might have been a bad batch but I would prefer to use new stuff when possible.

[ConcinusMan]

I've never heard of it not working.:cool: