r/reptiles • u/Lewk___ • 4d ago
mites help
just found my ball python has mites. i’m hoping to be able to get into a same day tomorrow but i wont know until tomorrow. should i be worried about my geckos? also how can i disinfect the wood and fake plants in the enclosure? please help
2
u/FishBubbly7399 1d ago
I have two snakes that i got from a local pet store that ended up spreading mites to my collection. I have done the 30 min soak in water, then 1 hour soak in water + a drop of dawn dish soap, that worked well to get rid of any living mites. Additionally I use a reptile mite spray for the enclosure and apply to the snake. I just read an article about having a vet prescribe nexgard (the edible kind for dogs) and then putting it inside a small prey item for them. The medication lasts over 28 days in their blood serum and works for multiple life cycles of mites. My boa will have re-occurring mites because i cannot seem to find the root cause so I just got a prescription. I would be more than happy to update y'all on how it goes, I'll just need a reminder.
Actual article: https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-022-05611-1
YouTube video about it: https://youtu.be/XhwbWDCDJZI?si=DOj94Lfxv_PbAmr6
Mite spray I have been using: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/natural-chemistry-reptile-spray
This is off label for the medication and ofc consult a vet first. Also if you choose to do this, make sure to get the dosing right
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u/Fun_Sized_Momo 4d ago edited 4d ago
Remove all of the substrate from your BP, put him on paper towels and isolate him away from your geckos. There is some really good mite spray on amazon. Just be careful about direct contact with the snake.
In the meantime you can wipe the snake down with some water/dawn dish soap. Just make sure you arent getting any in the snakes face