| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| jenjen23 |
Posted - 17/02/2013 : 21:37:27
Hi,
I know there a loads of posts on this, reading so many has probably made me a bit paranoid too, but not sure what to do!
I just had my corn out, then after putting him back noticed a small black bug on the screen of my phone as I was texting, definitely a bug as it had visible legs and was moving about. I got Basil out again (after squishing the bug!) and had thorough inspection, I couldn't see any more at all. I haven't ever seen him soak in his water bowl or anything, but could the bug have been a snake mite? I use aspen from a pet shop but have had the bag i'm using for a couple of months, and had heard the mites couldn't survive for long without a host? I did pop into the local shop a couple of weeks ago, although didn't handle anything, but I guess I could have transferred some on me? I haven't had any contact with any other snakes other than that though.
Should I treat pre-emptively with Callingtons, or wait to see if I see any more? I'm particularly paranoid as i'm getting a baby boa soon, and obviously don't want to end up with an infestation.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
(Apologies to any one who reads this on the other forum also  ) |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 18/02/2013 : 18:11:28
I suspect just a rogue bug who has crept out of a corner and onto a place where you will see it :P
And bugs in bags for that long will be harmless to the snake and more interested in eating the wood. |
| jenjen23 |
Posted - 18/02/2013 : 17:36:24
Thanks, Ok I'll be extra vigilant and see if I can spot any more, but will hold off treating for the minute. Definitely getting some Callingtons in stock though!
 |
| a33272 |
Posted - 18/02/2013 : 10:17:13
If it was big enough to see legs its proberly not a mite. If u got mites at an adult stage ud see more than one aswell. Best places to look for mites is water bowls around eyes an vent. It is possible to pick mites up from shops an it has happened. Until u can see obvious signs an symptoms of mites I wouldn't worry.there's plenty of other insects etc that it could be.
There's also no reason why you couldn't keep a tin of callingtons in a cupboard though just invade it does ever happen. |
| Donnie |
Posted - 17/02/2013 : 22:32:21
Personally I wouldn't treat unless I was certain that I had mites. You are correct in that the mites will not be in your substrate if you have had it for a couple of months as I think their life cycle is 20 something days (I can't find the article I want with the details on) There is a possibility of getting them from a shop even though you didn't handle anything but it will be quite slim. I would keep an eye on basil to see if you see any more and then treat if you do find some. Others may say treat as a preventative and I know people who use prevent a mite for that, but that lasts for 30 days and is not so easy to get hold of over here. Just make sure that when you get your new snake you keep to strict quarantine procedures for both of their sakes |
