he-ribbon or she-ribbon?

[EasternGirl]

I always knew it wasn't you, Nate. Some snakes just give you a difficult time at first. Hydra will come around.

[EasternGirl]

Btw...be careful not to overfeed the new snake...

[aquamentus_11]

was thinking no more food til the weekend then we'll try some pinky

[aquamentus_11]

so, i took Scylla back yesterday because I found mites on her and now I'm torn. I REALLY liked her, but she was a potential threat to Hydra and the rest of my home. She and her cagemate were sprayed down yesterday and put in a different cage that had never had mites. If I could be sure that she was mite-free, I would go back for her. The only way that I will trust that's she mite-free is if I am the one doing the spraying Steve suggested Provent A Mite to treat the cage, but I'll have a new cage that won't have had any exposure to mites (Pro Products is a great business, btw. One of the guys there, Bob, took an hour out of his day to explain his products to me over the phone and shoot the breeze about herps. I recommend them, just be careful with the pesticide as I hear it's very very toxic if used improperly.) Rid was also recommended, but that was to treat the cage/substrate too, even though it will also have secondary effects on the snake. What I need is a product to treat the snake herself. What would people recommend?

[aquamentus_11]

I'm such a wimp, can't even stick to my decision to get rid of her for a whole day.....don't look at me

[guidofatherof5]

Treating the snake isn't good enough. This is why treating the enclosure is paramount.
The mites will spend time on the snake (for it's blood meal) but the eggs will be laid in the substrate.
This is why Provent-A-Mite is so effective. Even if you miss a mite on the snake it will be killed once it drops to the substrate.
In my opinion any chemicals put on a snake puts the snake at risk.
Doing a visual inspection and wiping the snake down will remove many of the mites and doesn't put the snake at a great risk.
By treating the enclosure you also prevent the mites from spreading to other areas only to return to the snake later.
Just my opinion.

[kimbosaur]

I'm such a wimp, can't even stick to my decision to get rid of her for a whole day.....don't look at me

Soooooooo...she's back?!

[aquamentus_11]

i definitely agree, but the snake won't be in any substrate until after i treat her for mites. she's at the store right now and she will be coming to a brand new cage. i'm bringing her home and treating her, then when she's mite-free she'll go into a tank that has never seen mites. so, you're saying to treat her, then treat her new, clean substrate. seems very thorough (which i like). how long does a spray-on treatment for the snake itself take to kill mites? if it takes awhile, then i can understand treating the substrate, too. i'll probably keep her on paper towel for a week or two now.

[aquamentus_11]

Soooooooo...she's back?!

after class, so this afternoon sometime.

[Selkielass]

Mites can be a pain to get rid of if you mess around with Human lice treatments and other herbal and detergent based substances.
The human medications can also be risky- especially with small snakes.

I have heard nothing but good things about pro-vent, so long it as used carefully, and according to package instructions- the enclosure must be completely dry before furnishings and snake are returned to it.

I like Repti-meds clove and detergent based mite treatment for cleaning my aquariums and wiping down my snakes when they need to look and smell their best, but I use it as a cleaner and mite repellant. I doubt it would be very effective against an actual infestation.

She sounds like a wonderful animal- well worth the investment in a safe and effective treatment in my opinion.